Blog #10 Assignment: Oedipus

In Sophocles' King Oedipus, one of the main focus in the pay are relationship between sight, truth, ignorance and darkness. Teiresias, the blind prophet, presents the truth to King Oedipus and Locasta. Oedipus has been blinded to the truth his whole life. When he does find the truth, he loses his physical eyesight. Because of the truth, Oedipus blinds himself. Through out Oedipus the play , he physically blind or blind to see the truth. Locasta knew about the prophecy, but she thought Oedipus was dead. She had no idea that she had married her son .she was sightless to the true identity of Oedipus. Even when she found out the truth, she did not want to accepted which led her to darkness and tragedy fate by killing herself and leaving her children behind.
Even tough Oedipus is able to see physically but his pride and ignorance caused the bad time in thebe. Teiresias' blindness was of the physical nature. Teiresias played the role of the typical prophet in the Greek tragedy. He was physically blind, but he had eyesight into the future and to the truth . When he presented the truth to Oedipus, Oedipus mocks Teiresias by calling him blind . He told Teiresias that the only reason he was not blaming him for the whole situation was that Teiresias could not see. Oedipus used his ignorance to prophesize that Oedipus would leave Thebes blind, poor, and shamed. This statement irritated Oedipus even more. Oedipus began to turn away from the idea of a prophet and seeing into the future. He loses sight when the truth is revealed to him. He is always surrounded in darkness.

Blog #9 assignment

This week we read one of the world's most famous plays, Sophocles's Oedipus the King. In Sophocles's play, we encounter an obviously important notion, the role played by fate or the fates. Oedipus brings the tragic discovery on himself. He is responsible for the murder of the King. His life had already been pre-destined by the gods above. No one knew about the fate until the servant arrived. His continuous investigation leads to the truth about the true murderer. After questioning the people of Thebes and hearing the oracle, Oedipus does not understand until he understands his fate. Pursing the truth was not the best thing Oedipus could have done. It was Oedipus's pride those made him instigate and follow through the investigation; which concluded with the recognition of his actions and his eventual downfall. 3 times people warned himagainst continuing the investigation yet he continued because of his pride. However; it was fate and not his pride that led to his downfall.

Assignment # 8-- Poems

In the reader response critical approach, the most important focus falls on the reader and the process of reading rather than on the author or the text. One of the most interesting poems that touch the readers’ hearts is “those winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden, Even though the poem is very short but it carries heavy loads of words.

After many years left, he starts to remember his childhood, especially his father who sacrifices his life for his family. His father worked in “Sundays too” he dedicated his life to his him and the family and had to work seven days. The writers feel sorry that “No one ever thanked him” for all he did for him. Sometimes in life we never appreciate what we have until every thing are gone. Most of us can relate to this poem. Personally my parents were not always emotional and affectionate but during my childhood years they always made sure me and my siblings had everything we needed. There is another side to this poem where the child admits to his own lack of empathy to his father. Beside all of that from my experience as a mother I started to appreciate what both my parents did for me until I had my kids. They sometimes ignore all the things that I have been doing for them to make their. Maybe the writer started to appreciate is father when is won his children are ignoring his scarifies and the pain that he goes through to make tier life better.

Assignment # 8- Poem

In the reader response critical approach, the most important focus falls on the reader and the process of reading rather than on the author or the text. One of the most interesting poems that touch the readers’ hearts is “those winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden, Even though the poem is very short but it carries heavy loads of words.
After many years left, he starts to remember his childhood, especially his father who sacrifices his life for his family. His father worked in “Sundays too” he dedicated his life to his him and the family and had to work seven days. The writers feel sorry that “No one ever thanked him” for all he did for him. Sometimes in life we never appreciate what we have until every thing are gone. Most of us can relate to this poem. Personally my parents were not always emotional and affectionate but during my childhood years they always made sure me and my siblings had everything we needed. There is another side to this poem where the child admits to his own lack of empathy to his father. Beside all of that from my experience as a mother I started to appreciate what both my parents did for me until I had my kids. They sometimes ignore all the things that I have been doing for them to make their. Maybe the writer started to appreciate is father when is won his children are ignoring his scarifies and the pain that he goes through to make tier life better.

