O'Brien creates an intentional paradox for his readers when he writes the violent, but grabbing story of Rat Kiley and then at the end of the story, tells the reader that the characters and events of the story did not happen just as he described them, but that they happened in a totally different way to other people. But he insists that the story is true. With this, O'Brien challenges the reader to discover the truth of the event. O'Brien gets the reader to figure out what fiction of this book is actually worth. Firstly, did O'Brien confuse the reader when he said that the events did not happen after the reader became involved in those events?
Life Sucks Screen play adaptations commonly differ from the book on which they are based. Just like gossip between peers is enhanced for entertainment purposes, films are enhanced for these purposes as well. Between Frankenstein, a novel by Mary Shelley, and the screen play adaptation, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, by Kenneth Branagh, there are numerous differences in detail. Nonetheless, there are similarities in the undertone of both mediums that portray mutual morals. However, it would be a blatant falsehood to say that this film adaptation is free from inaccuracy, somehow above reproach, or indeed perfect.
Review of Rupert Goold’s Macbeth I’ll admit, though it may get me beaten by some theater lovers, I’m not the biggest fan when it comes to Shakespeare productions. However, this rendition created by Rupert Goold with Patrick Stewart as lead man playing Macbeth, left a good taste in my mouth. The film opens in what seems to be a hospital ward in a time of fascism and violence; probably around the 1930’s if I had to guess. There’s enough blood, screaming, and morbidity to go around in what is just the preamble to the production which really sets the tone for is what to come. The actors speak Shakespeare’s dialogue eloquently and beautifully which I can personally deem as poetry in motion.
Question before the Procession Shirley Jackson’s use of literary techniques in The Lottery is a true work of genius. She strategically uses irony in many places such as the story’s title, the setting an even in certain character’s personality traits. Another important literary technique used by Jackson is symbolism. The black box and the story’s title seem to create a range of associations outside themselves such as the importance of questioning irrational traditions and the unexpected nature of death. With the use of these two literary techniques, (irony and Symbolism) Shirley Jackson is able to emphasize important dramatic events within the plot.
Williams has read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and where Julius Lester does not understand the novel, Williams does. He begins bye recapping the book’s long, history of censorship. “The earliest censors… believed the novel would corrupt the young” (Williams 98). In the story, Huck would spit and do rude things that were believed to be unsuitable for young readers at the time. These opinions have, however, changed.
Chillingworth is a doctor but who is he helping? In the novel, The Scarlett Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the vengeful Chillingworth skillfully and quietly tortures Reverend Dimmesdale and Hester Prynne for their passionate affair. Just as the book states “The intellect of Roger Chillingworth had now a sufficient plain path before it. It was not indeed precisely that which he had laid out for himself to tread.” If this is so, how and why does he end up inflicting the psychological trauma that he does? It appears that Hawthorne infers Chillingworth initially had another plan, a plan that would not ruin Arthur Dimmesdale’s life.
John Mackey Mrs. White Honors English 10/ 4th period 4 March 2012 Ironic Downfall into the Catacombs The literary devices irony and foreshadowing are used to accent one another. Edgar Allan Poe craftily uses both of these devices in order to make his stories tricky and deceitful to the characters but obvious to the reader. As the devices intertwine they allow for stories to become more complex and meaningful. In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado”, Poe uses irony to foreshadow Fortunato’s downfall through the Montresor coat of arms, the origin of the characters’ names, and the use of the Free Masons. The Montresor family crest, the human foot d’or, accompanied by its motto, Nemo me impune lacesit (No one insults me with impunity),
‘The Yellow Wall-Paper’ Argues without Argument ‘The Yellow Wall-Paper’ is a complex short story told though the point of view of a sarcastic and insane protagonist, who has rapidly changing ideas about her surroundings, other characters and even her own psychological state. Because of this, readers may come to a variety of conclusions about major plot points and themes. Puzzled, readers will identify the piece as a horror story—a vivid portrayal of insanity with unsettling realism. This is indeed the conscious conclusion that Charlotte Perkins Gilman intends for her readers to form. However, the piece is so much more than a simple horror story; it is a deceptively hidden but powerful essay on female equality and marriage, two topics about which Gilman wrote frequently.
March 15, 2012 Huckleberry Finn In the novel Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain describes American society and how lying verses the truth has become a double standard. Lying has been taught and made out to be a terrible act that is looked down upon. Lies usually turn out to be a lot more complex and rather difficult, than just telling the truth. People use lying as an easy way out, they use it to escape troubles and avoid difficult situations. Generally it’s acceptable to lie to protect yourself but at the same time many take advantage of that.
Steven turns into a awful man who knows he has the advantage of Ann for the night, “but in a storm like this you are not expecting john?” (236). Over and over Steven kept reminding her that John would not be coming home tonight but that he would not be coming at all. Ann began to be afraid of Steven but then she knew that he was a safe friend but he still had a fright among him, “there was something strange, almost terrifying, about this Steven and his quiet unrelenting smile” (237). The mood had some fear in it, what should Ann do. Steven seemed to be acting as if something was going to happen.