Monday, October 29, 2012

Vocab List #10
aficionado- a serious devotee of some particular music genre or musical performer
browbeat- to discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner; intimidate
commensurate- able to be measured by a common standard
diaphanous- Of such fine texture as to be transparent or translucent
emolument- Payment for an office or employment
foray- A sudden raid or military advance
genre- A realistic style of painting that depicts scenes from everyday life
homily- An inspirational saying or platitude
immure- To confine within or as if within walls; imprison
insouciant- carefree or unconcerned; light-hearted
matrix- a substance, situation, or environment in which something has its origin, takes form, or is enclosed
obsequies- A funeral rite or ceremony
panache- A bunch of feathers or a plume, especially on a helmet.
persona- The role that one assumes or displays in public or society; one's public image or personality, as distinguished from the inner self
philippic- a bitter or impassioned speech of denunciation; invective
prurient- unusually or morbidly interested in sexual thoughts or practices
sacrosanct- Regarded as sacred and inviolable
systemic- Of or relating to systems or a system
tendentious- Marked by a strong implicit point of view; partisan
vicissitude- A change or variation

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Literature Analysis #2: Heart of Darkness

General

1.      The main character of the story is Marlow and ever since he was a little boy he loved looking at maps. He wanted to travel to Africa as well as the Congo River when he grew up. Thanks to his aunt’s connections Marlow finally gets his chance when a European captain is killed by the natives in Africa. Marlow takes a ship to the Congo where his new steamship awaits him, however, he finds out that it will take a couple of months to repair. Marlow overhears a conversation about a man named Kurtz who is rumored to hold significant information about the Congo but he is very ill and needs to be attended to immediately. Marlow then travels in search of Kurtz but is ambushed by natives which leads to a couple of dead men on Marlow’s ship. When, Marlow finds Kurtz he learns that Kurtz is the thought of as a god by the natives because he has raided multiple surrounding territories in search of ivory. Eventually, Marlow and Kurtz become good friends on their voyage back to Europe, however, Kurtz dies onboard of the ship but before he does he releases important, personal documents to Marlow about the Congo.

2.      The theme of the novel lies in the very name of the novel, darkness. Marlow’s journey literally begins and ends in darkness. The setting is dark and gloomy, and there is also the imaginary and philosophical darkness that spreads throughout the novel.  Despite, darkness some men hope to conquer it, in order to receive the reward it holds, specifically ivory. Darkness is probably present in Kurtz more than anyone else because he has been living in the Congo for a long time. It has devoured him and taken away his morale and natural being through his acts of savagery against the natives.

3.      The novel has a cynical and dark tone which is implied through Marlow’s constant use of the words darkness, fear, and madness. Not one person in the novel has a positive aura surrounding them; everyone in the book is complemented through darkness. Here are three excerpts that support my claim of the author having a cynical and dark tone:

·         “The offing was barred by a black bank of clouds, and the tranquil waterway leading to the uttermost ends of the earth flowed somber under an overcast sky-seemed to lead into the heart of an immense darkness.”

·         “He seemed to stare at me out of the glassy panel-stare with that wide and immense stare embracing, condemning, and loathing the entire universe.”

·         “I seemed to hear the whispered cry, “The horror! The horror!”

4.      Personification: An example of personification is used in the following quote, “The tidal current runs to and fro in its unceasing service crowded with memories of men and ships it had born to the rest of home or to the battles of the sea (p.66).” When the current is said to be running and containing memories of men this signifies human qualities that a current doesn’t have because it isn’t a living object.

 

Simile: Conrad uses similes throughout the book and here is an example of one, “Here and there a military camp lost in the wilderness, like a needle in a bundle of hay (p.69).” Conrad is comparing a military camp with a needle in a bundle of hay to show how hard it is for Marlow to find the camp in the fog and wilderness.

 

Imagery: Conrad’s imagery is breathtakingly frightening because he is a master of the darkness and he does it magnificently throughout the novel. For example, “A narrow and deserted street in deep shadow, high houses, innumerable windows with venetian blinds, a dead silence, grass sprouting between the stones, imposing carriage archways right and left, immense double doors standing ponderously ajar (p.73).”

