IOP Journal #5

I have finally finished gathering all the information I needed for my IOP. I have written out my outline as well for what I will be saying tomorrow. All I need to do for tonight is make a powerpoint and email it to Mrs. Wecker. Tomorrow is coming faster and faster. I'm really nervous for my speech, I really need to do well. I feel that my points are strong and well supported by evidence. I just hate talking to in front of people especially my peers. I already have a hard time talking and stumbling over my words and I don't want to sound stupid. All I can hope is that I do my best and hope for the best as well! I'm kind of concerned about how I'm finishing my speech. I feel that I'm sort of abruptly ending it but I don't know how else to end it. I know that I will say thank you for listening but I feel that everyone says it and that it's a lame way to end a speech. But i'll come up with something!

IOP Journal #4

After thinking more and asking others their opinions I have found two more effects that southern dialect has on the text. When the reader reads the text they are about to better understand the cultural aspect. When the book was written this was the time of the Harlem Renaissance. Zora Neale Hurston was involved in this time period and her work reflects this. By using southern dialect the author is able to show the reader and others the way in which African Americans act. Many blacks drop of parts of words and with a strong accent this is hard to decipher. The other effect this dialect has on the text is characterization. In addition to understanding the way in which many African Americans act back in the time this book was written, it lets the reader better understand the characters and their roles. For example, Jodie is seen in a higher position in the Eatonville; however, by his speech nobody would ever know it. Jodie still uses a strong southern dialect that allows the reader to know that while he may hold a high position in the town he doesn't show it.

IOP Journal #3

Today I worked on my IOP a lot. I finalized the information I needed to gather in order to talk about the motifs i focused on. I feel that my quotes that I have found support my arguments really well. What i focused on the most was the word choice that Hurston used. She used a lot of forceful words that show the importance of each motif. What i need to work on now is the argument I will have for the style in which Hurston writes. I know that I will be talking about the beginning of several chapters that foreshadow what will happen in the following chapter, but I'm also looking at the dialect. The dialect is southern drawl and for most readers this provides some difficulty. But what I have found is that with this dialect it allows the reader to feel apart of the book and feel as if they are watching the story instead of reading it. But what else does it do?!? I still need to do some thinking.

IOP Journal #2

After working on my IOP now for a couple hours I am finally getting a better understanding of what I will be talking about. I have found two major motifs that appear throughout the book, death and nature. These two motifs have a major effect on the book but I haven't yet found what these motifs do for the book. As they appear throughout the whole book they obviously do something important. I haven't yet looked at the style in which the author writes, but I know that the author uses a lot of imagery and other literary techniques. Hurston especially uses this at the beginning of every chapter when the author continues with the story line. This is a very draining process, I just hope when I'm done with everything I feel confident with what I find.

IOP Journal #1

I'm starting my IOP today and I'm extremely lost. Their Eyes Were Watching God was the first book that we read this semester and I barely remember the plot line. I plan on skimming the book in order to remember what happens in the book. My topic is looking at the motifs and the style the book offers. I'm already aware of the style, the author uses a lot of imagery and also southern drawl. The southern drawl for some readers make the book a tough read and for others an easy read. I think that it depends on where you are from and what you are used to hearing. For me, most of family is from the south so I'm really used to hearing people talk in a southern accent. Therefore, this book was an easy read for me and unlike most people I didn't have to read the dialogue out loud. ...I have a lot of work to do!!

Blood Wedding Journal #3

"What is drama but life with the dull bits cut out?"
In the play Wild Duck drama is almost in every scene. In many tragedy plays there are parts of the story that lead up to the climax. However, in the Wild Duck there are intense scenes throughout. When Gregers is confronted by his father and immediately they bicker. Right off we can see that Gregers has a struggling relationship with his father. The play moves on and the reader knows about Gina's relationship with Old Werle and Gregers intentions with this new found knowledge. Gregers then shares this information with Hjalmar ruining his marriage with Gina. The intenisty continues with the suicide of Hedvig due to her father's misunderstood hatred for her. In this story there are no dull parts; in almost every scene something occurs between two characters or even an internal conflict with one character. The drama filled play applies to this quote directly.
The quote also applies to the play Blood Wedding. In the beginning of the play we (the reader) find the mothers feelings towards knives and we come to the understanding that her husband and son have died. The mother completely resents the idea of knives and never wants the bridegroom to handle knives. The bridegroom then is able to marry the bride, however the bride acts in the most absurd way. She acts as if she is still in love with Leonardo and later in the play the reader finds this to be true. The bride then runs away with Leonardo and because of this the play ends with the death of Leonardo and the bridegroom. The play is filled with drama and tragedy leaving out the dull bits. There is not a dull part of the play keeping the readers attention.

