“Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin is filled with ethical responsibility. Sonny’s brother is the main focus of the story. However, Baldwin did not reveal his name which adds to the focus of his responsibility instead of his identity. Sonny and his brother grew up in Harlem where opportunity is rare. It is hard to move up in society from Harlem. Most children in Harlem have their dreams and goals crushed at an early age. Sonny was no different.
When Sonny’s dad died, Sonny’s mother told his brother to look after Sonny and not to let anything happen to him. She revealed that his uncle had died, and his father had never been the same. Sonny’s brother had the responsibility of his mother’s desire for him to look after Sonny.
Sonny’s brother felt responsible for the children in the neighborhood in Harlem. Although he received an education and became an algebra teacher, he never left his old neighborhood. He wanted to make a difference and help those students that the world had forgotten.
Sonny wanted to escape from Harlem. He tried to make a living playing Blues on the piano, but no one took this aspiration seriously. When he fell into despair, he turned to drugs. Sonny and his brother lost contact, but Sonny’s brother read about Sonny’s arrest which was drug related in the paper. His sense of failed responsibility over Sonny’s arrest was strong.
When Sonny was released from prison, his brother took up the responsibility once again. He insisted that Sonny reside with him and his wife until he completed an education. Once again, Sonny’s ambitions to play the piano were not taken seriously. Sonny started playing blues on the piano at a bar. This was his release from the past and from his drug addiction.
Sonny’s brother finally accompanied him to hear him play the blues. The realization of Sonny’s talent and ability to speak to people through his music brought an understanding to Sonny’s brother. The responsibility that Sonny’s brother felt for Sonny was finally turning into respect and admiration for his brother. He knew that Sonny was going to be alright, and he knew that Sonny needed to follow his dreams.
The ethical issues in “Sonny’s Blues” include the issues of poverty, racism, and crime in Harlem. The drug use by Sonny and his incarceration is another ethical issue in this story. The responsibility Sonny’s brother felt towards his family and his community were another ethical issue. Baldwin wove these issues into “Sonny’s Blues” to show the disparity as well as the hope that abounds in our lives.
Sipiora, Phillip. “Sonny’s Blues.” Reading and Writing about Literature. Pearson Education, Inc., 2002. 79-99.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Frozen Tomb
Jack London’s “To Build a Fire” displayed one man’s cultural shock which led to his death. People and animals adapt to their culture and habitat. When we venture outside of our familiar surroundings, we find that many things are different. Climate is a huge variable that affects our habitat and culture. The man in London’s story was traveling with only a dog along the Yukon trail. The temperature was around -75 degrees. The man was warned by the “old timer” as well as his dog, but he did not heed their warnings. Instead, his culture, the culture of the dog and the “old timer,” as well as the culture of the Yukon went to battle.
The “old timer” was familiar with the area. He advised the man not to travel alone when the temperature was low. Because the “old timer” was of the area, his cultural knowledge was that of the dangers present. The dog was had reservations about traveling in the cold whether as well. The dog’s instincts told him that it was not wise because the temperatures were too low. However, the dog was loyal to the man because of his fear of being whipped. The dog reluctantly followed the man on his journey.
The Yukon was a culture of its own. Even though it was not a living creature, it had more destructive ability than any other creature present. The snow covered patches of thin ice which led to freezing water. The snow made it harder to find wood to burn and harder to keep fires burning when the wood was available. The wind added to the chill. The temperature caused tobacco juice to freeze on the man’s face when he tried to expectorate. The Yukon does not take prisoners, it enforces the death penalty.
The man traveling through the Yukon had tunnel vision. He saw things but did not perceive their threat until it was too late. He thought that he was invincible. His culture up until that point had brought him to this belief. He did not heed the warnings of the “old timer” possibly thinking that the man was old and did not remember the strength of his younger years. He did not care enough about the dog to notice his reluctance and take warning from it.
