Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Prompt 3
Many plays and novels use contrasting places to represent opposed forces or ideas that are central to the meaning of the work. Choose a novel or play that contrasts two such places. Write an essay explaining how the places differ, what each place represents, and how their contrast contributes to the meaning of the work.
Overcoming Diversity
Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights revolves around two houses – Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange – and all of the conflict that develops between the pair. Strikingly different, the inhabitants of both houses inspire hatred, jealously, and dangerous passions within one another.
Thrushcross Grange and its inhabitants are the ideal, poised members of the English gentry. In this society, where wealth and status are equivalent to power and respect, the inhabitants of Thrushcross Grange look down upon anyone who is beneath their social class and refuse to associate with them (with the exception of their servants). The members of the Thrushcross Grange household pride themselves on their well mannered ways and modest behavior. Oppositely, Wuthering Heights is riddled with dysfunction. Although the families of Thrushcross Grange and Wuthering Heights are of relatively the same class, the members of Wuthering Heights remain beneath the status of Thrushcross Grange and they are faced with much more adversity. Over the course of the novel, control over Wuthering Heights changes hands numerous times as its inhabitants cannot seem to maintain a stable patriarch as the head of their household. This instability is in large due to the central character, Heathcliff, and his destructive deeds.
Thrushcross Grange is representative of the traditional upper class, gentry that lives in the calm moors of England. In contrast, Wuthering Heights is a house that is continually experiencing change and being increasingly affected by the industrialization that is happening in the more urban areas of England. Heathcliff is a prime example of the way in which industrialization is affecting Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff was originally adopted into the household after he was found abandoned in the industrialized streets of Liverpool. Despite being taken into an upper class family, Heathcliff was not accepted because of his low birth until he went away and amassed a fortune most likely through industrial efforts. Ultimately, Thrushcross Grange is representative of tradition and lineage while Wuthering Heights is representative of progress and the self-made man.
Throughout the course of the novel, the inhabitants of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange find themselves entangled in complicated love triangles and convoluted alliances. However, in the end, a marriage (of choice) between descendents of inhabitants of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange merges the two households and pushes the remaining inhabitants of both houses to overcome their marked differences. Through this union, both houses contribute to Bronte’s message that love blossoms in unlikely situations and has the power to overcome diversity.
Overcoming Diversity
Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights revolves around two houses – Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange – and all of the conflict that develops between the pair. Strikingly different, the inhabitants of both houses inspire hatred, jealously, and dangerous passions within one another.
Thrushcross Grange and its inhabitants are the ideal, poised members of the English gentry. In this society, where wealth and status are equivalent to power and respect, the inhabitants of Thrushcross Grange look down upon anyone who is beneath their social class and refuse to associate with them (with the exception of their servants). The members of the Thrushcross Grange household pride themselves on their well mannered ways and modest behavior. Oppositely, Wuthering Heights is riddled with dysfunction. Although the families of Thrushcross Grange and Wuthering Heights are of relatively the same class, the members of Wuthering Heights remain beneath the status of Thrushcross Grange and they are faced with much more adversity. Over the course of the novel, control over Wuthering Heights changes hands numerous times as its inhabitants cannot seem to maintain a stable patriarch as the head of their household. This instability is in large due to the central character, Heathcliff, and his destructive deeds.
Thrushcross Grange is representative of the traditional upper class, gentry that lives in the calm moors of England. In contrast, Wuthering Heights is a house that is continually experiencing change and being increasingly affected by the industrialization that is happening in the more urban areas of England. Heathcliff is a prime example of the way in which industrialization is affecting Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff was originally adopted into the household after he was found abandoned in the industrialized streets of Liverpool. Despite being taken into an upper class family, Heathcliff was not accepted because of his low birth until he went away and amassed a fortune most likely through industrial efforts. Ultimately, Thrushcross Grange is representative of tradition and lineage while Wuthering Heights is representative of progress and the self-made man.