Blood Wedding Journal #2

Narrative structure:
The plot has been constructed through the actions of the many characters in this play. At the end of the second act the reader finds out that the bridegrooms wife has runaway with Leonardo. Up until this point I could tell that something has going on with the bride because she acts very strange and extremely reserved. Even after she has gotten married to the bridegroom and he attempts to hug her she pushes him away and tells him to leave her alone. This seems really weird to me, although it is a new marriage women don't normally act that way towards their husbands. She seems very distant and as if she is still in love with Leonardo.
There are many parts to this story. The mother and how she deals with the thought of knives and being by herself being one part. The other parts are more sub parts of the whole. Leonardo was once engaged to be married to the bride, but is now married to the wife. The maid is aware of the bride's past relationship with Leonardo and tries to stop any communication between the two because she is afraid of what could happen between them. The father just wants his daughter to be happy and for his land to start growing fruitfully. Although there are many aspects of this story, they all seem to be connected in some way.
As i have not finished the play yet i cannot address how effective the ending is and/or if there are unanswered questions. So far in the play it seems that just around two weeks or more likely less time has passed from when the bridegrooms asks mother to ask father till the wedding. Time in this situation seems to not have any significance. With such little time having gone by and so many situations taking place it seems that the characters just want to move fast in life and in some way not enjoy life at all. In today's society planning out weddings to every details makes the day of the wedding more memorable. Many couples may even go years before they decide on an actual date. However in the play the bridegroom announces when he wants the wedding to happen (that next week). This does not leave any time for either the bride or the bridegroom to plan many aspects of the wedding. Indicating that time has no significance in the play what so ever.

Blood Wedding Journal #1

My Dearest Son,
I know that sometimes I may worry too much. I only want the best things for you because you truly deserve it. Despite losing your father and brother, you are able to make me extremely happy. You are what I have to live for and make my days bright. As you will be marrying next week I am so happy for you. You have chosen such a beautiful girl that I know can make your wishes come true. She will love you and care for you as long as you two live. I know I have had my doubts about you marrying but it is only because I will miss you terribly once you have left. I understand you wish for me to come with you, but I cannot leave my husband and son. I am afraid that something might happen to them and I could not live with myself if I knew I could have prevented it. You bring joy into so many peoples hearts and I am so proud of how much you've grown up. Please know that I will always be here for you whenever you need me. I am sure that you won't because of your wife and how well equip she is. I just wish all the best for you two. I just want you to make sure that you keep her happy and keep up the land you have just bought. For it is very fruitful it is also hard to maintain. However I have no doubts that you will have no trouble with this. I would just hate to see you sad because something went wrong. I only ask of one thing after you marry, and that is to come visit me. I know that we will be divided by land but please don't ignore me. I have done all I could have to make you happy and give you everything that you've every wanted. All I ask is for your company for a little, because I will get lonely. Well, I won't bore you any longer. I love you and am proud of you.
Sincerely,
Mother

The Wild Duck Journal #5

"Not rounding off, but opening out." Comment upon the way the writers deal with the ending in relation to the whole. In your answer you should refer to two or three of the works you have studied.
In both the plays, Oedipus and The Wild Duck the authors both create events throughout that lead up to the final pages. In Oedipus, after finding out he had in fact fulfilled his prophecy he gauged out his eyes and wanted to be exiled. Oedipus only acted in this way due to how horrible his life turned out to be. Oedipus had married his mother and killed his father without even knowing it. He thought that he had escaped his fate by moving to a different city, but moving caused him to make it come true. Throughout the play the author adds small details (i.e. the mountains in which Oedipus wants to be exiled to are the mountains were his whole prophecy started) to further the readers interest and develop the story.
The Wild Duck ends with Hedvig shooting herself in her heart. This is significant because the way in which she killed herself was the way she was planning on killing the Wild Duck. Hedvig kills herself in the end because her father, Hjalmar wants nothing to do with her due to the fact he is unsure if she is really his daughter or not. Gregers tells Hjalmar the truth about Gina and Old Werle's relationship and with this new information Hjalmar leaves almost instantly. After not coming back for a day he walks in to try and get the things he needs and then leave again. Just like the play Oedipus, The Wild Duck uses small details that in the end prove to have significance (i.e. the way Hedvig killed herself). These two plays both have key events that lead up till the tragic ending, in both cases the death of one or more characters.

