1.) Was McMurphy honestly caring towards the ward patients, or were his motives purely selfish?
He cared about the patients, but he saw that he had opportunities to make quick money a few times in the story, so he took it. At the same time though, I saw he frequently let the patients win back their money, and he didn't con as much money from the patients as he could have. Especially at the end when he turned against the black boys, he didn't do that for himself, he did it to stand up for the patients.
2.) How was Chief able to control himself from letting on that he could actually hear?
Chief was actually crazy. It was part of him being insane that at times he could probably convince himself he was deaf; so he never spoke up or showed signs that he could hear what people said.
3.) Why was Chief chosen as the narrator?
Chief was narrator because he could see both sides of the story. Since people never had any filter around Chief because they thought he was deaf, he heard everything. He was to see how people really were at heart, and make fair assumptions of people like Big Nurse.
4.) What did Chief's fog represent?
the fog was Chief's way of blocking out what upset him.For example, when he thought he was going to shock therapy at the beginning of the book, the smoke came in to block it out. As the book progresses the fog becomes less frequent, showing that Chief is becoming more brave.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Blog 2
The conflict between Big Nurse and McMurphy is in full swing at the end of "Part One." Who is getting the best of their rivalry at this point? Why do you say that (specific evidence)?
What is your perception of the Chief at this point in the story? Why? And how has the presence of McMurphy changed the Chief's character or his narration (be specific)?
Who are you rooting for at this point in the story and why?
1. I believe that McMurphy is getting the best of Big Nurse at this point in the story. By having the majority of the patients on his side and standing up for what they want to do, he is making Big Nurse nervous that she is losing her control over the facility. For example, at the end of part 2 on page 126 it says that, "...[Big Nurse was] hollering and squealing at the back of their heads about discipline and order and recriminations..." This shows how the Nurse is losing her control over the group, and by losing her cool, she is just making McMurphy more of the victor.
2. At this point in the story, I think Chief is becoming more humanized. His personality and thoughts are being influenced by McMurphy. This makes him more of a human being, than a lunatic controlled by Nurse. For example, when Chief raises his hand because of McMurphy, this shows that he is independent and does what he wants.
3. At this point I am rooting for McMurphy. McMurphy has a sense of humor and I think that he is an honest guy just trying to let these patients lead somewhat normal lives. Big Nurse is oppressive and McMurphy is fun-loving and has good intentions.
What is your perception of the Chief at this point in the story? Why? And how has the presence of McMurphy changed the Chief's character or his narration (be specific)?
Who are you rooting for at this point in the story and why?
1. I believe that McMurphy is getting the best of Big Nurse at this point in the story. By having the majority of the patients on his side and standing up for what they want to do, he is making Big Nurse nervous that she is losing her control over the facility. For example, at the end of part 2 on page 126 it says that, "...[Big Nurse was] hollering and squealing at the back of their heads about discipline and order and recriminations..." This shows how the Nurse is losing her control over the group, and by losing her cool, she is just making McMurphy more of the victor.
2. At this point in the story, I think Chief is becoming more humanized. His personality and thoughts are being influenced by McMurphy. This makes him more of a human being, than a lunatic controlled by Nurse. For example, when Chief raises his hand because of McMurphy, this shows that he is independent and does what he wants.
3. At this point I am rooting for McMurphy. McMurphy has a sense of humor and I think that he is an honest guy just trying to let these patients lead somewhat normal lives. Big Nurse is oppressive and McMurphy is fun-loving and has good intentions.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Blog 1
Having talked about hero, antihero, and villain in class, I am sure that you are completely clear on what all three are. And knowing that, you also are aware that how you classify chraracters into one of these categories is a very personal thing.
Hero: I don't really see a hero in the book. It is much like The Great Gatsby, there is not much of a hero, just a narrator. Chief, the narrator just tells things how it is, and does not really have any values that distinguish him as a hero. McMurphy can't be a hero either, because he has certain values that don't match up with the values of the audience.
Anti-Hero: McMurphy is obviously an anti-hero because he has values that do not match up with others. He is overly aggressive with his sex drive, and as shown on page 41, he pretended to be crazy to get out of farm work. While he has these bad characteristics, he want's to do good for the patients in the institution. He recognized that none of the patients have fun, nobody laughs, and the nurse controls everyone. He want's to change this for the patients.
