Sylvia Path was a woman that wrote a lot about suicide. She had struggled with depression throughout her whole childhood until one day it had eventually token her life. She was a very intelligent woman and was ranked number one in Cambridge University. On February 11, 1963 she had committed suicide.
“The Bee Meeting”
I love this poem because it was based on an old fashion tradition called making honey. I have a good friend of mine that makes his own honey. I can remember them talking about how they have to use smoke to smoke bees away because you don’t want to kill any of them. Then how they remove the queen and take he to other parts of the honey farm to make more honey. This is a very dangerous process because you don’t want to kill the bees. If you kill the bees you can lose your honey. What I thought was really cool is the straw hat. If you have ever seen “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” I can just picture her in this poem.
“Lady Lazarus”
This story is talking about a woman that is trying several different times to end her life. At first she says that she almost died but that was an accident. She says that she must be like a cat that has nine lives because she can never seem to get it right. The second time she wanted to go and never come back. She is angry because the medical team got involved and brought her back to life. “Dying is an art, like everything else. I do it exceptionally well”. This as we all know is ironic because this is one thing that she can’t seem to accomplish. She succeeds in real life at everything but the one thing that she wants to succeed in she fails at.
“Daddy”
The dad dies because he is a diabetic at a young age. She is angry at her dad for leaving her behind. She says that she use to pray that you would recover than she stops. At this time she refers to her dad as a Nazi general. That everybody hates him and that she is glad he is gone. She even states that she is a Jew to him and that would have never worked out even if he was here. Other words, we may be of the same flesh but we are totally different.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Rhonda Massengill "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin
James Baldwin he was considered one of the most important American black writers of the twentieth century. He was born in Harlem and was the oldest of the nine children. His dad was a minster and a strict man. Baldwin himself became a minister before he started his career as a writer.
“Sonny’s Blues”
In the beginning of the story you think that life couldn’t get any worse for the narrator. The narrator has a brother that is being put in jail for drug abuse. Around the same time his daughter dies (Grace). Earlier in his life he had lost both of his parents.
In the beginning his brother is charged with possession of heroin. The reason that his brother turns to drugs is based on the influence of the environment. It had been several years since he had seen his brother because they had a huge falling out. The only way that he knew that his brother was in jail was because he had seen his name in the newspaper. This is when he decided that he would write to his brother to let him know that he is there for him. They are able to rekindle their relationship.
Then you have the problems that he went through with the lost of his daughter. His daughter was two years old and she had polo. They didn’t know she had polo and thought she had a terrible cold. She ran a fever for a few days and seemed to be fine. His wife all of a sudden heard what she thought was a child had fallen. She went to check on the child and found her child grasping for air. She was not able to breath and shortly died after words.
Lastly we have how he’s parents died. His dad had died of alcohol poisoning and his mother had died but it doesn’t state how she had died. Before she had died she asked the narrator to take care of her little boy. That he was the strong one of the family. That is why the narrator felt obligated to take care of his brother.
One of the greatest passage that I liked in this story was ”Freedom lurked around us and I understood, at last, that he could help us to be free if we would listen, that he would never be free until we did”. I loved this passage because the narrator finally realized why music was so important to his brother and to even us today. I love music and I know through music we are able to free ourselves from all our burdens.
“Sonny’s Blues”
In the beginning of the story you think that life couldn’t get any worse for the narrator. The narrator has a brother that is being put in jail for drug abuse. Around the same time his daughter dies (Grace). Earlier in his life he had lost both of his parents.
In the beginning his brother is charged with possession of heroin. The reason that his brother turns to drugs is based on the influence of the environment. It had been several years since he had seen his brother because they had a huge falling out. The only way that he knew that his brother was in jail was because he had seen his name in the newspaper. This is when he decided that he would write to his brother to let him know that he is there for him. They are able to rekindle their relationship.