Throughout the course of the novel, the inhabitants of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange find themselves entangled in complicated love triangles and convoluted alliances. However, in the end, a marriage (of choice) between descendents of inhabitants of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange merges the two households and pushes the remaining inhabitants of both houses to overcome their marked differences. Through this union, both houses contribute to Bronte’s message that love blossoms in unlikely situations and has the power to overcome diversity.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Prompt 2
Prompt 2: Choose a character in a novel or play of your choice (from the AP List!) and write about the conflict(s) that arise since they are in conflict with the society they are from. This may be socially, religiously, and/or morally. Dig deep! You should also address whether your character comes to a good/bad fate due to this conflict(s).
Heathcliff, the central character of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, transformed himself from the status of an impoverished orphan to that of a wealthy gentleman in a society that centered around social standing. Taken off of the streets of industrialized Liverpool, Heathcliff is abruptly transplanted into a class conscious village in the English countryside. With the exception of a select few, Heathcliff is immediately disliked by his new peers and shunned for his ill mannered ways. In response to losing his true love to a high society gentleman, Heathcliff embarks on an elaborate plan in which he seeks to take revenge upon those who had alienated him as a child.
The orphaned Heathcliff is adopted into Wuthering Heights, the home of the Earnshaws’. Heathcliff is adored by Mr. Earnshaw but remains tormented Mr. Earnshaw’s son, Hindley, who takes control of Wuthering Heights after his father dies. Although Heathcliff is often ostracized as a child for being a “gypsy,” he easily earns the admiration of Mr. Earnshaw’s daughter, Catherine. Heathcliff and Catherine grow to be great companions and eventually lovers. However, once Catherine matures, her desire for social advancement overpowers her feelings for Heathcliff and she begins a relationship with Edgar from the Thrushcross Grange manor. Catherine recognizes that her love for Heathcliff is greater than her love for Edgar, but her want of stability and a life of affluence pushes her to marry Edgar whose family is very respected throughout the village. Devastated by Catherine’s betrayal and tired of Hindley’s terrible treatment, Heathcliff leaves Wuthering Heights for years and vows to take revenge upon Hindley and Edgar.
Heathcliff returns to the English countryside after amassing a fortune. Despite being alienated as a child for his poor breeding, Heathcliff is now more respected for the wealth that he has gained. The first act in his plan of revenge is to obtain the property of Wuthering Heights from Hindley, who had always made his life miserable as a child. Heathcliff manipulatively gets Hindley to borrow money from him; as Hindley is unable to pay off his debts, Heathcliff slyly assumes control over Wuthering Heights.
Eager to get revenge upon Edgar for marrying Catherine, Heathcliff works to gain the property of Thrushcross Grange. In the hopes of putting himself in a position to inherit Thrusscross Grange and infuriating Edgar, Heathcliff convinces Edgar’s sister, Isabella, to marry him. After their wedding, Heathcliff treats Isabella horribly and ignores their son, Linton. At around the same time, Edgar and Catherine have a daughter, Cathy. Years pass in which Catherine and Isabella die and their children Linton and Cathy grow up. During this time, Edgar has become sickly as has Linton. Heathcliff remains resentful towards Edgar and still wants the property of Thrushcross Grange. In a desperate attempt to gain the property, he holds Cathy captive in Wuthering Heights and does not allow her to leave until she and Linton get married. Linton and Edgar die and Heathcliff, now having both properties of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange has fulfilled his quest of revenge.
Heathcliff’s actions throughout the novel Wuthering Heights all center around his quest of revenge against those who had treated him wrongly because of his low birth. In this society, a man is defined by his breeding, wealth and property. Heathcliff’s actions are driven by a need to compensate for what he was born lacking. Although Heathcliff is successful in gaining wealth and property, his vengeful actions do not make up for the loss of his true love, Catherine, and he dies a man obsessed and haunted by the memory of her.