The Wild Duck Journal #4

What I'm tracking is the motif of dark/darkness and what it does to the story. In the play, The Wild Duck up till Act 5 I have only seen three areas where the motif of dark appear. For example, "Gregers: Not quite that. I wouldn't say you're wounded; but you're wandering in a poisonous swamp, Hjalmar. You've got an insidious disease in your system, and you've gone to the bottom to die in the dark" (3.170). In this passage Gregers is talking to Hjalmar about Hjalmars situation and how he is unaware of the complete truth. When he says that "you've gone to the bottom to die in the dark," Gregers means that this lie has dug such a deep hole for Hjalmar to sit in the he cannot get out of it and it will eventually ruin him. Hjalmar is in the dark about his wife's relationship with old Werle and when he eventually finds out what Gina had done, he is disgusted and wants absolutely nothing to do with his wife and daughter.

What I've noticed about what I'm tracking is that it is harder than I expected. In Oedipus there were many instances where this motif of dark was mentioned but in The Wild Duck I found I have to read a lot closer to find the same motif. I am surprising happy that I have to read the play so much closer because since I'm not the biggest fan of reading I am able to get into the plays. I feel that the hard part of me will be connecting the plays together through this motif of dark/darkness. I can already tell that I will have to connect them together with the effects of this motif rather than how they effect the characters. But i will not know for sure until after reading the third play and finishing The Wild Duck.

The Wild Duck Journal #3

A dramatist often crates a gap between what the audience knows and what the characters know. With reference to at least two plays, discuss how and to what effect dramatists have used this technique.
In the play Oedipus there is a huge gap between what the audience knows and what the characters know. Oedipus is trying to figure out how to save the people and because of this he learns the truth about his life. But before this he had no idea of his childhood or whether or not he had fulfilled his prophecy without knowing it. Oedipus learns through messengers and shepherds that he had indeed fulfilled his prophecy, by killing his father and marrying his mother. Oedipus learns of all of this at the end of the play and in effect gauges his eyes out. But while the play develops what Oedipus doesn't know is the amount of information the audience knows. The audience is aware of Oedipus' prophecy and that he had in fact carried through with it. The only thing the audience did not know was how the news would be given to Oedipus about his terrible fate.
In the Wild Duck there is also a gap between what the audience knows and what the characters know. After Gina had quit working for old Werle they had a short personal relationship. As this was kept a secret from Hjalmar, Gregers found out the truth. Hjalmar was very thankful for everything that old Werle had done for himself and his family. Gina had not old Hjalmar of her relationship with old Werle and had no intentions of telling him. When Gregers came home and found out for sure they had a relationship he knew he had to tell his old friend. Hjalmar was blinded by old Werle's good actions that he couldn't see Gina's disgust towards him. The audience was aware of this secret relationship the whole time. The dramatist uses this technique to create interest. When the audience is aware of something the characters don't, the audience is more drawn into the storyline. While the audience has some idea of what is going to happen next they do not know how it will unravel and effect the characters.

The Wild Duck Journal #2

Dear Diary,
Today I have made it my life mission to set Hjalmar straight with his marriage. After my father asked me to have partnership in his business and to live with him, my only option was to decline. I loath him. I want absolutely nothing to do with the man and want to cut off all ties. I feel that it is extremely necessary to tell my old friend of the lies and deceit his wife has caused him. I now know the truth, Gina had some sort of personal relationship with my father and Hedvig could possibly be my fathers daughter. I only think its fair for Hjalmar to understand the actions his wife has taken and the causes of these actions. Their marriage as of right now if filled with lies and is not a healthy or true marriage. I have never seen a true marriage and only want the best for my old friend. I cannot believe that Gina would do this to him after claiming how in love she is with him. I mean why not tell him! She must be filled with so much guilt! I can only imagine how someone like her would feel due to her past actions. As i do not know what the future will hold I hope that i am making the right decision in tell Hjalmar. I do not wish to break up their marriage in any aspect, the only thing I wish for is for their marriage to be strong and nothing kept between Gina and Hjalmar. I will do everything in my power to keep them together for the sake of their child. With going blind, she does not need any other hardships in her life. Well that is all for today, I must move in to my new apartment.
Sincerely,
Gregers.

The Wild Duck Journal #1

Compare how writers in your study have explored the themes of judgment and punishment, or disguise and deceit, or love and friendship, and with what effect.
In Oedipus, Sophocles addresses love and friendship throughout the whole play. Oedipus is in love with Jocasta and has close friendships with Creon and other members of the society. With these relationships we are able to understand the importance these friendships were to Oedipus. Oedipus looks to his friends and personal relationships for not only help but also advice. Many times Oedipus wants to talk to either the messenger or the shepherd for information that they hold. With showing Oedipus valuing these relationships it relates the reader to the writing and may touch on relationships the reader may have. This play also gives great value to that of Apollo, everything Apollo says and does is the truth or right. It is the judgment of the people and chorus to believe Apollo rather than finding the truth out for them-self. The punishment of the play may be the worst type of punishment. When Oedipus finds out he has in fact fulfilled his prophecy, he has self hatred. Oedipus is so disgusted with himself that he no longer wants to be able to physically see the pain and hurt he has caused other people. The effect this has on the play shows how deep his disgust went and pushed him to make such rash decisions.
When just starting the play The Wild Duck, we can already see the relationships the characters have and the effects that come out of them. Gregers has a very weak relationship with his father and rarely talk due to business. Gregers is not fond of his father and the actions he takes; therefore, he does very little to keep this relationship. On the other hand his father tried to reconnect with him. After asking Gregers to come home and being confronted with harsh accusations, Werle just wants to move forward rather than being dragged behind with past events. This causes tension between these two characters and it can be inferred that later in play these two characters will have conflicting views.