Then you have the problems that he went through with the lost of his daughter. His daughter was two years old and she had polo. They didn’t know she had polo and thought she had a terrible cold. She ran a fever for a few days and seemed to be fine. His wife all of a sudden heard what she thought was a child had fallen. She went to check on the child and found her child grasping for air. She was not able to breath and shortly died after words.
Lastly we have how he’s parents died. His dad had died of alcohol poisoning and his mother had died but it doesn’t state how she had died. Before she had died she asked the narrator to take care of her little boy. That he was the strong one of the family. That is why the narrator felt obligated to take care of his brother.
One of the greatest passage that I liked in this story was ”Freedom lurked around us and I understood, at last, that he could help us to be free if we would listen, that he would never be free until we did”. I loved this passage because the narrator finally realized why music was so important to his brother and to even us today. I love music and I know through music we are able to free ourselves from all our burdens.
Rhonda Massengill Poems by Randall Jarrell's
Randall Jarrell was a teacher, critic, and poet. Some of his most popular work of literature was done after he had served some time in prison. He was at first to become a business man inside his uncles’ studio. He’s uncle had finally agreed to send him back to school and that is where he earned his M.A. degree. From that point he ends up being an English teacher at Kenyon College. His main themes in his poems are change which affect women, children, and men in war and peace.
“Losses”
The event in this poem based on a plane crash that had happened in WWII. This could be a reflection of an event that had happened in his life. What had happened was that the pilot had gotten the concordance wrong and the planes had collated into one another. It goes on to talk about what we do to them. He goes on to state that we bombed their open ranges and shores. Lastly he talks about the rewards received for fighting in wars. He says we get a medal or if we die they say the causalities were low. I feel with this statement he is making a mockery of war. He views people that are serving in war as being under appreciated.
“The death of the Ball Turret Gunner”
In this short poem I wanted to reflect on the comment that was made at the end of the poem. This again states how military men are not appreciated they way that they should be. “When I died they washed me out of the turrent with a hose”. This image was disturbing to me. To think that they didn’t have enough respect for the soldiers to even give them a proper burial.
“In Montecito”
This poem reminds me of when I was little. The little breast reminded me of the circus and their big hot air balloons. How they prop them up and set them up for entertainment purposes. “The lips let the air out of the breasts”. Another thing that reminded me of the circus was when they were talking about Greenis Taliaferro (A tight-fighting gymnastic suit of stretch-knit fabric).
“Losses”
The event in this poem based on a plane crash that had happened in WWII. This could be a reflection of an event that had happened in his life. What had happened was that the pilot had gotten the concordance wrong and the planes had collated into one another. It goes on to talk about what we do to them. He goes on to state that we bombed their open ranges and shores. Lastly he talks about the rewards received for fighting in wars. He says we get a medal or if we die they say the causalities were low. I feel with this statement he is making a mockery of war. He views people that are serving in war as being under appreciated.
“The death of the Ball Turret Gunner”
In this short poem I wanted to reflect on the comment that was made at the end of the poem. This again states how military men are not appreciated they way that they should be. “When I died they washed me out of the turrent with a hose”. This image was disturbing to me. To think that they didn’t have enough respect for the soldiers to even give them a proper burial.
“In Montecito”
This poem reminds me of when I was little. The little breast reminded me of the circus and their big hot air balloons. How they prop them up and set them up for entertainment purposes. “The lips let the air out of the breasts”. Another thing that reminded me of the circus was when they were talking about Greenis Taliaferro (A tight-fighting gymnastic suit of stretch-knit fabric).
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Rhonda Massengill "Raisin of the Son"
The 1961 film called the “Raisin of the Sun” was based on African American heritage. In the beginning you have an extended family living under one roof. The head of the house is the grandma, then her son, her daughter, then her son’s wife, and his child. They are an extended family due to a tragedy that had struck the family. The grandpa has died due to working himself to death. His death is the beginning of major problems within the family.