In the end, the Yukon took his life. Slowly, his extremities froze causing his inability to start the life saving fire he craved. Once he realized he was going to die if he did not find warmth, he thought of killing his only companion, the dog, in order to use his skin as protection. However, because of his prior cruel treatment of the dog, he was unable to get the dog to trust him enough to steal his warmth. When he did get the dog, he was unable to hold anything to use to remove the skin because the Yukon had stolen his use of his fingers. In the end, he continued to freeze until the life left his body. The culture of the Yukon won over the invincible culture of the man when all was said and done.
Sipiora, Phillip. “To Build a Fire.” Reading and Writing about Literature. Pearson Education, Inc., 2002. 149-158.
The “old timer” was familiar with the area. He advised the man not to travel alone when the temperature was low. Because the “old timer” was of the area, his cultural knowledge was that of the dangers present. The dog was had reservations about traveling in the cold whether as well. The dog’s instincts told him that it was not wise because the temperatures were too low. However, the dog was loyal to the man because of his fear of being whipped. The dog reluctantly followed the man on his journey.
The Yukon was a culture of its own. Even though it was not a living creature, it had more destructive ability than any other creature present. The snow covered patches of thin ice which led to freezing water. The snow made it harder to find wood to burn and harder to keep fires burning when the wood was available. The wind added to the chill. The temperature caused tobacco juice to freeze on the man’s face when he tried to expectorate. The Yukon does not take prisoners, it enforces the death penalty.
The man traveling through the Yukon had tunnel vision. He saw things but did not perceive their threat until it was too late. He thought that he was invincible. His culture up until that point had brought him to this belief. He did not heed the warnings of the “old timer” possibly thinking that the man was old and did not remember the strength of his younger years. He did not care enough about the dog to notice his reluctance and take warning from it.
In the end, the Yukon took his life. Slowly, his extremities froze causing his inability to start the life saving fire he craved. Once he realized he was going to die if he did not find warmth, he thought of killing his only companion, the dog, in order to use his skin as protection. However, because of his prior cruel treatment of the dog, he was unable to get the dog to trust him enough to steal his warmth. When he did get the dog, he was unable to hold anything to use to remove the skin because the Yukon had stolen his use of his fingers. In the end, he continued to freeze until the life left his body. The culture of the Yukon won over the invincible culture of the man when all was said and done.
Sipiora, Phillip. “To Build a Fire.” Reading and Writing about Literature. Pearson Education, Inc., 2002. 149-158.
'Till Death Do Us Part
“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin depicts the gender relationships surrounding marriage. In marriage, the typical role of the wife was to care for the home, children, cooking, cleaning, shopping, and anything else the husband desires. The role of a man is to work and support the family. The man is the king of the home and makes the decisions.
There are four characters in “The Story of an Hour” including Josephine, Richards, Brently Mallard, and Louise Mallard – the main character. Josephine (Louise’s sister) and Richards (Brently’s friend) deliver the news of Mr. Mallard’s death to Mrs. Mallard expecting her to be devastated by the news. In the beginning of the story, Chopin depicts Mrs. Mallard as being frail because of her heart condition. The heart condition simply magnifies Mrs. Mallard’s fragility due to her gender. Josephine frets over Mrs. Mallard assuming that she is breaking down emotionally from the tragic news. Richards felt a duty to be there for Mrs. Mallard in her time of need.
Originally, Mrs. Mallard was shocked and distressed by the news of her husband’s demise. However, once alone she began to look forward to her freedom from the bondage of marriage. Women were expected to be married to a man or to the church. It was improper for women to be unchaperoned if they were single. Being a widow would give Mrs. Mallard a freedom which she had never experienced. The duties of being a wife could be overwhelming. Mrs. Mallard no longer had to worry about these things. She could cook what she wanted for dinner. She could sit up as late as she wanted. She could go wherever she wanted. She did not have to dress up unless it suited her.
When Mr. Mallard walked through the door, it was the end of her. Chopin did not give us enough details to know why Mrs. Mallard had a heart attack and died. We could surmise that she died from the shock of seeing a ghost, from relief at her husband being alive, or from despair at her dream of freedom being demolished.
