The Rainbow

Part I
D.H. Lawrence employs the use of rhetorical question and compare and contrast in his novel, The Rainbow, between man and woman to capture the woman's longing to gain knowledge as to how one man is raised above a common man.

Lawrence uses compare and contrast between the woman's position in looking out of the house compared to her husband to juxtapose the differences between man's complacency of being beneath another man in power, and the woman's yearning for knowledge as to how the power came out.  Lawrence uses the comparison of the way the man and woman look out of their house to emphasize the different mindsets.  Lawrence writes, "Her house faced outwards to where men moved..." this quote emphasizes her longing to move away from the farming life her husband lives and how she wants to escape.  Lawrence describes the man as "looking out to the back" where all that is there is farming, and how he does not wish to escape from the life he lives even though there was power over him.  How the man did not yearn to understand how he got into this power.  Al the woman wants to know is why the man is complacent of being under another man.

Lawrence compares the vicar and her husband, a Brangwen man, to emphasize her confusion as to how one man can be raised over another.  Lawrence writes, "the vicar, dark and dry and small beside her husband...that made a Brangwen, in his large genialities, seem dull and local." (48-50).  By comparing the two individuals, Lawrence emphasizes the woman's confusion as to how one gains dominance over another.  She compares the physical traits thinking that perhaps physique is the answer, but it is not the solution to her confusion.  She continues to question how dominance is asserted as the continues on her quest for knowledge.

In the last few paragraphs Lawrence uses rhetorical question to show the mystery behind the woman's confusion and how she will forever wonder how one man can dominate another.  Lawrence writes, "that which makes a man strong even if he be little and frail in body...what was it?" (55-61).  The rhetorical question emphasizes the woman's inquiry as she searches for knowledge as to how dominance comes about.  Was it physique, money power?  The rhetorical question leaves an open-ended question allowing readers to understand that the woman will never know the answer unless she were to leave behind the farming life and live in a "far off world of cities and governments and the active scope of man." (20-21).

She comes to the conclusion that in order to gain dominance, one must attain knowledge.

Part II
Sri Karri graded my D.H Lawrence prose essay and gave a score of 5/6.  She said that at times my thoughts were disorganized and a little repetitive, however it made sense.  The The analysis however failed to answer how the literary devices "captured the woman's situation."  At times it also seemed to be too much summarization and not enough analysis of the text.  Elevated diction could also be added to elevate the score. With more analysis and connections made back to the prompt, the essay score could be elevated.

The most striking parts of the passage were the multiple references to the word "knowledge" and "blood" as well as the repetition of "magic land".  The magic land describes a place that Lawrence could relate back to this ideal land where there is no censorship.  Lawrence at the time was also in a relationship with another woman who was already married and this could also weave into the passage.

 As well as the comparison and contrast between the different view points of the man and woman as to how they look out of the house. This then leads readers to understand the different moods towards the lifestyle on the farm.  The woman wishes to move away from the farm life while her husband prefers to stay on the farm and continue to work.  The man does not wish to understand how he was put under another man while the woman wishes to know how authority/dominance comes about.

Evidence of complacency can be found in the different view points between the man and woman and how they look out of the house.  The woman looks out on to the city while the man looks out to the field.  This shows how the man is complacent with his position in life and does not wish to gain knowledge as to how he could raise his status in the world, unlike the woman.  The woman desires to know how one gets into power.  She questions if it is money, power, physical characteristics, etc.  The complacency can be found as Lawrence talks about the farm work the Brangwen men do.  He says, "so much exchange and interchange they had with these, that they lived full and surcharged, their sense full fed," (10-11).

Blog Post 18: Portfolio Reflection

I would say I am most proud of my American Drama video project as well as my first Hamlet Blog post because I feel they showcase my literary talent on paper as well as on screen.

The American Drama video project had numerous strengths.  The cast worked well together, the acting didn't seem too forced, and the overall production received great feedback.  Although part of the video did lack professional editing, better lighting could have been incorporated, and the setting could have been improved to fit the play.  Some parts of the project were missing as well such as storyboards, and at times communication between group members was complicated, but overall I feel as though the project was executed very well.  I learned from this project to take charge and to step up as a leader.  I helped divide roles and made sure the project was running efficiently and smoothly.