The family lives in one little house with very little room. There are only two bedrooms, small living room, and a small kitchen. The first thing that happens is the son is an alcoholic. He feels like he’s a failure and tries to drink his problems away. Then we have the problem with the wife she reveals to the family that she is pregnant. Lastly, the family inherits a huge paycheck. Grandma receives 10,000 dollars to do whatever she needs to do to take care of the family. The family is very poor and has never had that much money.
Just like the old saying goes money is the root of all evil. This is found to be true according to this family. The grandma decides to take 3,500 and put a down payment on a house. Next, she decides to give her son 6,500 to put in the bank. He was to spend only 3,500 on his own business and 3,000 on his sisters’ school tuition.
This is where all the problems begin. First we have the house with the 3,500 down payment. The grandma had hunted everywhere and the only house she could find was in a white neighborhood. The white people are willing to give her extra money as long as she stays out of their neighborhood. She refuses to take them up on the offer and keeps the house. Next, her son supposedly took 3,000 dollar to the bank for his sisters’ college tuition. Instead he decides to take all the money and invest it into a business deal. The business deal goes bad and he ends up losing all the money.
At the end they decide to move to the house. The family forgives the son for making that huge mistake. Most of all, the grandma says “I think he has finally grown into a man”. Other words, he has finally realized that family is more important than money.
The family lives in one little house with very little room. There are only two bedrooms, small living room, and a small kitchen. The first thing that happens is the son is an alcoholic. He feels like he’s a failure and tries to drink his problems away. Then we have the problem with the wife she reveals to the family that she is pregnant. Lastly, the family inherits a huge paycheck. Grandma receives 10,000 dollars to do whatever she needs to do to take care of the family. The family is very poor and has never had that much money.
Just like the old saying goes money is the root of all evil. This is found to be true according to this family. The grandma decides to take 3,500 and put a down payment on a house. Next, she decides to give her son 6,500 to put in the bank. He was to spend only 3,500 on his own business and 3,000 on his sisters’ school tuition.
This is where all the problems begin. First we have the house with the 3,500 down payment. The grandma had hunted everywhere and the only house she could find was in a white neighborhood. The white people are willing to give her extra money as long as she stays out of their neighborhood. She refuses to take them up on the offer and keeps the house. Next, her son supposedly took 3,000 dollar to the bank for his sisters’ college tuition. Instead he decides to take all the money and invest it into a business deal. The business deal goes bad and he ends up losing all the money.
At the end they decide to move to the house. The family forgives the son for making that huge mistake. Most of all, the grandma says “I think he has finally grown into a man”. Other words, he has finally realized that family is more important than money.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Rhonda Massengill "Native Son" by Richard Wright
In the story the “Native Son” by Richard Wright it was based on slavery time period. In the beginning of the story you have a young man named Bigger who is seeking for a place to work. Bigger ends up going to a man’s house called the Dalton’s. Mr. Dalton is a real estate agency but has gotten most of his money through his wife. His wife, Mrs. Dalton, was rich prior to their marriage. Mrs. Dalton is blind and had lost her eyesight 10 years prior to Bigger working for them. Mrs. Dalton’s helper is away on vacation so she is left to tend to herself. Peggy is an Irish lady that has worked for the Dalton family for twenty years. She is their house keeper and their cook. Daltons end up hiring Bigger to be their caddy and drive the family around. Daltons’ daughter is a famous television star. The first mission that Bigger was supposed to do was to pick up Miss Dalton from the house and take her to her school. Miss Dalton convinces Bigger into letting her skip her classes and go meet a friend. She tells Bigger that her friend and her want to meet black people so they can learn more about them. Later on she convinces Bigger and her boyfriend Jan into taking her to the bar. They end up buying rum and Jan and Miss Dalton end up getting drunk. Miss Dalton is so drunk that she isn’t able to walk in the room without assistant. Bigger ends up helping Miss Dalton into her room and starts taking advantage of her. Next, Mrs. Dalton walks into the room to check up on her daughter. Mrs. Dalton is blind and not able to see so she didn’t know that Bigger was in the room. She lends over to make sure her daughter is in the bed and Bigger is at the end of the bed. To prevent Bigger’s cover from being blown, he covers Miss Dalton’s mouth to prevent her from talking. When Mrs. Dalton leaves the room Bigger decides to make sure that Miss Dalton is okay. This is when he discovers that she is dead.
