Evaluation of Movement in a Literary Work

The Importance of Being Earnest


Often times, in a literary work, movement of location plays a significant role in the meaning. In Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, the element of a physical journey enhances and emphasizes aspects of the meaning of the work as a whole, or the absurdity of lives based on social status and propriety. Location is a key motif established in the beginning of the play when Algernon and Jack each reveal their alternate identities, and how they physically leave to escape the stringent decorum of Victorian society. The separate personas allow the men to act as the they wish, while still maintaining their standing in society. When tea time with Lady Bracknell becomes too cucumbersome, Algernon goes bunburying in the country to shed his duties without shredding his reputation. This parallels the actions of Jack, however he leaves the responsibility of his ward, Cecily, in the country to play the part of Earnest, a young bachelor in London. But the absurdity of shirking responsibility does not solely lie within Algy's and Jack's habitual sojourns, but when the life of Jack and Earnest collide.

Wilde satirizes the ridiculousness of the Victorian era through the use of concrete change within the play. The notion that two grown men would invent a separate identity to take a break from their life for a while is absurd, and the fact that Algy and Jack believe it is completely normal and practice bunburying quite often makes it even more ludicrous. The play already focuses on the trivial and vacant lives of the characters, commenting on the wrongness of that lifestyle, and the facet of nonsensical physical journey adds to the social commentary. The only way the two men can deal with the Draconian rules of manners established in the society is to become a different person every now and then.

The change of location gives rise to the reoccurring theme of hypocrisy. Algy and Jack, in their respective communities are both ideal portraits of unmarried men for the time period. The improper way Bunbury and Earnest behave, is frowned upon by people like Algy and Jack. However, in order to protect reputations and high social standing, they must be hypocritical; as they proclaim the impropriety of Bunburys and Earnests with one hand, with the other, they revel in the mishief-making.

The collision of Jack and Earnest, and the folly that ensues, is only possible through a change in location. The play shifts from London to Jack's country estate, where Algy is parading as Earnest and Jack is both Earnest and Jack. The the entire section is fraught with criticism directed toward the ludicrous lifestyle of the characters.

Wilde's use of physical movement within The Importance of Being Earnest, represents the convoluted and trivial lives of the characters. The constant hypocrisy and molting of responsibility by Algy and Jack satirize the Victorian era. The commentary and meaning of the work as a whole are conveyed through the ludicrous need for location change, for bunburying.



 

Poetry Analysis #2

"Poem" by William Carlos Williams
Pg. 340-341 # 291
Devices Used: Structure and Imagery





The "Poem" by William Carlos Williams draws parallels between simple, inane actions, and treacherous journeys, with tentative stanza structure and gentle imagery, to create the illusion of a cat cautiously and wobbly making its way over a jamcloset and into a immensely deep and empty flowerpot. The halting structure of the "Poem" contributes to the cat's air of caution, by breaking up lines every few words; as "carefully/then the hind/stepped down//into the pit". The modest imagery, "climbed over/the top of/the jamcloset" and "into the pit/of the empty/flowerpot", subtly add to the struggle of the cat, as in reality, it would be easy for the cat to step into the flowerpot. Williams also creates the image of that cat itself acting hesitantly, by over exaggerating the slow movements of the cat, such as with "first the right/frontfoot//carefully/then the hind". Overall the timid effect created, contributes to the message conveyed of small actions being great obstacles and meaning to others.

I find the "Poem" by William Carlos Williams quirky and a small wonder. My personal interpretation of the piece is that sometimes you may see someone doing something mundane or of little consequence, however to them, that action may be difficult or important to them.

Well, and I love cats.

Poetry Analysis #1

"Good Times" by Lucille Clifton
Pg. 227 # 209
Devices Used: Repetition and Irony




In "Good Times", Lucille Clifton, utilizing naive repetition and unaffected irony, makes a enlightening statement about how children view struggles. The ironic juxtaposition between the economical struggles and the speaker's remarkable happiness is made clear through the repetition of "good times, good times, good times" following a description of something that is not normally considered a good time. The child is glad that his/her family is together, that is enough. The rent can go unpaid, the electric may only have just turned back on, but it is alright because there is still family. The irony of this is uncanny, as many people would consider a "good time" a period of material prosperity, but this child is happy with bread, family, and "dancing in the kitchen/and singing in the kitchen". The final statement of the poet, "oh children think about the/good times" cements the conclusion of children viewing the world and struggles with untainted gratefulness, viewing with "good times".

I am drawn to this poem, whether it be for the child-like innocence colloquial language, or the quiet and  naive child in me that is grateful for those good times, good times, good times. Maybe, I too strive for those moments where everything may not be smooth, but it is laughter and togetherness. This poem is a reminder to me, for when my steps become unstable and I feel like I cannot find the sun, that I will always have good times.

My Thoughts #1

The Handmaid's Tale







Now, I am just going to put this out here first: if this society's ideology ever comes to fruition, I would probably be one of the first people in line to be hanged.

With that said, let me continue on with my reaction to this intriguing novel.