 

Cliché: Conrad doesn’t use many clichés in the novel; however, they stuck out to me so I decided to mention them because they are some of my favorites. He uses, “The horror! The horror!” and “as far as the eye could see (p.78).”

 

Analogy: An analogy and a simile are essentially the same in meaning but, I mentioned both of them because Conrad uses them so well that I had to talk about both of them. For example, “The voice of the surf heard now and then was a positive pleasure, like the speech of a brother (p.78-79).”

 

Symbolism: Conrad uses symbolism numerous times to compare the natives to machines and pilgrims. For example, “They wandered here and there with their absurd long staves in their hands, like a lot of faithless pilgrims bewitched inside rotten fence (p.91).”

 

Diction: The author’s word choice is significant to the story because if Conrad didn’t use a wide and advanced vocabulary then it would have taken away from the stories great explanation and expression of darkness through the characters. An example is, “We were cut off from the comprehension of our surroundings; we glided past like phantoms, wondering and secretly appalled, as sane men would be before an enthusiastic outbreak in a madhouse (p.108).”

 

Syntax: The author’s sentence structure is prolix at times because sometimes his sentences feel like run on sentences; however, they are just really long descriptions. For example, “It seems to me I am trying to tell you a dream-making a vain attempt, because no relation of a dream can convey the dream-sensation, that commingling of absurdity, surprise, and bewilderment in a tremor of struggling revolt, that notion of being captured by the incredible which is of the very essence of dreams….. (p.97)”

 

Mood: The author’s mood is the same as the author’s tone which is cynical and dark. The mood comes across cynical because every character in the book seems to have a dark aura surrounding them. For example, “Marlow sat cross-legged right aft, leaning against the mizzen-mast. He had sunken cheeks, a yellow complexion, a straight back, an ascetic aspect, and, with his arms dropped, the palms of hands outwards, resembled an idol (p.66).”

 

Foreshadowing: The author uses foreshadowing constantly when talking about Marlow’s memories and what he wants to forget because he is narrating this story.  For example, “There is a taint of death, a flavor of mortality in lies-which is exactly what I hate and detest of the world-what I want to forget (p.97).”

Characterization

1.      The first example of direct characterization is when Conrad describes Marlow at the beginning of the book. “Marlow had sunken cheeks, a yellow complexion, a straight back, an ascetic aspect, and, with his arms dropped, the palms of hands outwards, resembled an idol.” An example of indirect characterization is when Conrad describes the Lawyer who is thought of as reliable and wise because of his age. “The Lawyer-the best of old fellows-had, because of his many years and many virtues, they only cushion on deck, and was lying on the only rug.” Another example of direct characterization is when Conrad describes the Director of Companies. “He resembled a pilot, which to a seaman is trustworthiness personified. It was difficult to realize his work was not out there in the luminous estuary, but behind him, within the brooding gloom.” Another example of indirect characterization is when Conrad describes Kurtz through Marlow’s comments. For example, “It seemed to me I had never breathed an atmosphere so vile, and I turned mentally to Kurtz for relief-positively for relief.” Conrad uses both direct characterization and indirect to give hints to the reader about the characters and their traits but, he uses his tone, syntax, and diction to assist the reader in interpreting the qualities of the main characters.

2.      The author doesn’t change his syntax and diction when he is describing a character because he uses formal diction and syntax throughout the book and not just when describing characters. In this excerpt from the novel it explains how the darkness had engulfed Kurtz because he wanted to kill all the natives, “It was very simple, and at the end of that moving appeal to every altruistic sentiment it blazed at you, luminous and terrifying, like a flash of lightning in a serene sky: “Exterminate all the brutes!”

3.      Marlow is a static and flat character because his goal throughout the book stays the same. After, Marlow attains control of his own steamship he travels along the Congo River to meet a man named Kurtz who holds important secrets about the Congo so, Marlow travels in search for him. Marlow throughout the book tries to learn the secrets to the Congo and before, his new friend dies, Kurtz; he reveals unknown secrets about the Congo which fulfills the main character’s goal.