Rhonda Massengill "Powerhouse" by Eudora Welty
In the story named “Powerhouse” by Eudora Welty this story is unique because of the rhythm of this story. The rhythm of the story is based on African American music. This story reminds me of the blues based on the way the author uses the words in this story. This story is about the blues and the coming of age of African American music. Powerhouse is the leader in the band and he plays the piano. He’s piano playing is like no other has ever seen during that time. He is filled with rhythm and movement when he plays. He’s not a showoff but a man with great talent. Valentine is another key player in the band. He specializes in bass playing. He plays in a unique fashion; he plays with his eyes closed. He plays the music by ear without having to refer to the notes. Little Brother is a clarinet player. Little Brother stands at the very front of the band. He is the one that lets the band know how many choruses are left in a song. Scoot is the man that plays the drums in his band. Scoot is not referenced at the same level as the other players are. He is not as important or as talented as the other players.
They all decide that they are going to take a trip into the town to hear other types of music. When they go into this bar they find out who their competition is. The man that is their competition is a man named Uranus Knockwood. When they are inside the bar they are recognized for their talents. The people in the bar give Powerhouse’s band special treatment based on their talents.
According to some of their songs in this story we know that women and marriage was something that they could destroy. The women were killed because of the loneness and depression they had suffered. I think that they songs was a direct reflection of how musicians deal with lose. Many don’t have that supportive wife and marriage is something that is bond to fail due to infidelity.
They all decide that they are going to take a trip into the town to hear other types of music. When they go into this bar they find out who their competition is. The man that is their competition is a man named Uranus Knockwood. When they are inside the bar they are recognized for their talents. The people in the bar give Powerhouse’s band special treatment based on their talents.
According to some of their songs in this story we know that women and marriage was something that they could destroy. The women were killed because of the loneness and depression they had suffered. I think that they songs was a direct reflection of how musicians deal with lose. Many don’t have that supportive wife and marriage is something that is bond to fail due to infidelity.
Rhonda Massengill "Flight" by John Steinback
In the story named “Flight” by John Steinbeck the setting is based on an African American’s who are no longer slaves. In the beginning of the story you have a family that is suffering from personal tragedy. The dad in the home has died due to a rattlesnake bite. Mama Torres, the mom, is taking care of her three children on her own. Pepe is the oldest boy, Emilio is the second son, and then her daughter named Rosy. Pepe the oldest child is finally being tested his manhood. Pepe is a lazy child and has very little responsibility but the family has run out of medicine. The mom sends Pepe into the city to get some medicine and salt. While Pepe is in the city he encounters some problems with a white man. The white man is saying things to Pepe and it makes him mad. Before he knew it he had stabbed the white man. Pepe runs home and tells his mom about what had happened at the bar. His mom helps Pepe gather his belongings and sends him to the mountains to hide. The mother is filled with tears once her son leaves because she feels he will die in the words. While Pepe is in the mountain his horse is killed and he is wounded by a shot from the rifle. The rifle pierces his hand and causes massive swelling. Pepe has losted his knife and he uses things in the woods to cut his hand to relieve the swelling. Pepe is able to escape from the man that shots him but his terrible journey is not over. Pepe ends up dying due to an avalanche that falls on his head and kills him.
I really loved this story but I hated the way that it ended. I really was hoping it would have ended on a positive note. What I was hoping more than anything was that he would be reunited with his family. I also hated the fact that this poor woman has lost two of her family members after surviving the mistreatment of racism.