My first Hamlet blog post was one of my favorite blog posts because I felt as though I captured the Shakespearean language and perspective while effectively getting my message across.  It is especially difficult to blog from a different perspective, let alone from a different writing style, which makes me even more proud.  The only downfall of this post was that it took almost an hour to write.  From this post I learned that I have a serious time management problem.  I should be able to write a few paragraphs while effectively getting a message across in less than forty minutes if it were an AP Prompt.

Although my presence in the classroom was somewhat lacking, I feel as though I made up for my participation through group projects/presentations and individual papers. I can honestly say I put in one hundred and ten percent effort into my work outside of class.  In our American Drama Video project I felt as though I stepped up and became a leader.  I delegated tasks, helped to edit papers, and gave words of encouragement.  The night before the project was due our group ran into a technology problem and essentially the video could not be edited.  After our group, myself included, panicked, I got the group back on track, trying to come up with solutions and posed questions such as, "What's plan B?" "What are we going to do if this new plan doesn't work?"  

I came to the realization that writing is not my strongest subject.  After listening to Ms. Wilson's critiques and lessons to better our writing, I tried to apply them to my writing.  When we wrote our compare and contrast essay for our summer reading books, I helped to peer edit other student's essays.  I gave constructive criticism while giving words of encouragement and advice.  Although my presence in the classroom may be small, I made up for it with the work outside of class.

In the future I hope to raise my score on papers from the average 4-5 range to a 7-8 come time for the AP exam in May.  I stand by the belief that if you want to get better at something the only way to do it is through practice.  I would look at past AP prompts and write the essay, or at least an outline, and then take it to AP English teachers or past students who received high scores and ask them to critique my writing.  With the constructive criticism I hope to raise the score on my writing and truly become a better writer. Another goal I hope to work on is time management.

Throughout this trimester I've come to the realization that time is not my friend.  I usually take too much time analyzing the text, or spend too much time on one question.  My goal is to complete the AP multiple choice exam with more than 10-15 minutes left over to go back and check my answers.  By looking up past AP multiple choice questions and answering them with a time restraint as if it were the actual AP exam, I can better my time management and meet my goal. I will be able to tell if I have succeeded and met my goals if I have 10-15 minutes left over in the multiple choice portion of the exam and receive between a 7-8 on my writing portion of the essay.

Hamlet Blog Post 6: Words, Words, Words

Hamlet Blog Post 5: And the Beat Goes On....Even in the Characters Don't

Lyrics 

Oh uh-huh
If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea
I'll sail the world to find you
If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see
I'll be the light to guide you

Find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need

[Chorus:]
You can count on me like 1, 2, 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it
I can count on you like 4, 3, 2
You'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Ooooooh, oooohhh yeah, yeah

[Verse 2:]
If you're tossin' and you're turnin'
And you just can't fall asleep
I'll sing a song beside you
And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me
Every day I will remind you

Oooh
Find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need

[Chorus:]
You can count on me like 1, 2, 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it
I can count on you like 4, 3, 2
You'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Ooooooh, oooohhh yeah, yeah

You'll always have my shoulder when you cry
I'll never let go, never say goodbye
You know...

[Chorus:]
You can count on me like 1, 2, 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it
I can count on you like 4, 3, 2
You'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Ooooooh, oooohhh

You can count on me 'cause I can count on you

Horatio is to be considered Hamlet's closest friend throughout the play.  We see him sticking by Hamlet's side through the death of his father, the remarriage of his mother to his uncle, and even when Hamlet is thought to be going through a time of "lunancy" when he believes he sees an apparition, Horatio reinforces Hamlet's sanity through the proclamation that he too had seen the ghost.  (2.2.49).  As Horatio sees the ghost he says, ""Before my God, I might not believe this without the sensible and true avouch of mine own eyes." (1.1.56-58).  Even as Horatio sees the apparition, he takes it upon himself to get Hamlet involved, asking Marcellus, "Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it, as needful in our loves, fitting our duty?" (1.1.72-73).  If it were I, surely I might keep it to myself if I thought I had seen the ghost of my best friend's father, however Horatio thought it was in the best interest of his friend, his duty, that he should inform as to what he saw.

The song Count on Me by Bruno Mars describes the strong relationship between two friends who know that they are there for each other no matter what.  Whether they are "Stuck in the middle of the sea," or "tossing and turning and just can't fall asleep," (Mars).  This song may provide a more in-depth description of these two friends, unlike the play of Hamlet, where it doesn't show the intimate details of their friendship, however, both highlight the strong connection these friends have for each other.   