Assigment #7

Bushra Algutaini
ENG 102 – 0826
Dr. Vasileiou
4/29/10


The theme is one of the most important aspects in any piece of literature, as it illustrates the purpose that the author wrote it. The theme conveys a message that the author intended about whatever topic. The theme is also a general statement and an expression that one feels strongly about when reading a piece of writing. In the “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin and “The Chrysanthemums” by Johan Steinbeck, both talk about women struggling in their society. Both stories deal with restriction, suffering and the loneliness of women in a male world culture a century ago. In this paper, the writer compares and contrasts the theme of how women were viewed and treated in the 1800s and 1900s.In the late 1800s and early 1900s, women were not given enough attention from their husbands and their society.


Johan Steinbeck in his story "The Chrysanthemums” starts with the character of Elisa Allen, a woman who feels lonely and is neglected by her husband as well as in her society. The writer starts his story with Elisa Allen working in her garden bounded by a wire fence, “…the wire fence that protected her flower garden from cattle and dogs and chickens," which also shows that Elisa was trapped in order to be protected from the outside world. The gardening in the valley represents Elisa Allen’s depression and her unhappy life. The valley is described as a “closed pot” (p. 192) which represents her separation and isolation from her society. Even though she lives with her husband Henry in the valley, she still feels lonely because he neglects her and has never given her enough attention or any kind of affection that a woman needs from her husband.

The chrysanthemum flowers show and represent Elisa’s emotions and spirit that needs love and care just as the flowers do. Therefore, Elisa expresses her feelings by taking care of her garden as if they were her “children“ because she is not taken care of or treated with care at all. Steinbeck uses the outsider which is the tinker to represent the outside male world, which is also her own society. Elisa has not experienced any other world. The Tinker shows an interest in the flowers and makes her feel attracted as a female confident of her feminine side. She even felt more confident when she was giving him the flowers. Elisa had no one to care for her and make her feel confident in herself but Tinker showed affection and care towards her which made her react so confidently. The flowers represent her dreams of having a better life; and when Elisa had given Tinker a part of her life, she really believed him and thought that he can somehow take her out of the depression.

Elisa was also touched by Tinker's affection and care towards her which made her give him the flower. Unfortunately, the Tinker did not really have any affection, love or care for her at all -- it was all to use her for some business that he needed with her husband to make money. When Elisa saw the flower lying on the road, her hopes and dreams were ruined like the Chrysanthemum lying in the road. Steinbeck represents Elisa's dreams and hopes like flowers that can be damaged so easily if no one is there to take care of them. This story shows the reader that society never gave women the opportunity to be a part of it. Society was not fair to women as during that time, they only had a chance to show that they are worth something through their husbands; on their own they were worth nothing in the eyes of their society.

The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin (1851-1904) is an inspiring literary piece which touches a reader's feelings by portraying how women were desperate for freedom and how much they struggled to gain their identity to express themselves as women in a male dominated society. Society in the late 19th Century expected women to stay home, cook and care for children but not much more. Chopin presented the character of Mrs. Mallard as a young and married woman who suffers from “heart trouble.” Chopin chooses the “heart” because women are the heart of any society. If women have trouble, how can the society function just like the body which cannot function if it has a troubled heart.
Apparently, in the story, Mr. Mallard does not treat his wife particularly well. Also the character in the story, Louise, is miserable with her marriage, and doesn’t feel a bit free to do what she wants in her life. Mrs. Mallard could not leave her husband because women at the time could not live by themselves and they could not work and support themselves. Even if they were in an abusive relationship with their spouse, they would have to face the hardships just like other women. When Louise hears about her husband’s death, for a short time she feels grief but overcomes her grief with the feeling of joy. After her husband passes away, Louise finds freedom that she had forgotten she had. Louise’s character gets more optimistic as the story continues. Louise decides to be honest and live for herself. We hear Louise whispering “Free! Body and soul free!”( p. 317). In this quote Chopin is showing how much women do want to be free just like men and how precious self-determination and freedom are to them.The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin (1851-1904) is an inspiring literary piece which touches a reader's feelings by revealing how women were desperate for freedom and how much they struggled to gain their identity to express themselves . In their stories, both writers, Chopin and Steinbeck, talk about the condition women were in a century ago. Both stories show that women never really get the chance to express themselves the way they want.
For many years, these stories and others certainly, have inspired readers about women’s rights that we have today. " The Story of an Hour" and “The Chrysanthemums“ have probably inspired many women to oppose their husbands if they feel like their marriage isn’t quite as happy as it should be.