I really loved this story but I hated the way that it ended. I really was hoping it would have ended on a positive note. What I was hoping more than anything was that he would be reunited with his family. I also hated the fact that this poor woman has lost two of her family members after surviving the mistreatment of racism.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Rhonda Massengill "On the Road" and Poetry by Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes was a successful humorist and a historian of the lives of the blacks. He was the first African American man to make a living through writing. He was also the first African writer to receive attention for realistic writing of African American heritage.
“Young Gal’s Blues” was my favorite poem because it was about life. In life we all have to say goodbye to someone that we love. In the first stanza he talks about death. Next he talks about money, those that don’t have any money. He talks about how lonely it is when you don’t have any money. You don’t have the mends to enjoy life. Lastly, he talks about love and how it affects us. We have those that never left home and found a soul mate. He talks about how they stay at home with their parents.
“Note on Commercial Theatre” another poem that I liked. This poem to me was about taking a stand. Many of the African American people weren’t able to take a stand for what they felt was right. This poem says if they are talking about you take a stand and make yourself known. The only person that can defend your name and honor is yourself.
“On the Road” was a very sad story to me. I could just see this man named Sargeant going door to door looking for shelter. I am sure when he got to the Rev. Mr. Dorset he thought finally refuge from the storm. The Reverend refused to let Sargeant into his house. Next he thinks the church will be open he could just stay at the church. The church doors are locked so he starts yelling hoping someone would let him in. He is finally able to bust open the door and then the police arrive. The police start beating Sargeant trying to get him loose from the door. The police get Sargeant loose and take him to jail. This act of violence could have been avoided if they would have given him a warm place to stay. It was the middle of winter and the poor man was freezing to death. (Ironically) Sargeant sees Christ when he is in jail. I thought this was ironic because the preacher refused to help him but Christ comes.
“Young Gal’s Blues” was my favorite poem because it was about life. In life we all have to say goodbye to someone that we love. In the first stanza he talks about death. Next he talks about money, those that don’t have any money. He talks about how lonely it is when you don’t have any money. You don’t have the mends to enjoy life. Lastly, he talks about love and how it affects us. We have those that never left home and found a soul mate. He talks about how they stay at home with their parents.
“Note on Commercial Theatre” another poem that I liked. This poem to me was about taking a stand. Many of the African American people weren’t able to take a stand for what they felt was right. This poem says if they are talking about you take a stand and make yourself known. The only person that can defend your name and honor is yourself.
“On the Road” was a very sad story to me. I could just see this man named Sargeant going door to door looking for shelter. I am sure when he got to the Rev. Mr. Dorset he thought finally refuge from the storm. The Reverend refused to let Sargeant into his house. Next he thinks the church will be open he could just stay at the church. The church doors are locked so he starts yelling hoping someone would let him in. He is finally able to bust open the door and then the police arrive. The police start beating Sargeant trying to get him loose from the door. The police get Sargeant loose and take him to jail. This act of violence could have been avoided if they would have given him a warm place to stay. It was the middle of winter and the poor man was freezing to death. (Ironically) Sargeant sees Christ when he is in jail. I thought this was ironic because the preacher refused to help him but Christ comes.
Rhonda Massengill "That Evening Sun" by William Faulkner
William Faulkner novel “That Evening Sun” was based on the transition of the slavery time period. In a time where slaves were free to live on their own but still was obligated to take care of the family. He writes about a woman named Sandy (Negro) that helps take care of the family laundry. Then we have another lady named Dilsey which is responsible for cooking and cleaning. Sandy doesn’t live with the family that she takes care of but Dilsey does. Dilsey is very sick at the beginning of the story and Sandy has to do both of their work.