In the song, Mars writes, "If you ever find yourself in the dark and you can't see, I'll be the light to guide you,"  I find it parallel to the relationship between Horatio and Hamlet.  Hamlet went through a dark phase in his life after the death of his father and the marriage of his mother to his uncle.    He wore "nighted colour" throughout the play to symbolize the dark period/phase he was going through. (1.2.68).  Although Horatio did come to visit Hamlet, Horatio at first says that he, "came to see your [Hamlet's] father's funeral."  Hamlet replies, "Do not mock me...I think it was to see my mother's wedding."  (1.2.176) (1.2.77-78).  At first, Hamlet believes Horatio came to visit to pay respect to King Hamlet as well as his son, something a true friend would do, however, instead he lies to Hamlet, and instead comes to view the marriage of Hamlet's mother to Claudius.  Mars' song lacks the negative side/dark side a friendship can include such as lying.

The repeated phrase throughout the song, "You can count on me," represents a promise between two people.  Something both Hamlet and Horatio take part in, a secrecy.  Hamlet says, "Consent to Swear," Horatio replies, "Propose the oath, my lord," (1.2.52-53).  They continue to swear to never speak of the ghost they saw that night.  Just as Mars writes, when we count on someone, we rely on them to keep a promise or keep true to their word, just as Hamlet relies on Horatio to keep secret of what the apparition had told him.

Hamlet tells Horatio, "thou art e'en as just a man," meaning that Hamlet views Horatio as an honest and honorable man, someone he could trust. (3.2.37).  Much like the relationship Mars describes in his song. One where two people trust each other, where there is honesty between two individuals.    

When Hamlet leaves for England, it is Horatio that he writes to, the only person he can trust.  After the betrayal of his uncle and mother, Hamlet turns to his friend to give news as he travels to England.  He writes, "I have much to tell thee," (4.5.21).  Knowing that Hamlet can "count on" him to update those in Elsinore of his travels to England.

Finally, in the last few moments of the play Hamlet faces death.  Horatio even begins to consider death as well, joining Hamlet in the afterlife when he says, "Here's yet some liquor left," (5.2.306).  This can be paralleled to Mars' song when he writes, "I'll never let go, never say goodbye."  This shows Horatio's loyalty to Hamlet and how he was willing to give up his own life to be with Hamlet.  

Hamlet Blog Post 4: Responding to Literary Criticism

Aye for it is correct for Seng to say she is "mentally deranged" .  For it is expected just as he wrote, "Denmark has become a prison, and she is all alone at Elsinore."  For I would go mad 'twere I.  The loss of thy lover, the loss thy father, a brother far away from home, the loss thy mother, no one to turn to, no one for thou to care for.  Doth the sanity and justice continue to slip through the tight palms of clasped hands.

For doth he told her "I did love you once," (3.1.112-113).  For I would too go mad with "lunancy," had I thought a woman had once loved me, and yet made me blind after all. (2.2.49).  I disagree with Seng when he protested "she must have known as well as either of them that Lord Hamlet was a prince out of her star, yet she was willing to bid her time patiently, waiting for his formal proposals."  I don't believe she thought that for one measly second.  She knew to be that Hamlet loved her, nor did she care if he was within arms reach, she purposefully waited for the proposals. However, 'twas her father, Polonious, and brother, Laertes, that continued to lead her down the misleading path that led her to lunancy.  "Do not believe his vows; for they are brokers," Polonious told her daugther. (1.3.28).  "Perhaps he loves you now, and no soil nor cautel doth besmirch the virtue of his will: but you must fear,"  (1.3.14-15).  She responds with the agreement, "I shall obey, my lord," (1.3.136).  Doth she go against her family's wishes, or follow her thoughts of thy heart? For she was pulled in two directions, her heart playing tug of war with her mind.  For the toll of the game, took a toll on her sanity.  No wonder the madness came about!

Hamlet Blog Post 3: Mis en Scene Analysis

Kenneth Branagh: The setting takes place in Hamlet's home, the castle, where he is dressed in all black, to symbolize the continuation of mourning for his father's death.  The bleached white hair allows for the black colors in Hamlet's costume to stand out.  We see Hamlet reciting his soliloquy into a mirror, an appropriate prop to use since mirrors reflect the individual staring into it and can symbolize an internal search or look from within a character.  As the soliloquy begins, the director shoots from an over the shoulder point of view to allow for this self reflection to be emphasized.  The only voice to be heard during the scene is Hamlet, allowing for all focus and attention to be on him.  It is quiet half way through the soliloquy until an eerie non-digetic song plays in the background.   Throughout the soliloquy the editing is smooth, no quick cut scenes, allowing fluidity from line to line in the text.