Assigment #6

So far I have been learning and enjoying this class. The idea of log writing is'nt new to me and I have been using the blog for long time where I posted pictures and write updates about my family and new ideas of raisin kids. I think it is great idea too to use it in many classes espicaly that requires a lot of writing. In many ways it helps save many trees and help the enviroment to be clean. Also from my experience about blog it make me think differently and come up with new ideas after reading my classmates logs. It is always good to be unique and to write freely. I was expecting of the class a lot of reading and writing like English 101, I wrote many essays and . However, so far I think it has been quite fair. And I have been enjoying the class a lot.

Assifnment #5 On Good and Evil Kahlil Gibran

http://www.katsandogz.com/ongood.html

On Good and Evil
Kahlil Gibran

Of the good in you I can speak, but not of the evil.
For what is evil but good tortured by its own hunger and thirst?
Verily when good is hungry it seeks food even in dark caves, and when it thirsts it drinks even of dead waters.


You are good when you are one with yourself.
Yet when you are not one with yourself you are not evil.
For a divided house is not a den of thieves; it is only a divided house.
And a ship without rudder may wander aimlessly among perilous isles yet sink not to the bottom.


You are good when you strive to give of yourself.
Yet you are not evil when you seek gain for yourself.
For when you strive for gain you are but a root that clings to the earth and sucks at her breast.
Surely the fruit cannot say to the root, "Be like me, ripe and full and ever giving of your abundance."
For to the fruit giving is a need, as receiving is a need to the root.


You are good when you are fully awake in your speech,
Yet you are not evil when you sleep while your tongue staggers without purpose.
And even stumbling speech may strengthen a weak tongue.


You are good when you walk to your goal firmly and with bold steps.
Yet you are not evil when you go thither limping.
Even those who limp go not backward. But you who are strong and swift, see that you do not limp before the lame, deeming it kindness.


You are good in countless ways, and you are not evil when you are not good,
You are only loitering and sluggard.
Pity that the stags cannot teach swiftness to the turtles.


In your longing for your giant self lies your goodness: and that longing is in all of you.
But in some of you that longing is a torrent rushing with might to the sea, carrying the secrets of the hillsides and the songs of the forest.
And in others it is a flat stream that loses itself in angles and bends and lingers before it reaches the shore.
But let not him who longs much say to him who longs little, "Wherefore are you slow and halting?"
For the truly good ask not the naked, "Where is your garment?" nor the houseless, "What has befallen your house?"

Assignment #5 On Good and Evil Kahlil Gibran

On Good and Evil Kahlil Gibran Of the good in you I can speak, but not of the evil. For what is evil but good tortured by its own hunger and thirst? Verily when good is hungry it seeks food even in dark caves, and when it thirsts it drinks even of dead waters. You are good when you are one with yourself. Yet when you are not one with yourself you are not evil. For a divided house is not a den of thieves; it is only a divided house. And a ship without rudder may wander aimlessly among perilous isles yet sink not to the bottom. You are good when you strive to give of yourself. Yet you are not evil when you seek gain for yourself. For when you strive for gain you are but a root that clings to the earth and sucks at her breast. Surely the fruit cannot say to the root, "Be like me, ripe and full and ever giving of your abundance." For to the fruit giving is a need, as receiving is a need to the root. You are good when you are fully awake in your speech, Yet you are not evil when you sleep while your tongue staggers without purpose. And even stumbling speech may strengthen a weak tongue. You are good when you walk to your goal firmly and with bold steps. Yet you are not evil when you go thither limping. Even those who limp go not backward. But you who are strong and swift, see that you do not limp before the lame, deeming it kindness. You are good in countless ways, and you are not evil when you are not good, You are only loitering and sluggard. Pity that the stags cannot teach swiftness to the turtles. In your longing for your giant self lies your goodness: and that longing is in all of you. But in some of you that longing is a torrent rushing with might to the sea, carrying the secrets of the hillsides and the songs of the forest. And in others it is a flat stream that loses itself in angles and bends and lingers before it reaches the shore. But let not him who longs much say to him who longs little, "Wherefore are you slow and halting?" For the truly good ask not the naked, "Where is your garment?" nor the houseless, "What has befallen your house?" http://www.katsandogz.com/ongood.html