Villain: Nurse Ratched is the villain of the story, because all of the patients view her as a controlling monster. Even though it is not out rightly said, she dehumanizes the patients, treating them like they are lesser than her. For example, on page 45 she manipulates the patients to reveal embarrassing secrets about their past by saying, "Am I to take it that there's not a man among you that has committed some act that he has never admitted?" When their secrets are revealed it is almost like the nurse has proved to herself that she is much better than these people.
Hero: I don't really see a hero in the book. It is much like The Great Gatsby, there is not much of a hero, just a narrator. Chief, the narrator just tells things how it is, and does not really have any values that distinguish him as a hero. McMurphy can't be a hero either, because he has certain values that don't match up with the values of the audience.
Anti-Hero: McMurphy is obviously an anti-hero because he has values that do not match up with others. He is overly aggressive with his sex drive, and as shown on page 41, he pretended to be crazy to get out of farm work. While he has these bad characteristics, he want's to do good for the patients in the institution. He recognized that none of the patients have fun, nobody laughs, and the nurse controls everyone. He want's to change this for the patients.
Villain: Nurse Ratched is the villain of the story, because all of the patients view her as a controlling monster. Even though it is not out rightly said, she dehumanizes the patients, treating them like they are lesser than her. For example, on page 45 she manipulates the patients to reveal embarrassing secrets about their past by saying, "Am I to take it that there's not a man among you that has committed some act that he has never admitted?" When their secrets are revealed it is almost like the nurse has proved to herself that she is much better than these people.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Final Gatsby
Why Didn't Daisy leave with Gatsby while she had the chance?
Daisy's main characteristic is weakness. She never comes out of her comfort zone, and since she had already settled down with Tom she doesn't wan't to restart her life to choose another path. She may like it better with Gatsby, but she would never consider doing something as outrageous as leave Tom.
Was Gatsby Great?
No, Gatsby was not great. The title is pure irony and it sets Gatsby up to be the hero, but in the end he is an utter failure. The place where you most see his failure in life was at the end, when nobody came to his funeral. If he was a great person and accomplished much, people would be sad when his death came. But instead, his own father skipped out, and we realize that for the most part, Gatsby was just a loser, and money can't even change that.
What were the glasses of Doctor T.J Eckleburg a symbol of?
The glasses and the eyes of Eckleburg symbolize how the upper class get much attention, and it seems like everyone is always watching them. His eyes seemed to rise up out of the fog at one point, and could be seen from much of the surrounding area.
What is the purpose of Nick in this story?
Nick, for the most part is a flat character. He does not change much at all throughout the reading, and maybe that is because he has already experienced these events. That is the reason why I think his purpose was only to have a non-biased outlook on these events, and tell the story to us how it actually happened. That's right, Nick was only in the story to narrate.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Gatsby #2
1. The purpose of Meyer Wolfsheim is to give the readers more insight into Gatsby, perhaps make us question our judgment about Gatsby. This affects the way we view Gatsby because it makes us curious as to where Gatsby acquired his money from, and whether he is a genuine good character or not.
2. Jay and Daisy's backstory leads the readers to believe that Gatsby was in deep love with Daisy. When we see that he is still in love with Daisy, we also see that Gatsby is a dedicated individual, and it makes us wan't to root for him to get Daisy and take her away from Tom.
3. The rest of Gatsby's past shows the readers that Gatsby led a dynamic life. He fought in World War I and attended Oxford. We realize that while Gatsby is rich, he knows the other side of life, and has experienced them first hand. This makes him more relate-able, and more of a hero to us.
4.Over the course of these three chapters,. I liked Gatsby more. It is obvious that he led a very adventurous life, but he is very humble about it, and does not go around forcing anecdotes about his past down other people's throats. Also, the way he is deeply in love with Daisy shows that he is dedicated, and has morals by which he abides by. As well, there is still a mysterious aura surrounding Gatsby, but not a bad aura, I feel like there is a great big thing that he did that no one knows about. So with these three things, I really enjoy reading about Gatsby.
2. Jay and Daisy's backstory leads the readers to believe that Gatsby was in deep love with Daisy. When we see that he is still in love with Daisy, we also see that Gatsby is a dedicated individual, and it makes us wan't to root for him to get Daisy and take her away from Tom.
3. The rest of Gatsby's past shows the readers that Gatsby led a dynamic life. He fought in World War I and attended Oxford. We realize that while Gatsby is rich, he knows the other side of life, and has experienced them first hand. This makes him more relate-able, and more of a hero to us.