We do know that gender played a huge role in this story. Gender is the main reason for Mrs. Mallard’s assumed frailty. Gender is the reason she was excited about freedom. A man would not need to be released from freedom to live life for themselves. In the end, Mrs. Mallard was free from her marriage, just not the way she had thought.
Sipiora, Phillip. “The Story of an Hour.” Reading and Writing about Literature. Pearson Education, Inc, 2002. 199-200.
There are four characters in “The Story of an Hour” including Josephine, Richards, Brently Mallard, and Louise Mallard – the main character. Josephine (Louise’s sister) and Richards (Brently’s friend) deliver the news of Mr. Mallard’s death to Mrs. Mallard expecting her to be devastated by the news. In the beginning of the story, Chopin depicts Mrs. Mallard as being frail because of her heart condition. The heart condition simply magnifies Mrs. Mallard’s fragility due to her gender. Josephine frets over Mrs. Mallard assuming that she is breaking down emotionally from the tragic news. Richards felt a duty to be there for Mrs. Mallard in her time of need.
Originally, Mrs. Mallard was shocked and distressed by the news of her husband’s demise. However, once alone she began to look forward to her freedom from the bondage of marriage. Women were expected to be married to a man or to the church. It was improper for women to be unchaperoned if they were single. Being a widow would give Mrs. Mallard a freedom which she had never experienced. The duties of being a wife could be overwhelming. Mrs. Mallard no longer had to worry about these things. She could cook what she wanted for dinner. She could sit up as late as she wanted. She could go wherever she wanted. She did not have to dress up unless it suited her.
When Mr. Mallard walked through the door, it was the end of her. Chopin did not give us enough details to know why Mrs. Mallard had a heart attack and died. We could surmise that she died from the shock of seeing a ghost, from relief at her husband being alive, or from despair at her dream of freedom being demolished.
We do know that gender played a huge role in this story. Gender is the main reason for Mrs. Mallard’s assumed frailty. Gender is the reason she was excited about freedom. A man would not need to be released from freedom to live life for themselves. In the end, Mrs. Mallard was free from her marriage, just not the way she had thought.
Sipiora, Phillip. “The Story of an Hour.” Reading and Writing about Literature. Pearson Education, Inc, 2002. 199-200.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Schema
Schema
Schema is the experiences that the reader brings to the story. Ernest Hemingway’s “Indian Camp” tapped into the schema of the reader. While reading this story I was touched by many of Nick’s experiences because of my own past.
The first thing that touched my resources of memory was going with simply Nick being on an outing with his father. I recall many trips with my father. We went fishing as much as possible, because my father knew that was my favorite pastime. I was also proud when my father allowed me to be his “helper” even when it probably meant more work for my father. Nick went with his father, a physician, to assist an Indian with a difficult delivery. However, Nick did not seem very enthusiastic about being a helper with the delivery.
The birth of the Indian baby also brought back tender memories of my own children’s births. Some pictures will never leave your mind. The pain and joy of a birth is hard to capture. I cannot imagine witnessing an easy birth at such a young age, but to witness a cesarean section without any pain medicine would have been a very difficult thing to process to someone of any age. This definitely aged Nick quite a bit.
Unfortunately, the Indian father’s suicide also brought back memories. I have a dear friend who has attempted suicide several times; fortunately, he has not succeeded. Suicide is a terribly painful thing which effects everyone that the suicide victim touched during their life. Suicide can even effect strangers who just read about it or hear it on the news. Nick was changed forever with the witness of this event. I think that the pain of his baby being born was too much for the Indian to handle.
Ernest Hemingway captured both life and death in “Indian Camp.” He took the reader on a journey through Nick’s visit to an Indian Camp where Nick’s father took him to an Indian camp in order for him to experience childbirth, but Nick also witnessed the suicide of the father of the baby. In the beginning of the story, Nick was very childlike. He sat close to his father in the canoe. However, by the end of the story, Nick was distant and more closed. On the trip home, he sat away from his father in the canoe. We are forever changed by our experiences. I was changed by my trips with my father, the birth of my children, and my friend’s suicide attempts. Nick was changed by these same things.