Blog #4 assignment

Writing is a creative outlet for authors to express their feelings, emotions and experiences. Therefore, it is often extremely important to have some knowledge of the author’s life experiences and background to help understand his or her work. In his story, “A clean Well - light place“, Hemingway’s expressed his own feelings and pain of loneliness as an old man. An old man in the story was a reflection of Hemmingway’s own life, full of loneliness and no reason to live.
Thus, the setting of Hemingway's story is essential to the theme of the nothingness (nada) of life where the lack of spiritual faith leaves an empty promise. One of the most touching aspects of this story is when the older waiter expresses solidarity with the old man. While the young waiter is young and confident, the older waiter and the old man seem overwhelmingly lonely and tired out by life. The young waiter portrays society that does not care about old people. Many of the old people live alone without any friends, family, or caretakers. I think the reason for this work was Hemingway’s own depression and loneliness at that age.
Just like the old man who craves a well-lit bar to go to for a drink, the older waiter of "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place" by Ernest Hemingway, desires to keep the care open, providing a light. In fact, after the cafe closes, the old man seeks another lighted place because for him any lighted place is preferable to the darkness of aloneness and "nada”. Hemingway was the one feeling trapped in search of the light. Unfortunately, in real life he could not handle the pressure of the mental and physical issues he had and shot himself in 1961.

Blog #3 Assignment "The Things They Carried

"The Things They Carried"

In his story "The Things They Carried," by Tim O'Brien, he describes a group of soldiers marching through Vietnam. He does this by describing the items that each of them carries with him during the march. The soldier’s carries martial and non metrical items .Each soldier carried things that represent their personality and belief. Beside all these thing s soldiers carries their lives too.Even though the story focuses on Jimmy cross I find Rat Kiley interesting person. Rat Kiley is flat character because he did not change. As medic he carried medical supplies such as a “canvas satchel filled with morphine” and “plasma and malaria tablets and surgical tape”. Rat is a great and brave medic and he takes care of the other men even when he is frightened for his own life. Especially when facing danger. He never cared if there is shooting when it comes to wounded soldiers. When Ted lavender was shot Rat Kiley become very deep emotional and did not believe it.Also one of the most interesting things he carried with comic books. He really enjoyed reading funny stories especially during the war. Also his sense of humor helped during difficulty and emotional situations. He made jokes almost about everything and even worms that he hated the most. Tim and the soldiers admire him because he has sense of humor. His sense of humor help it soldiers forgets the fear of the war. Form his personality we learned that life is all about how we shape it even in the worst situation, we need to laugh and forget about the pain that we have inside and outside

"The Chrysanthemums"

The story of “the chrysanthemums” by Johan Steinbeck begin with description of Salinas Valley which symbolizes Elisa Allen’s depression and unhappy life. The valley described as “closed pot”(192) which symbolize her isolation from the rest of the world. Even though she lives with her husband Henry in the valley , but he neglects her, and had never given her enough attention or any kind of affection that any woman needs from her husband.

The author use symbolism throughout “the Chrysanthemums”. The chrysanthemum flowers symbolize Elisa’s emotions and spirit that needs love and care. Both Elissa and her flowers need love and care. There fore, Elissa expresses her feeling by taking care of her garden like if it was her “children“.

Steinbeck uses the stranger, the tinker to symbolize and present the outside world, that Elisa has not experienced yet. the tinker showed an interested in the flowers which she never got had before. He made her feel attracted as female confident of her feminine side. She even felt more confident when she had giving him the flowers. The flowers here represent as her dreams of having better life when she had given him part of her life. But in reality the tinker used her to get some business with her husband and make money. when Elisa sees the flower lying on the road, these hopes and dreams ruined like the chrysanthemum lying in the road. Steinbeck present dreams and hopes like flower that can damaged easily if no one take care of them.

Freewrite

My name is Bushra. I'm a psychology major. Also stay at home mother of three kids. I have been dreaming to go back to school since i had my first child. I think School is very interesting place for me because it is the place where you can challenge your self and your ability to learn new things. Also to express your self especially through literature.

One of my hobbies is listening to music by Demis Roussos and Zion Golan.