Laurence Olivier: The quick scene cuts and loud hasty music in the background of the opening scene can emphasize the confusion swimming about in Hamlet's mind as he contemplates suicide.  As Hamlet recites the soliloquy, the only voice heard, sounds of the ocean are in the background.  This again allows for focus on Hamlet and Hamlet only.  The setting takes place on a high cliff overlooking an ocean, possibly referencing the sea he mentions within the soliloquy.  Dressed in, simplistic clothing and slicked back hair, audience members are able to focus on the words rather than the fashion statement.  The camera angles, that go into extreme close ups, can help to outline the expressions on Hamlet's face, to emphasize the emotions he feels as he contemplates.

Mel Gibson: The chamber of the castle where the scene is set, fills with only the sound of Hamlet's footsteps and echoes of his voice. Dressed in all black along with a full beard, this emphasizes the continuation of mourning for Hamlet's father.  Overhead light on the mummies (if you will) allow for emphasis and focus on death and the continuing mystery that the afterlife brings. The close up shots of Hamlet creates focus on the contemplation as he recites his soliloquy.

Ethan Hawke: A modern twist on the Shakespearean play, the setting occurs in what looks to be a Blockbuster store with Hamlet dressed in a ski hat and black tshirt and jacket and a small amount of facial hair, symbolizing the cold and dark that represents death as well as mourning. Hamlet's voice is heard through a voice over along with background noise from the store, but later you hear Hamlet's voice in the scene.  The camera continues to follow Hamlet as he walks through the aisles of the store, giving close ups and long to medium angles as he continues down the path of movies.  The movies in the background serve as perhaps the many distractions in life or other factors that involve life, as he passes through each aisle, weighing their value.

Lord Kenneth Branagh instituted the most effective delivery of the soliloquy.  Tis the employment of mirrors that truly brought the life of self reflection Hamlet cometh about through thy soliloquy.  How he stares into thy mirror, the over the should angle emphasizing Lord Hamlet's self-reflection.  The room is quiet, only the voice to be heard is my one true friend Hamlet, making the attention solely on him, allowing for a better focus on what he says rather than the external environment.  Standing in a large room in the castle, therefore emphasizes the large decision Hamlet has to make, and how small he feels in the situation.  For if  only I could help to make this decision with him.

The one scene that I disliked the most was Laurence Olivier's interpretation.  The awkward zoom of the camera angles into Hamlet's hair proved to be without a doubt, creepy.  It did not flow, and seemed to almost make a mockery of the play itself, which says a lot since Ethan Hawke's interpretation takes place in a Blockbuster store.   The black and white filming I feel takes away from the emotion of the scene.  Color has the ability to influence our emotions and I feel as though the black and white is too contrasting with the scene and disallows for emotion to flourish.

Hamlet Blog Post 3: To be, or Not to Be....

Locate imagery that refers to the uncertainty of death. 
"To be, or not to be; that is the question:" (3.1.56)
Imagery that refers to the negative experiences of life.
"The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to..." (3.1.62-63)
Appeals
Pathos: "The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks..." (3.1.62)
Logos: "To be or not to be: that is the question:" (3.1.56)
"'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles..." (3.1.57-58)
Literary Devices: Identify the significance of the following in this speech –
Paradox: life after death paradox, what happens?  Emphasized mystery.
parallelism: Ongoing question.  Ongoing contemplation.
the infinitive: Establishes the metaphor between death and sleep.
synecdoche: Emphasizes the little details that make up the big picture of death.
tone: frustrated tone.  Hamlet contemplates suicide but is frustrated because the afterlife is unknown.
diction: Elevated diction, imagery, illustrates the pros and cons to suicide.
metaphor: Metaphor of a dream.  Anything is possible in a dream, emphasizes the mystery behind the afterlife.
What are the two primary metaphors he will use in this speech?
Sleep and the sea
Identify evidence of the following comparisons:
life on earth: (3.1.58) (3.1.72-73)
afterlife: (3.1.66)
death: (3.1.60-61)
humans (3.1.66-67)
thinking. (3.1.70)
Identify at least three oppositions present in the arguments Hamlet makes. 
(3.1.71) (3.1.78-79) (3.1.83-84)
What eternal philosophical questions does Hamlet ponder? 
Hamlet begins to ponder the pros and cons towards suicide.  Is death worth it?  Is giving up life worth the pros?
What conclusions does Hamlet draw?
Hamlet weighs the outcomes to suicide, believing that death would solve the problems in the current life he lived, however, he began to realize that what happens after death is unknown and therefore could not come to a definite answer and/or resolution to his contemplation.