4.      At the end of the book I felt like I read a character because I couldn’t relate to Marlow or Kurtz. They are very relatable characters so I am sure someone could provide me with a great counter argument but I just didn’t feel like their characters popped out of the book. For example the following description was hard to relate to because I don’t think I am as hated as Kurtz, “He is a prodigy, an emissary of pity and science and progress, and devil knows what else.”

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Tools That Change the Way We Think
The internet/media/technology dictate the way we think. Our thinking is not as personalized as we assume. Referring back to the Ted talk that we watched early in the week, the presenter said that his Facebook wall deleted all the conservative posts and replaced them with only liberal posts. This is unfortunate because the presenter was liberal and all he saw was liberal posts which makes him infer that everyone must be a liberal. This isn't true but this is what happens when someone only gets half the story, they think that everyone agrees with them and that society isn't as diverse in ideas and beliefs as we thought.
Technology to us is what fire was to a caveman. The caveman could survive without the fire, however, they believed they could not because it did everything for them. It kept them warm when they were cold and it cooked their food when they were hungry. Sometimes we use it for pointless things. For example, What is the weather going to be like today? Go outside and check for yourself, don't Google it. On the other hand, the internet is not such a bad thing after all, it is not like it is a drug or anything, or is it?

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Notes on Hamlet
Alot has occured in Hamlet since Act I. Hamlet has concluded through proof and observation that the ghost was telling the truth and that King Claudius is responsible for the murder of Hamlet Sr. Hamlet is acting mad as ever, however, King Claudius is unconvinced. Polonius has been killed by Hamlet who does not feel bad for killing him because he thought of Polonius as a rat and he deserved to die, however, at first Hamlet believed that he killed King Claudius. I am starting to believe that Hamlet is partly mad because only he can see the ghost. I have read the whole play already so for those who haven't read it, I am going to hold my voice for now. *cough "Everyone dies." :)
Who was Shakespeare?
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. His early plays were mainly comedies and histories, genres he raised to the peak of sophistication and artistry by the end of the 16th century. He then wrote mainly tragedies until about 1608, including Hamlet, King Lear, Othello, and Macbeth, considered some of the finest works in the English language. In his last phase, he wrote tragicomedies, also known as romances, and collaborated with other playwrights (For the above infromation I used Google and Wikipedia). How did Shakespeare die? Are Shakespeare's works written in Old English? Was Shakespeare gay? These questions have all been raised an have yet to be answered. (Again I used Google to find these questions, Shakespeare Questions). Shakespeare is one of the authors that students quiver at with just the mention of his name. His style and diction is very difficult to understand and to most students it looks like gibberish and that is why they give up so easily when they are told that they are going to have to read one of his plays. Shakespeare has become more manageable over time because I have been exposed to his works multiple time. I wouldn't say it has become easier but, it is more familiar and understandable. Overall, I have developed a new found pleasure in Shakespeare at times but, their are always moments of me wanting to stab myself when reading bland and numbing parts of his works.
To Facebook or Not to Facebook?
When I first started using Facebook I thought it was a cool way to keep in touch with old colleagues and friends that lived far away. It was fun and addicting at first but, then it was constantly being updated that it no longer felt like Facebook. Due to Facebook, talking to friends is simple and rudimentary. Another benefit from using Facebook is that it allows me to communicate with my friends so we can do homework and projects together in an easy and efficient manner. After reading the article "Why Facebook is after your kids" my mindset didn't really change towards Facebook. Much of the information in the article I already knew or predicted would happen eventually. For example, kids who are under the age of 13 using Facebook know that they are putting themselves in harm's way by indicating that they are over 13 just so they can be cool like all their friends.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Vocab Sentences #9
I had to redo my experiment because my first experiment was abortive.
People, US, and other celebrity magazines are known for bruiting.
The jester was killed by the king because he was acting contumeliously.
The president made a dictum based on the Libyan revolution.
The Europeans ensconced their homeland as Europe.
Athiests are iconoclastic towards other religions.
It is rare to see in medias res nowadays.
The political campaign of 2012 can be considered internecine.
People that are maladroit should not go to furniture stores.
The drunk construction worker was maudlin after his wife died.
Parents modulate their children's beliefs to match their own.
Hamlet bestowed a portentous defeat upon King Claudius.
Psychics are known to be masters in the art or science of prescience.
Julian owed me a quid pro quo because I bought him ice cream yesterday.
Body builders have to be salubrious or else they can't be body builders.
Saturnalia was a significant festival in ancient Rome.
Every baking competition has a touchstone.
After, the kid's parents died in a car accident he became traumatized by cars.
If you don't eat the avocado while it is ripe it will vitiate.
Elementary students play duck-duck-goose in a waggish manner.
Vocab List #9
Abortive: failing to produce the intended result
Bruit: spread a report or rumor widely
Contumelious: scornful and insulting behavior
Dictum: a formal pronouncement from an authoritative source; a short statement that expresses a general truth or principle
Ensconce: establish or settle
Iconoclastic: characterized by attack on established beliefs or institutions
In medias res: a narrative that begins somewhere in the middle of a story rather than the beginning
Internecine: destructive to both sides in a conflict
Maladroit: ineffective or bungling; clumsy
Maudlin: self-pitying or tearfully sentimental, often through drunkenness
Modulate: exert a modifying or controlling influence on
Portentous: of or like a portent; done in a pompously or overly solemn manner
Prescience: the power to foresee the future
Quid pro quo: a favor or advantage granted in return for something
Salubrious: health-giving, healthy; pleasant, not run-down
Saturnalia: the ancient Roman festival of Saturn in December; an occasion of wild revelry
Touchstone: a standard or criterion by which something is judged or recognized
Traumatic: emotionally disturbing or distressing; relating to or causing psychological trauma
Vitiate: spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of; destroy or impair the legal validity of.
Waggish: humorous in a playful, mischievous, or facetious manner

