1. Jose Arcadio Buendia is a very important character in this book because he always seems to be exploring and looking for new knowledge. He wants to progress forward into more modern times, but his wife is there to keep him grounded and realistic. Jose Arcadio Buendia found Macondo and tried to connect it with civilization. In chapter three the entire becomes infected with insomnia and amnesia. They begin to label everything so to help aid their memory. Melquiadas returns one day with an antidote to cure the insomnia. One of the signs read “God exists,” and Jose Arcadio Buendia went on a quest to find a daguerreotype to prove His existence. This right here is a sign that perhaps Jose Arcadio Buendia is insane. It is not until chapter 4, however, that this is evident. His constant research into the unknown causes him to slip into insanity. For this, he is tied to a tree, perhaps the tree of knowledge. Solitude is a way of the town to deal with all of these changes in the government and communism. Jose Arcadio Buendia is a character similar to that we saw in Don Quijote. He continuously wants to experiment and progress foward to create a Utopia town, but this causes his to fall in and out of sanity.
2. A major theme in this story would be realism versus magic. Both are used to portray the the world as Jose Arcadio Buendia and Marquez see it. Reality is different for everyone. Jose Arcadio’s wife sees the world for what it really is, while he wants to create a perfect town heading towards modernity. The Gypsies brought not only technology to Macondo, but also magic. They blurred the line between reality and fantasy for Jose Arcadio Buendia. They offered him connections to technology, to science, and to the world outside of the town. Whether a person chooses to see the world for what it really is, magic and religion seem to always have an impact on their perceptions.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Grimm's Fairy Tales (Day 2)
1. In “The Tale of One who Traveled to Learn what Shivering Meant” and in “The Golden Good” we have the “3’s” that keep appearing. In fairy tales it is common for things to happen in 3’s. “The Tale of One who Traveled to Learn what Shivering Meant” there were 3 knights, the youth was allowed 3 things to take with him into the castle, which he spent 3 nights in, and it took him 3 instances to learn what shivering was. And at the end there were 3 chests full of gold. The young prince received one chest and was wed to the king’s daughter. In this fairy tale we have the youngest son coming out on top and winning the bride. In “The Golden Goose” there were three brothers who went out to get wood. The third brother, Dummling” only had cake made of ashes and sour beer, yet he shared with the hungry old man. For his kindness, this man rewarded Dummling with a golden goose. Other examples of 3’s in this story are when the 3 daughters of the landlord at the inn tried plucking a feather from this goose. And a third time the number 3 appeared in this story was when Dummling had to demand his bride from the kind 3 times. There was also a moral to this story that those who are good-natured and caring will prosper in life. Dummling, the youngest brother, was the only who gave food and drink to this old man. In return, this old man helped Dummling get his bride.
2. In “Rapunzel” and “The True Bride” they began as many fairy tales do with “once upon a time.” These stories were about beautiful young girls who were being controlled by an evil witch and a step-mother. “Roland” is very similar to “The True Bride” because Roland and the “true bride” are both forgotten by then their princes until they sing, like Roland does, or kiss her prince, like the true bride. When Roland sings her prince remembers that she is his true bride and in “True Bride,” once she kisses her prince on his cheek he recognizes her, too. In both fairy tales these awful hags caused the maidens to be separated from their princes, but in the end the princes cannot forget their true brides and they end up living happily ever after.
2. In “Rapunzel” and “The True Bride” they began as many fairy tales do with “once upon a time.” These stories were about beautiful young girls who were being controlled by an evil witch and a step-mother. “Roland” is very similar to “The True Bride” because Roland and the “true bride” are both forgotten by then their princes until they sing, like Roland does, or kiss her prince, like the true bride. When Roland sings her prince remembers that she is his true bride and in “True Bride,” once she kisses her prince on his cheek he recognizes her, too. In both fairy tales these awful hags caused the maidens to be separated from their princes, but in the end the princes cannot forget their true brides and they end up living happily ever after.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Grimm's Fairy Tales (Day 1)
1. These stories have become so internationalized because of the way they were written and the affect they have on children. Fairy tales often start off with “Once upon a time” and end with a happy ending. By beginning the fairy tale in such a way in engages the child’s mind and allows him to use his imagination. Although, the Grimm’s fairy tales were much more violent and graphic than the Disney versions, they portrayed a positive message and moral. There are also heroes and heroines in many of these stories. The main characters have to overcome many difficult obstacles before they can achieve success. The only person that has an unfortunate ending is the villain or bad guy. For example, in “The Frog Prince” the King’s daughter was trapped under the command of the ugly frog and she and her father had to do what he requested. In the end she got fed up and threw him against the wall and he turned into a handsome prince. And in “Little Red Riding Hood” the little girl and grandmother were eaten whole by the wolf, but later let out of the wolf’s stomach by someone passing by. Her stomach was sliced open and Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother jumped out alive and the wolf collapsed dead. The storylines, organization and morals to these stories are made them so popular and wide spread.