Sandy is going through some marital problems with her husband named Jesus. He has just been put in jail for some type of mischief and Sandy is finally not afraid. Later on she finds out that her husband has been released from jail and she is afraid that he will kill her. The story doesn’t say that her husband was taken to jail because he abused her. I really think that might have been why he was taken to jail. Sandy convinces the dad of the family to walk her home because she is feared for her life. She at one point talks the children into walking her home because she is so sacred. The reason that she picks the white family is because black men were afraid of white people. If a black man killed a white man then they were lynched. Lynching is when you take tar and feathers and you set them on fire. This is how the white man sought revenge against a black man.
At the end of the story the dad comes and gets the children and tells Sandy that Jesus won’t hurt her. He leaves and when he leaves they hear a terrible sound. Jesus ends up showing up and kills his wife. The response that the children made is what disturbed me more than anything. They said “Who will do our washing now”! This just shows how black people were not considered people. The children didn’t more for her death instead it was treated worst than what most kids would treat their animals death. They were more worried about who would take care of them. This just broke my heart.
Sandy is going through some marital problems with her husband named Jesus. He has just been put in jail for some type of mischief and Sandy is finally not afraid. Later on she finds out that her husband has been released from jail and she is afraid that he will kill her. The story doesn’t say that her husband was taken to jail because he abused her. I really think that might have been why he was taken to jail. Sandy convinces the dad of the family to walk her home because she is feared for her life. She at one point talks the children into walking her home because she is so sacred. The reason that she picks the white family is because black men were afraid of white people. If a black man killed a white man then they were lynched. Lynching is when you take tar and feathers and you set them on fire. This is how the white man sought revenge against a black man.
At the end of the story the dad comes and gets the children and tells Sandy that Jesus won’t hurt her. He leaves and when he leaves they hear a terrible sound. Jesus ends up showing up and kills his wife. The response that the children made is what disturbed me more than anything. They said “Who will do our washing now”! This just shows how black people were not considered people. The children didn’t more for her death instead it was treated worst than what most kids would treat their animals death. They were more worried about who would take care of them. This just broke my heart.
Rhonda Massengill "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber" by Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway was born in Chicago and he was raised in a well to do family. His dad was a physician and he encouraged his son to hunt and fish. In the short story called “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber” we can see a reflection of Hemingway’s childhood through some of the events in this story. At first we have men that are gathered around the camp and they are talking about their hunting expedition. Mr. Macomber was a famous fisherman and he loved hunting. He had earned a great living by fishing and he wanted to extend his wildlife experiences. He decides to take a trip to Africa to hunt wildlife with a man named Mr.Wilson. Mrs. Macomber, his wife, decides to go with him on his journey to Africa. When Mr. Macomber got there he was afraid of the lion and many of the people made fun of him. His wife is a self-centered woman and she had even made fun of her own husband. Mr.Macomber is able to conquer his fears when he is faced with the lion. Mr. Macomber shoots the lion but it is just wounded. Fear overcomes him and he doesn’t want to make sure the lion is dead. Mr. Wilson, hunter expert, tells Mr. Macomber that they can’t an injured animal in the wild it is a safety issue. Mr.Wilson convinces Mr.Macomber that he will be safe and to check on the lion. The lion is still alive and they kill the lion. Next, they (Mr.Macomber and Mr. Wilson’s team) decide to go out and kill some buffalos. They get back to the camp his wife is ashamed of him for acting like a baby. She ends up sneaking out of the tent and sleeps with Mr. Wilson. When she attempts to sneak back into the tent her husband questions her where she had been. He realizes that she had been in Mr. Wilson’s tent. Later on they go on another expedition and this time they are after a buffalo. This buffalo is what makes a man out of Mr. Macomber. He is able to face his fears conquer them. One of his fears is the fear of death. The other is the fear of his wife leaving him. He is able to conquer these fears by standing up to the fierce buffalo and defeating it.