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Remix of Hamlet Act I-III

The following memes summarize key events from Act I-III and some are just for fun. I left out spoilers for those who haven't read the whole play.

Read memes from left to right. Sorry for the inconvenience, I am still getting used to the blog. If someone knows how to format images in blog posts, please comment below. Thank you.












 
 
Just for comedic purposes:

 
 
 






Vocab Midterm
I was very happy with the result I got from my midterm because I had only missed the first question which I found amusing. I attribute my success on the midterm to my constant studying all week and from the help of following my study plan that Dr. Preston required of us to make. For the vocabulary final at the end of the semester I plan on following the methods I used this time around for my midterm to be successful.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Vocab List #8
Vocab Paragraph for Hamlet (#8)
Throughout the play I have wanted to lampoon Ophelia for her naive requests of being with Hamlet. Ophelia is ambivalent and beleaguered in her feeling towards Hamlet. Ophelia's father prevents her from achieving carte blanche and instead chooses to debauch her life. She is inchoate and should be able to gambol, however, her father is concerned for her because she is malleable. Ophelia's character makes me feel queasy and since we don't know enough about her we can't call her a philistine. Hamlet is currently in an abeyance from school because his uncle and mother want him to stay in the kingdom with them instead of going off and having a picaresque life. Hamlet has savoir-faire when he is talking with his uncle and his mother instead of being refractory. After, Hamlet talked to his dead father he opted to seek revenge on his uncle and hopefully have his plan end in eclat. Hamlet will most likely be fastidious in his plan to defeat his nemesis, King Claudius, and maybe even conduct a catalysm to imbue his people to follow him instead of Claudius.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Dear Ophelia: Their is no point in loving a mercurial man like Hamlet. He never follows protocol and  is the farthest thing from quixotic. He is in a quagmire in the moment or an impasse if you will, he is lugubrious because of his father's death and he has no time to be thinking about you. Ask anyone, the consensus will be to forget about him and enter euphoria through hobbies or activities that will get your mind off of him. Hamlet is a patrician who needs to be sublimated because of his recent disbehaviors which is not a quality you would want in your lover. Just forget about him and move on with your life.
A Concerned Friend

Monday, October 1, 2012

Vocabulary Study Strategy

I am going to review different vocabulary words every day this week through the vocabulary lists that I already have.

Monday
  • Study Vocabulary List #1
Tuesday
  • Study Vocabulary List #2,3
Wednesday
  • Study Vocabulary List #4,5
Thursday
  • Study Vocabulary List #6,7