2. In fairy tales it is usually the female’s part to play the “damsel in distress” role. Like in “Briar Rose,” “The Frog Prince” and “Snow White” the female characters usually depend on the male to come and rescue them or be there to sweep them off of their feet. After Briar Rose came out of her sleep one hundred years later a prince entered the castle and the two wed and lived happily ever after. In “Snow White” she was rescued from the old Queen by a prince who took her away with him. In many of these fairy tales the women are usually swept away by prince charming. However, in “Roland” this idea of women being chased and desired by the men is kind of subverted. The maiden was forgotten by Roland, but she continued to stay true to him. She went after him this time and assembled with all the other maidens on the wedding day. He recognized her voice and the two were able to get married and live happily together. These stories often point to the male or often times, prince, as being the hero. This is not necessarily true in all of the stories. The heroes in each story had a battle to overcome in order to have this fairy tale ending. All of these stories taught a moral and ended happily.
2. In fairy tales it is usually the female’s part to play the “damsel in distress” role. Like in “Briar Rose,” “The Frog Prince” and “Snow White” the female characters usually depend on the male to come and rescue them or be there to sweep them off of their feet. After Briar Rose came out of her sleep one hundred years later a prince entered the castle and the two wed and lived happily ever after. In “Snow White” she was rescued from the old Queen by a prince who took her away with him. In many of these fairy tales the women are usually swept away by prince charming. However, in “Roland” this idea of women being chased and desired by the men is kind of subverted. The maiden was forgotten by Roland, but she continued to stay true to him. She went after him this time and assembled with all the other maidens on the wedding day. He recognized her voice and the two were able to get married and live happily together. These stories often point to the male or often times, prince, as being the hero. This is not necessarily true in all of the stories. The heroes in each story had a battle to overcome in order to have this fairy tale ending. All of these stories taught a moral and ended happily.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Don Quixote Chapters 46-52
1. It does appear that Don Quixote has been “un-quixoticized.” In chapter 50 Don Quixote says, “I shall not enlarge any further on this subject, because from what I have said it is clear that nay passage from any history of a knight errant is bound to delight and amaze anyone who reads it. Only believe me and, as I said before, read these books, and you will soon see how they banish any melancholy you might be feeling, and improve your disposition, if it is a bad one.” Don Quixote goes on to say that by reading these books on chivalry he has only become a better person who. He has become “courageous, polite, generous, well-bred, magnanimous, courteous, bold, gentle, patient, and long-suffering in the face of turmoil, imprisonment, and enchantment.” Even though, people criticize Don Quixote for reading these books, pretending to live a life as a knight really isn’t a bad thing. He has become a better person because of it and has the intention to help anyone who needs it.
2. The first quote goes along with the theme of the story of Don Quixote not being able to distinguish fiction from reality. The only difference is that Don Quixote enjoys his fantasy life. He feels he has become a better person. The theme of people seeing his imagination as madness also keeps appearing in the closing chapters on the first part of the book. The priest always seems to have mixed feelings towards Don Quixote. He thinks he is mad, yet he listens to him and even refuses to burn all of the chivalric books. The priest says to the canon in chapter 48, “The subject you’ve broached, sir, has awoken my old loathing for these fashionable plays, which is as great as my loathing for books of chivalry, because whereas drama, should…be a mirror of human life, an exemplar of customs and an image of truth…these modern plays are just mirrors of absurdity.” The canon even said that he stopped writing books of chivalry because “the men who like reading such books and who are learned and intelligent, and also to others who are ignorant and only concerned with pleasure…have expressed their approval…I’m aware that there are more fools than wise men in the world and, although the praise of the wise few is more important than the mockery of the foolish many.” So the canon and priest are complimenting Don Quixote here and basically saying that there should be more people like him in the world. He is not the foolish one, it is everyone else that is being blind and foolish.