4.Over the course of these three chapters,. I liked Gatsby more. It is obvious that he led a very adventurous life, but he is very humble about it, and does not go around forcing anecdotes about his past down other people's throats. Also, the way he is deeply in love with Daisy shows that he is dedicated, and has morals by which he abides by. As well, there is still a mysterious aura surrounding Gatsby, but not a bad aura, I feel like there is a great big thing that he did that no one knows about. So with these three things, I really enjoy reading about Gatsby.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Jelly Roll
1. The music sounds happy. And by that I mean people can listen to this music and it would lift up their spirits and help them have a good time. I can see people dancing to it at Gatsby's parties. Not exactally knowing how to dance to it, but trying anyway and having fun.
2.The mood is happy and upbeat. The music is high pitched and you can hear instruments such as flutes and drums.
3. I could see people dancing to this music back in the 1920's. I could also see people talking to people they barley know with this music playing in the background. It seems livley and fit for partying.
2.The mood is happy and upbeat. The music is high pitched and you can hear instruments such as flutes and drums.
3. I could see people dancing to this music back in the 1920's. I could also see people talking to people they barley know with this music playing in the background. It seems livley and fit for partying.
Monday, February 20, 2012
The Great Gatsby Blog #1
Having talked about hero, antihero, and villain in class, I am sure that you are completely clear on what all three are. And knowing that, you also are aware that how you classify chraracters into one of these categories is a very personal thing.
Looking at first three chapters of The Great Gatsby, make some predictions about these characters and (unlike Nick) classify them into one of the three categories - hero, antihero, and villain. Give ample reasons for your classification, with support for the text (that means quotes...and page numbers).
The narrator of this story is Nick. He is assumed to be a nice guy because on page 1 he says, "In that consequence, I'm inclined to reserve all judgments, a habit that has opened up many curious natures to me" Since he is the narrator of the book and he lets all of his deepest thoughts out, I can see that he has nothing to hide and that makes me like him, because I know that he is honest. He is a hero because his values match up to the audience and we know he wants good.
Jay Gatsby, for whom the book is titled is a man of great power and wealth. He has good qualities like he is polite and kind, and he also throws lavish parties, so people find him kindly. In the book it said that Gatsby, "understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey." (Pg 31) On the contrary, there are a few rumors floating around about Gatsby that are un-favorable. For example, On page 44 it was states that, "Somebody told me they thought [Gatsby] killed a man once." And when the audience is introduces to Gatsby, you can't help but think some of these rumors are true. While I got to know him, however, I thought Gatsby had moral judgment, but still did kill a man. Therefore he is classified as an antihero.
Tom Buchanan is an aggressive and conceited character. Many times in this story there are instances of his viciousness and crude behavior. For example, on page 37 it says, "Making a short deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand." The fact that he did this so swiftly, with no sense of embarassment or astonishment at himself classifies Tom as a villian.
Looking at first three chapters of The Great Gatsby, make some predictions about these characters and (unlike Nick) classify them into one of the three categories - hero, antihero, and villain. Give ample reasons for your classification, with support for the text (that means quotes...and page numbers).
The narrator of this story is Nick. He is assumed to be a nice guy because on page 1 he says, "In that consequence, I'm inclined to reserve all judgments, a habit that has opened up many curious natures to me" Since he is the narrator of the book and he lets all of his deepest thoughts out, I can see that he has nothing to hide and that makes me like him, because I know that he is honest. He is a hero because his values match up to the audience and we know he wants good.
Jay Gatsby, for whom the book is titled is a man of great power and wealth. He has good qualities like he is polite and kind, and he also throws lavish parties, so people find him kindly. In the book it said that Gatsby, "understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey." (Pg 31) On the contrary, there are a few rumors floating around about Gatsby that are un-favorable. For example, On page 44 it was states that, "Somebody told me they thought [Gatsby] killed a man once." And when the audience is introduces to Gatsby, you can't help but think some of these rumors are true. While I got to know him, however, I thought Gatsby had moral judgment, but still did kill a man. Therefore he is classified as an antihero.
Tom Buchanan is an aggressive and conceited character. Many times in this story there are instances of his viciousness and crude behavior. For example, on page 37 it says, "Making a short deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand." The fact that he did this so swiftly, with no sense of embarassment or astonishment at himself classifies Tom as a villian.
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