I really enjoyed Atwood's style of writing. It is very different to what I am used to reading. The narrator was not insane but I felt hints of unreliability, which made sense upon learning the entire novel is actually a oral recording. The unreliability stemming from the unwillingness of Offred to talk about certain matters. This style of writing thoroughly demonstrated the shame, guilt, and regret Offred must feel.

Multiple times I wanted to chuck my copy at my wall. Usually in response to one of Serena Joy's, the Aunt's, or the Commander's ridiculously deluded comments. Seriously, they need a high dose of sense pumped intravenously into their moronic bodies.

The entire plot put a bad taste in my mouth, between the organized violation of women, the hoity toity Wives, the insufferable Commanders and there downright misogynist opinions, infidelity (I don't care if you got dealt a bad hand (that was really you're fault to begin with) and you're a man and you've got needs, no, no, no, no, you're disgusting) and destruction of sensible society as we know it.

Nick bothers me. He does nothing but be a silent rebel with his hat, rolled sleeves, and cigarettes, and then it turns out he is an Eye. Seriously Nick, you disappointed me. I liked him in the beginning and now, he bothers me. Did he save her? Did he lie and kill her? Why couldn't he and all the other able, young men revolt against the old, sterile geezers? Its not like it would be hard; the Commanders would probably all drop dead form a heart attack or mesothelioma or whatever stops senior citizens from breathing. And its not like they have anything going for them, being chauffeurs and banned from women and love.

This novel made me feel so much, and while I may hate it and detest almost every character and the very concept itself, I really enjoyed. I judge a novel based on how much it makes me feel, and usually the ones that make me feel the most anger, pain, and grief, I end up enjoying the most. The Handmaid's Tale was also a very eye-opening read; it warns of what may come from following a trend or law or idea to the very extreme.

Passage Picks #1

The Handmaid's Tale







"I'm sorry there is so much pain in this story. I'm sorry it's in fragments, like a body caught in crossfire or pulled apart by force. But there I nothing I can do to change it.

I've tried to put some of the good things in as well. Flowers, for instance, because where would we be without them?

Nevertheless it hurts me to tell it over, over again. Once was enough: wasn't once enough for me this time? But I keep on going with this sad and hungry and sordid, this limping and mutilated story, because after all I want you to hear it, as I will hear yours too if I ever get the chance, if I meet you or if you escape, in the future or in heaven or in prison or underground, some other place. What they have in common is that they're not here. By telling you anything at all I'm at least believing in you, I believe you're there, I believe you into being. Because I'm telling you this story I will your existence. I tell, therefore you are."(Atwood 267)




Among the reasons I find this passage to be so moving, so powerful, is because it demonstrates the power Offred wields through her words. While her story is terrible and macabre, she is mighty for telling it. She has the ability to impact the person who listens. After all she has been stripped of, she remains unconquerable as long as their is someone to hear her story. I also believe it is this power that gave Offred strength to continue her struggle, that someone will one day hear her, know her.

The first two paragraphs resonate strongly within me that in life there is pain, there is horror, there is evil, but we just have to see the beauty too. We cannot let ourselves be sucked into the monster our world has become.

The passage basically means that even though her story is terrible, it needs to be heard. Just by her relaying it, reliving it, she has created hope, she has created a listener. No matter what comes to her, she will still be alive. She will live in her story, impacting and affecting listeners along the way.

Literary Log #1

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood




Does the end justify the means?

A reoccurring theme throughout the novel is the idiom, the end justifies the means. As all people with a morally correct compass, I severely disagree with this ideology. I believe Atwood makes a statement with her novel arguing against this Machiavellian principle. The entire setting of The Handmaid's Tale takes place in a society that uses appalling methods to "fix" the "damage" that has plagued the people. To fix a society of reproduction issues, select women have to be alienated and serve as child-bearing vessels, violated during "holy ceremonies". An end to woman objectification has been found; now they have the freedom from the horrors that befell women before. No skin will be shown, no careers to be had, and no choices to be made. Yes, women will be free from the excruciating and cruel power to choose. There is a solution to improper household. Women will only have one job, because that is all they are good for. Marthas will take care of household duties, Wives will be the instrument for their husbands to climb the social and economic ladder, Handmaids to bear the children, Aunts to teach and train, and Jezebels--because men will be men, and they have needs to fill. If mistakes are made, rules broken, the women and men will be hanged or taken to the colonies, scrounging in filth and radiation. After all, thinking independently and freely is corrosive and hardly conducive to a productive society. But faith and religion too have come to attention. As previously stated, it is dangerous to think outside the infinitesimal minds of the frame workers of Gilead. So religion, one of the bones in Gilead's skeleton, too has to be regulated. For the safety of the people. Love has been removed from existence, has become taboo. As did the pleasure that comes with it, now a sin and forbidden. Never again will someone be alone, for all marriages will be arranged. Does this not sound like utopia? A world that will "benefit" the future generations is all but destroying the current. Now, will this "end' really justify the means; "You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs" (Atwood 211). Will the the omelet be good enough.  Each aspect of Gildean is meant to control under the guise of creating a utopia, safe from crime, sexuality, and freedom. This is Margaret Atwood's statement; the omelet will never taste as rich when the price of the broken eggs was great. The result will never be able to validate the actions and course taken to achieve it, if the actions and course were corrupt and immoral.