Question #2

Do the members of the Chorus support or reject the power or Oedipus? How do you know?

Question #1

Why was the servant resistant to tell Oedipus the truth?

Oedipus Journal #4

Setting: What effect does the setting have on the story, character, theme?
The setting of this play is mainly placed inside the palace. There is talk about the mountains in which Oedipus was supposed to be killed and instead where he was saved. These mountains are a huge aspect of the story because in the end of the play Oedipus wants to be exiled to the mountains where everything started. The palace is the house of Oedipus and where the rest of his family lives. This is also important because it shows that Oedipus is willing to open his home to anyone and everyone. The historical setting of the play is at the time where the Greeks highly believed in many Gods and believed that bad things only happened when you did not obey them. This is shown in the play Oedipus many times throughout the whole play. Many of the characters including Oedipus act in ways in which they believe would please the Gods and were willing to change their ways too. At the end of the play Oedipus wants to exile himself from everyone and live in the mountains. He believes that he is the most hated man by the Gods and to no upset them he is willing to give up everything so the Gods are pleased.

Oedipus Journal #3

The story of Oedipus is being told from dialogue. The dialouge is between the chorus, Tiresias, Oedipus, Joscata, and many more. The point of view changes as each new character starts to speak. The narrative voice explains the actions that the characters take and the way in which they carry things out. The reader gets the know the characters through their reactions to situations and actions they take. For example, when Oedipus learns that he has married his mother and killed his father he is unbelievably upset with himself and the reader learns that he was caught off guard and would have never married his mother if he knew it was actually his mother. The author persuades us to like the characters by use of certain words that cannot have the reader but be sympathetic towards the different characters.

Oedipus Journal #2

I have previously not known anything about the origins of Greek theater or the way in which actors were introduced. I learned that at first plays started off with 50 men or boys that sang in a chorus. These members of the chorus talked to certain gods about their problems and asked for their assistance. The people in the chorus represented nature spirits. I learned the three main actors in plays who were: Thespis, Aeschylus, and Sophocles. Thespis was the first actor followed by Aeschylus. Aeschylus designed the costumes and settings and he wrote trilogies. Sophocles being the third and last actor who usually won the competition, he downsized the number of chorus members from 50 to 15, and had an idea of the ideal man. All of this information ties into the story of Oedipus because the chorus members in the beginning asked for Oedipus' help because he was seen as a hero. The chorus says, "I'd be insane, you know it, senseless, ever to turn my back on you" (199). In this passage the chorus is telling Oedipus of their loyalty and it would be a huge mistake it they were to betray him in any way.
Today i also learned that Sophocles was accused of mental incapacity, to be able to get his property taken away from him. This relates to the story of Oedipus as well because Oedipus is suspected of killing the King and as Oedipus denies it, he starts to question whether or not he really had killed the King. "You said thieves-he told you a whole band of them murdered Laius. So, if he still holds to the same number, I cannot be the killer" (208). In this quote Oedipus is talking to Jocasta about the said claims and says that since the prophet has told Creon that multiple men had killed the King that he himself was an innocent man. As I do not know now of what happens to Oedipus I do know that Sophocles was acquitted and it will be very interesting to see if Oedipus will be dropped with all charges of convicted.

Oedipus Journal #1

Oedipus' reaction to Tiresias claim:
Oedipus seems infuriated by the actions of Creon who was his close friend, on page 182 Oedipus goes on to say that Creon had stolen from him and wants badly to overthrow Oedipus. He only wants power to better himself while Creon wants the power Oedipus' possesses strictly for his own benefits. Oedipus then challenges Tiresias to prove his worth and credibility. Oedipus says that he was able to stop the Sphinx will no help from the birds, where as Tiresias tried so desperately to with the help of his birds. Oedipus is showing his followers and the people the truth behind why he's the holder of the crown. Oedipus is not a fake and doesn't wand power for his own benefits but rather to help others and ensure safety to all. Tiresias tries to blame Oedipus for himself being the one to hold all responsibility and Oedipus' response on page 182 shows his anger and frustration. I noticed a lot throughout the first section that Oedipus is an angry person who is not afraid to voice his opinions.