Then we have the tragic way the author really died and the tragic way Mr. Macomber died. Both the author and the main character died at a young age. The author he died when he was thirty years old. The character in this story Mr. Macomber was killed by his wife at the end of the hunting expedition. Mr. Macomber was probably around the same age as the author when he took his life.
Then we have the tragic way the author really died and the tragic way Mr. Macomber died. Both the author and the main character died at a young age. The author he died when he was thirty years old. The character in this story Mr. Macomber was killed by his wife at the end of the hunting expedition. Mr. Macomber was probably around the same age as the author when he took his life.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Rhonda Eng 232 "How it feels to be Colored Me" and "The Glided Six-Bits" by Zora Neale Hurston
Zora Neale Hurston
She lived in the first completely black town that was incorporated in the United States called Eatonville, Florida. Her dad was a preacher and her mom was her inspiration. She had encouraged her to “jump for the sun”. Unfortunately, at the age of thirteen her mom had died and her dad had abandoned her. He was unable to take care of her and she was passed around from one family member to the next. She found jobs working as a maid, wardrobe girl, and waitress.
“How it feels to be colored me”
In the beginning of the story the author is telling the story of her life. She lives in an all black community and change is bound to happen. Slowly she starts to notice that she is black and that there are white people. She talks about how the white people would ride through town and how they liked to hear her speak. Later on she is sent to school and she is the colored girl. She is no longer the dominate race but the white people are the dominate race. In school she is constantly being reminded about the events of slavery. The author brings up the main issue based on how whites treat blacks and how blacks treat white. How we tend to dominate those that are of minority race. She found this to be true based on where she was at. In her town they were all blacks but in her school majority of the students were white.
“The Gilded Six-Bits”
In the beginning of the story we have two people that have been married for only a year. They are still in the honey moon stage. The husband comes home from work and greets his wife with a surprise. He is always gone during the week and comes back home during the weekend. Their love for each other is so strong and in the beginning you know nothing will come between them. Like everything in life Satan is always waiting for a way to destroy your happiness. He destroys their innocence of their marriage by sending a man to tempt his wife. She is at home missing her husband and would do anything to prevent him from being gone. A man comes into their town pretending to be rich and makes her an offer. He tells her that he will pay her lots of money if she will sleep with him. She falls for his trick and agrees to sleep with him for money. What she didn’t know was that her husband would come home and catch them together. The man leaves a coin on the bed and it isn’t gold but a quarter. She then ends up pregnant and she isn’t sure if that is her husband’s baby or the ice cream man’s baby. The baby looks like her husband and he ends up forgiving his wife.
She lived in the first completely black town that was incorporated in the United States called Eatonville, Florida. Her dad was a preacher and her mom was her inspiration. She had encouraged her to “jump for the sun”. Unfortunately, at the age of thirteen her mom had died and her dad had abandoned her. He was unable to take care of her and she was passed around from one family member to the next. She found jobs working as a maid, wardrobe girl, and waitress.
“How it feels to be colored me”
In the beginning of the story the author is telling the story of her life. She lives in an all black community and change is bound to happen. Slowly she starts to notice that she is black and that there are white people. She talks about how the white people would ride through town and how they liked to hear her speak. Later on she is sent to school and she is the colored girl. She is no longer the dominate race but the white people are the dominate race. In school she is constantly being reminded about the events of slavery. The author brings up the main issue based on how whites treat blacks and how blacks treat white. How we tend to dominate those that are of minority race. She found this to be true based on where she was at. In her town they were all blacks but in her school majority of the students were white.