Hamlet Blog Post 2: Inigo Montoya's Revenge Story in The Princess Bride

"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." (1987)

  Inigo Montoya, a spanish fencer, seeks revenge against the six fingered who killed his father.  He travels along with Westley, a man masked in all black, who pursues his life long kidnapped lover, Buttercup, in hopes that he will run into the six fingered man and avenge his father's death.
Inigo Montoya, a determined man to find his father's killer, is much like Polonious, a father with the same level of determination to spy on his son, Laertes.  Polonious says, "What encompassment and drift of question that they do know my son, come you more nearer." (2.1.9-11)  Montoya's same determination can be seen when he first encounters Westley and asks, "I don't mean to pry, but you don't happen to have six fingers on your right hand?" This forward question to a stranger emphasizes his determination to complete his revenge of finding his father's killer.
In a way Montoya could be considered "crazy" just as Hamlet was said to be "lunacy" when he approached Ophelia.  (2.2.49).  Montoya continues to repeat this phrase, "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."  No matter if it's Westley, or his father's killer.  Who ever steps to a duel/fight the same phrase, over and over, comes out of Montoya's mouth.  Hamlet however, approaches Ophelia with silence, "took me [Ophelia] by the wrist and held me hard" (2.1.85)  Both are to be considered crazy, however, the way the act is carried out, is different between the two characters, one with a repeated phrase, the other silent.
A common motif in the play as well as the movie, is the death of a father, which could contribute to the crazy characteristic of both characters.  Hamlet lost his father, just as Montoya lost his father, both victims of murder.  In the clip you see Montoya describing his father's death to Westley when he says, "My father was slaughtered by a six fingered man...so I dedicated my life to fencing"  This crazy determination in dedicating his whole life to fencing, could be considered a crazy action on Montoya's part.  The Queen however, continues to blame "His [Hamlet] father's death, and our o'erhasty marriage," for Hamlet's lunancy. (2.2.57)
Both Hamlet and Montoya center around the theme of revenge on their father's death.  Hamlet says, "A dream itself is but a shadow." (2.2.246).  Hamlet and Montoya both dream of the moment when there mission and goal in life is met: their father's killer meets death.  A shadow, a dark space, can symbolize the dark thoughts or negativity that comes along with this dream.  Yes their goals are met, however the morality of the situation brings about this sense of darkness. 

Hamlet Blog Post 1: For I Must Hold My Tongue

"'tis unmanly grief," thou spits at me with words that mark me just as a sword cut thy flesh. (1.1.94).  Hath thou forgotten thy brother?  "But two months dead: nay, not so much, not two,"  and thou hast taken my mother, thine queen, and kingdom! (1.1.138). And thy mother, "thou know'st 'tis common; all that lives must die," as if to cease my grief! (1.1.72).  In love as I thought, the blossoming romance between thy former king and queen, how dare doth she con with their love, and quick as she were, to marry my uncle, "my father's brother, but no more like my father," (1.1.53). But I cannot say anything.  "for I must hold my tongue," or thy king will have my head. (1.1.59).  For I must sit in the shadows, cloaked by night, and grieve for my father, the grief he never received.

Hamlet Character Justification

I chose to blog from the perspective of Horatio. A close friend to Hamlet, Horatio serves as the anchor in Hamlet's life as well as the play.  When Hamlet believes he sees a ghost, Horatio believes he sees the same apparition, grounding Hamlet's sanity.  What makes Horatio interesting is that although he doesn't serve a major role to the play, he is the sole character to provide insight as to what Hamlet thinks, believes, etc.  This factor is what makes Horatio a "social media" worthy character.  While providing an outside perspective on the drama, as well as insight from Hamlet himself, readers will want to read blog posts from an unbiased, yet primary source, therefore making Horatio's perspective the perfect blog.