(written in about 50 minutes)
Heathcliff, the central character of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, transformed himself from the status of an impoverished orphan to that of a wealthy gentleman in a society that centered around social standing. Taken off of the streets of industrialized Liverpool, Heathcliff is abruptly transplanted into a class conscious village in the English countryside. With the exception of a select few, Heathcliff is immediately disliked by his new peers and shunned for his ill mannered ways. In response to losing his true love to a high society gentleman, Heathcliff embarks on an elaborate plan in which he seeks to take revenge upon those who had alienated him as a child.
The orphaned Heathcliff is adopted into Wuthering Heights, the home of the Earnshaws’. Heathcliff is adored by Mr. Earnshaw but remains tormented Mr. Earnshaw’s son, Hindley, who takes control of Wuthering Heights after his father dies. Although Heathcliff is often ostracized as a child for being a “gypsy,” he easily earns the admiration of Mr. Earnshaw’s daughter, Catherine. Heathcliff and Catherine grow to be great companions and eventually lovers. However, once Catherine matures, her desire for social advancement overpowers her feelings for Heathcliff and she begins a relationship with Edgar from the Thrushcross Grange manor. Catherine recognizes that her love for Heathcliff is greater than her love for Edgar, but her want of stability and a life of affluence pushes her to marry Edgar whose family is very respected throughout the village. Devastated by Catherine’s betrayal and tired of Hindley’s terrible treatment, Heathcliff leaves Wuthering Heights for years and vows to take revenge upon Hindley and Edgar.
Heathcliff returns to the English countryside after amassing a fortune. Despite being alienated as a child for his poor breeding, Heathcliff is now more respected for the wealth that he has gained. The first act in his plan of revenge is to obtain the property of Wuthering Heights from Hindley, who had always made his life miserable as a child. Heathcliff manipulatively gets Hindley to borrow money from him; as Hindley is unable to pay off his debts, Heathcliff slyly assumes control over Wuthering Heights.
Eager to get revenge upon Edgar for marrying Catherine, Heathcliff works to gain the property of Thrushcross Grange. In the hopes of putting himself in a position to inherit Thrusscross Grange and infuriating Edgar, Heathcliff convinces Edgar’s sister, Isabella, to marry him. After their wedding, Heathcliff treats Isabella horribly and ignores their son, Linton. At around the same time, Edgar and Catherine have a daughter, Cathy. Years pass in which Catherine and Isabella die and their children Linton and Cathy grow up. During this time, Edgar has become sickly as has Linton. Heathcliff remains resentful towards Edgar and still wants the property of Thrushcross Grange. In a desperate attempt to gain the property, he holds Cathy captive in Wuthering Heights and does not allow her to leave until she and Linton get married. Linton and Edgar die and Heathcliff, now having both properties of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange has fulfilled his quest of revenge.
Heathcliff’s actions throughout the novel Wuthering Heights all center around his quest of revenge against those who had treated him wrongly because of his low birth. In this society, a man is defined by his breeding, wealth and property. Heathcliff’s actions are driven by a need to compensate for what he was born lacking. Although Heathcliff is successful in gaining wealth and property, his vengeful actions do not make up for the loss of his true love, Catherine, and he dies a man obsessed and haunted by the memory of her.
(written in about 50 minutes)
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Prompt 1
Prompt 1: Choose a symbol used in a novel or play of your choice and discuss its function in the world of the work.
Finding Stability in the West
In J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, the main character, Holden, is a student who is currently in between prep schools after being expelled for failing too many classes. Not wanting to return home, Holden spends a few days wandering the city where he desperately tries to reconnect with some of his old schoolmates and create new relationships. Feeling lost and alone, Holden turns to disinterested cab drivers, middle-aged tourists and greedy prostitutes looking for companionship with most of his efforts failing. During Holden’s journey back home to his little sister, Phoebe, the reader witnesses Holden’s insecurities and confusion as he faces the harsh realities that come with growing older.
At seventeen, Holden is on the brink of adulthood and about to experience much change in his life. Holden, however, does not want to face this fact and is seeking a place where everything can stay the same. Holden is intrigued with the ducks in the park wondering where they have gone and when they will come back as change is unsettling to him. Oppositely, Holden finds solace in museums as the displays have remained the same since he was a child and continue to remain the same with each of his return visits. Searching for the same stability in his life, Holden dreams of going to the west and living in a cabin. To Holden, the west represents a perfect place where nobody knows him and it gives him a chance to start over.