2. The first quote goes along with the theme of the story of Don Quixote not being able to distinguish fiction from reality. The only difference is that Don Quixote enjoys his fantasy life. He feels he has become a better person. The theme of people seeing his imagination as madness also keeps appearing in the closing chapters on the first part of the book. The priest always seems to have mixed feelings towards Don Quixote. He thinks he is mad, yet he listens to him and even refuses to burn all of the chivalric books. The priest says to the canon in chapter 48, “The subject you’ve broached, sir, has awoken my old loathing for these fashionable plays, which is as great as my loathing for books of chivalry, because whereas drama, should…be a mirror of human life, an exemplar of customs and an image of truth…these modern plays are just mirrors of absurdity.” The canon even said that he stopped writing books of chivalry because “the men who like reading such books and who are learned and intelligent, and also to others who are ignorant and only concerned with pleasure…have expressed their approval…I’m aware that there are more fools than wise men in the world and, although the praise of the wise few is more important than the mockery of the foolish many.” So the canon and priest are complimenting Don Quixote here and basically saying that there should be more people like him in the world. He is not the foolish one, it is everyone else that is being blind and foolish.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Don Quixote Chapters 36-45
In Chapter 37 it says, “Don Quixote was developing his arguments in such an orderly and lucid way that for the time being none of those listening to him could believe that he was a madman.” This part of the story is very important because for the first time Don Quixote is not seen as crazy. He realized that people see him as mad so he refrained from telling Dorotea that he slayed a giant. While talking with her, however, she told him that she was a princess. This made Don Quixote appear sane, but he became mad at Sancho for lying to him. In his speech he compares the hardships of scholars with those of “man of arms,” or militia men or warriors. He is aware that people do not believe him and think he is mad so he keeps his “madness” under control.
Zoraida is different from other females in the text in the since she is a Moor not bound by the same rules. She still does not have the freedom as far as being controlled by male figures, but she practices many religions. She appears to be a Muslim, but she acts like a Christian and wants to be baptized as one. She does not speak throughout her part in the story which could represent the lack of power she has being a female. Religion could be one aspect that she could actually control of her life. She actually makes the move to escape from her father by having the captive actually coming and taking her. The men in the story make themselves mad over the women. Religion back then and now is often looked at as an important aspect of considering a partner. Certain religions cannot marry outside of theirs. Perhaps if Zoraida did not want to become a Christian things would have been different for her.
Zoraida is different from other females in the text in the since she is a Moor not bound by the same rules. She still does not have the freedom as far as being controlled by male figures, but she practices many religions. She appears to be a Muslim, but she acts like a Christian and wants to be baptized as one. She does not speak throughout her part in the story which could represent the lack of power she has being a female. Religion could be one aspect that she could actually control of her life. She actually makes the move to escape from her father by having the captive actually coming and taking her. The men in the story make themselves mad over the women. Religion back then and now is often looked at as an important aspect of considering a partner. Certain religions cannot marry outside of theirs. Perhaps if Zoraida did not want to become a Christian things would have been different for her.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Don Quixote Chapters 28-35
One quote that goes along with Don Quixote’s madness is in Chapter 30 when
Cardenio says to Dorotea, “But isn’t it extraordinary how this unfortunate hidalgo believes all these lies and fictions, just because they imitate the style and manner of the nonsense in his books” (279). But the priest makes a point when he says, “So as long as you don’t get him started on his chivalry, nobody would say that he wasn’t a man of excellent understanding.” These quotes are significant because everyone keeps calling Don Quixote mad (like Cardenio and Dorotea), but the priest tried to look past that. He admits that when it comes to chivalry Don Quixote does act like a little crazy, but he knows he is an intelligent man outside of his imaginative, chivalrous persona. Maybe the priest is able to see the better qualities in Don Quixote. Perhaps, Don Quixote understands things too well, in such a way where no one else can understand him.
In Chapter 32, the priest says, “now you can find your own way among their lies and their truths, and much good may they do you, and God grant that you don’t end up lame in the same leg that your guest Don Quixote halts on” (293). The priest talks about the book the Great Captain and how it must be a true story because it narrates the captain Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba. It is funny that the priest says that Don Quixote is “ignorant to as to read them as if they were true histories” because the truth is not many books are true. Sometimes the truth gets lost in translation. Fiction fuels the mind and is necessary for survival.
Cardenio says to Dorotea, “But isn’t it extraordinary how this unfortunate hidalgo believes all these lies and fictions, just because they imitate the style and manner of the nonsense in his books” (279). But the priest makes a point when he says, “So as long as you don’t get him started on his chivalry, nobody would say that he wasn’t a man of excellent understanding.” These quotes are significant because everyone keeps calling Don Quixote mad (like Cardenio and Dorotea), but the priest tried to look past that. He admits that when it comes to chivalry Don Quixote does act like a little crazy, but he knows he is an intelligent man outside of his imaginative, chivalrous persona. Maybe the priest is able to see the better qualities in Don Quixote. Perhaps, Don Quixote understands things too well, in such a way where no one else can understand him.
In Chapter 32, the priest says, “now you can find your own way among their lies and their truths, and much good may they do you, and God grant that you don’t end up lame in the same leg that your guest Don Quixote halts on” (293). The priest talks about the book the Great Captain and how it must be a true story because it narrates the captain Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba. It is funny that the priest says that Don Quixote is “ignorant to as to read them as if they were true histories” because the truth is not many books are true. Sometimes the truth gets lost in translation. Fiction fuels the mind and is necessary for survival.
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