References
Sipiora, Phillip. “Indian Camp.” Reading and Writing about Literature. Pearson
Education, Inc, 2002. 28-31.
Skeletons in the Closet
Skeletons in the Closet
Everyone has skeletons in their closets – something they have done which they are not proud. In “Babylon Revisited” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Charlie’s plans go awry because of his past life which he had left behind. Fitzgerald brings the reader the feelings which Charlie experiences throughout his writing. The reader experiences Charlie’s anxiety over approaching Marion about his daughter’s residency, joy over Marion’s decision to allow Honoria to reside with him, and his despair when Marion rescinded her decision regarding Honoria’s residency.
When the story opens, Charlie returns to Paris after deciding that he wants his daughter, Honoria, to live with him. Honoria has been residing in the home of Charlie’s sister in law and her family. Charlie’s a widower and feels responsible for his wife’s death. He is very anxious because he does not think that his sister in law, Marion will concede to Honoria residing with him. Marion also believes that Charlie is responsible for her sister’s death. Charlie had to convince Marian that he had changed his meandering ways and no longer went out drinking. The meeting with Marion was extremely tense; however, she did agree to consider the proposition.
Marion’s decision to allow Honoria to live with Charlie brought great joy to him and Honoria. They were both bubbling over with excitement. Unfortunately, the excitement was short-lived. Charlie’s former drinking buddies paid a visit to him while at Marion’s home. His friends had not reformed their lifestyle, as Charlie had. They were trying to convince Charlie to go out with them. Because of their intrusion, Marion rescinded her decision to allow Honoria to live with him. This left Charlie in deep despair. Although in his mind he still wanted to attempt to move Honoria into his home, he returned to his past watering holes.
Fitzgerald captured this roller coaster ride of emotions as Charlie experienced them. The reader could easily feel apathy for his gain and loss. The past has a way of catching up with everyone at some point no matter how fast they run from it. Once a person travels in unsavory circles, their peers try to keep them at their level. They view improvement as insult to their own lifestyles. People should guard their reputations as well as their actions in order to avoid it catching up with them.
References
Sipiora, Phillip. “Babylon Revisited.” Reading and Writing about Literature. Pearson
Education, Inc, 2002. 6-19.
Education, Inc, 2002. 6-19.
Friday, January 12, 2007
About Patrick Grieshop
My name is Patrick Grieshop. I am a non-traditional student enrolled at Macon State College. I am working on my Bussiness Management degree. I am currently a manager for Papa John's Pizza in Perry, GA. I have been working for the company for about 13 years, and decided I would get the peice of paper to go along with the experience that I have.
One of the most interesting things about me is that I teach Sunday School to 4 and 5 year old children every Sunday morning at a local Church. My wife teaches 1st and 2nd grade Sunday School. My wife and I have five children together. Her oldest daughter is almost 17. Then my daughter is next at 14 years old. Then we both have 11 year old boys - I adopted her son. The boys are a month apart. We then have the baby who is almost 4 years old. Needless to say, with mine, hers, and ours; we are similar to the Brady Bunch.
My wife is a junior in the education program at MSC. With school work and kids, we have little time together. But, in our little spare time, we like to spend peaceful days fishing.
Good luck to everyone.
One of the most interesting things about me is that I teach Sunday School to 4 and 5 year old children every Sunday morning at a local Church. My wife teaches 1st and 2nd grade Sunday School. My wife and I have five children together. Her oldest daughter is almost 17. Then my daughter is next at 14 years old. Then we both have 11 year old boys - I adopted her son. The boys are a month apart. We then have the baby who is almost 4 years old. Needless to say, with mine, hers, and ours; we are similar to the Brady Bunch.
My wife is a junior in the education program at MSC. With school work and kids, we have little time together. But, in our little spare time, we like to spend peaceful days fishing.
Good luck to everyone.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)