In his narration, Holden often claims to enjoy his solitude. However, it is evident through his actions that he seeks companionship. Initially, Holden appears to be very judgmental of others, often criticizing the people he meets and acting as though he is superior to them. Further on it becomes clear that he uses this as a self defense mechanism; by making others appear lower than himself, Holden protects himself from getting hurt when those people lose interest in him. Because Holden is very insecure and unsure of himself as a person, going west to a place where no one knows him seems like a dream; Holden fantasizes about pretending to be a deaf-mute when he reaches the west so that he will not have to interact with others or face rejection. Holden’s fear of rejection causes him to feign enjoyment in solitude. This need for acceptance is expressed through his dream of going west.
Throughout the novel, Holden fails to realize that his plan to run to the west is unrealistic. When out on a date with Sally Hayes, an old school friend, Holden first reveals his plan to leave for the west. Holden excitedly proposes that Sally come with him to west where they can get married and live together in a cabin. Holden’s excitement soon turns to anger and resentment when Sally rejects his offer and points out the very realistic flaws in his plan. Not wanting to face the fact that his dream is ridiculous, Holden walks out and leaves Sally on their date. Holden’s consistent refusal to believe that his plan is flawed shows the extent to which he is mentally breaking down. Desperate for an escape from the changes that surround him, Holden behavior has become irrational and his thinking has become illogical. He consistently seeks the west because of his need for control.
Finding Stability in the West
In J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, the main character, Holden, is a student who is currently in between prep schools after being expelled for failing too many classes. Not wanting to return home, Holden spends a few days wandering the city where he desperately tries to reconnect with some of his old schoolmates and create new relationships. Feeling lost and alone, Holden turns to disinterested cab drivers, middle-aged tourists and greedy prostitutes looking for companionship with most of his efforts failing. During Holden’s journey back home to his little sister, Phoebe, the reader witnesses Holden’s insecurities and confusion as he faces the harsh realities that come with growing older.
At seventeen, Holden is on the brink of adulthood and about to experience much change in his life. Holden, however, does not want to face this fact and is seeking a place where everything can stay the same. Holden is intrigued with the ducks in the park wondering where they have gone and when they will come back as change is unsettling to him. Oppositely, Holden finds solace in museums as the displays have remained the same since he was a child and continue to remain the same with each of his return visits. Searching for the same stability in his life, Holden dreams of going to the west and living in a cabin. To Holden, the west represents a perfect place where nobody knows him and it gives him a chance to start over.
In his narration, Holden often claims to enjoy his solitude. However, it is evident through his actions that he seeks companionship. Initially, Holden appears to be very judgmental of others, often criticizing the people he meets and acting as though he is superior to them. Further on it becomes clear that he uses this as a self defense mechanism; by making others appear lower than himself, Holden protects himself from getting hurt when those people lose interest in him. Because Holden is very insecure and unsure of himself as a person, going west to a place where no one knows him seems like a dream; Holden fantasizes about pretending to be a deaf-mute when he reaches the west so that he will not have to interact with others or face rejection. Holden’s fear of rejection causes him to feign enjoyment in solitude. This need for acceptance is expressed through his dream of going west.
Throughout the novel, Holden fails to realize that his plan to run to the west is unrealistic. When out on a date with Sally Hayes, an old school friend, Holden first reveals his plan to leave for the west. Holden excitedly proposes that Sally come with him to west where they can get married and live together in a cabin. Holden’s excitement soon turns to anger and resentment when Sally rejects his offer and points out the very realistic flaws in his plan. Not wanting to face the fact that his dream is ridiculous, Holden walks out and leaves Sally on their date. Holden’s consistent refusal to believe that his plan is flawed shows the extent to which he is mentally breaking down. Desperate for an escape from the changes that surround him, Holden behavior has become irrational and his thinking has become illogical. He consistently seeks the west because of his need for control.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)