“The Gilded Six-Bits”
In the beginning of the story we have two people that have been married for only a year. They are still in the honey moon stage. The husband comes home from work and greets his wife with a surprise. He is always gone during the week and comes back home during the weekend. Their love for each other is so strong and in the beginning you know nothing will come between them. Like everything in life Satan is always waiting for a way to destroy your happiness. He destroys their innocence of their marriage by sending a man to tempt his wife. She is at home missing her husband and would do anything to prevent him from being gone. A man comes into their town pretending to be rich and makes her an offer. He tells her that he will pay her lots of money if she will sleep with him. She falls for his trick and agrees to sleep with him for money. What she didn’t know was that her husband would come home and catch them together. The man leaves a coin on the bed and it isn’t gold but a quarter. She then ends up pregnant and she isn’t sure if that is her husband’s baby or the ice cream man’s baby. The baby looks like her husband and he ends up forgiving his wife.
Rhonda Eng 232 "Trifles" by Susan Glaspell
Susan Glaspell
Susan’s mission was to make sure that women were heard and not ignored. She had a hard time with this because she wrote plays at a time that men dominated the playwright’s. She was raised by a middle class family. She had moved around a lot trying to find jobs that would benefit her most. Finally she came back to America and started working in New York City. She end up marrying a man named George Cook. Together they had formed the first serious of modern American drama. This drama was based on real problems that the American people faced.
Trifles
In the beginning of the story we have Sheriff that is dropping by Mr. Wright’s house to work up a business deal. Mrs. Wright is sitting in her rocker and she seems a little nervous. Hale (sheriff) asked to speak to her husband and she says no and starts to laugh. Later on Hale discovers that her husband is dead and has been hung. Mrs. Wright is then questioned and states that she was sleeping and didn’t know what happened. She states that she found him dead and that he had been hung. The sheriff asked her whether she was in the bed with her husband. Mrs. Wright states that she was in the bed with her husband but that she was a sound sleeper. The sheriff searched the home and didn’t find any proof of an intruder. What they did find was in an apron that Mrs. Wright wanted with her at jail. Inside the apron was a dead bird. Later on they discover the bird was killed the same way her husband was killed. The town people knew Mr. Wright and knew he wasn’t an animal lover. The story kind of leaves you hanging as far as knowing exactly what had killed her husband. Most of the evidence, points to Mrs. Wright that she had killed her husband because he killed her pet. I personally think that she killed her husband because he killed her pet. The way that he died and the way that they pet died is definitely too familiar to ignore.
Susan’s mission was to make sure that women were heard and not ignored. She had a hard time with this because she wrote plays at a time that men dominated the playwright’s. She was raised by a middle class family. She had moved around a lot trying to find jobs that would benefit her most. Finally she came back to America and started working in New York City. She end up marrying a man named George Cook. Together they had formed the first serious of modern American drama. This drama was based on real problems that the American people faced.
Trifles
In the beginning of the story we have Sheriff that is dropping by Mr. Wright’s house to work up a business deal. Mrs. Wright is sitting in her rocker and she seems a little nervous. Hale (sheriff) asked to speak to her husband and she says no and starts to laugh. Later on Hale discovers that her husband is dead and has been hung. Mrs. Wright is then questioned and states that she was sleeping and didn’t know what happened. She states that she found him dead and that he had been hung. The sheriff asked her whether she was in the bed with her husband. Mrs. Wright states that she was in the bed with her husband but that she was a sound sleeper. The sheriff searched the home and didn’t find any proof of an intruder. What they did find was in an apron that Mrs. Wright wanted with her at jail. Inside the apron was a dead bird. Later on they discover the bird was killed the same way her husband was killed. The town people knew Mr. Wright and knew he wasn’t an animal lover. The story kind of leaves you hanging as far as knowing exactly what had killed her husband. Most of the evidence, points to Mrs. Wright that she had killed her husband because he killed her pet. I personally think that she killed her husband because he killed her pet. The way that he died and the way that they pet died is definitely too familiar to ignore.
Rhonda Eng 232 "A Wagner Matinee" and "Paul's Case" by Willa Cather
Willa Carter
She was really weird when she was a child. She was a cross dresser and signed her name as William Cather.
A Wagner Matinee
This story reminds me of “Little House on the Prairie”. In the beginning the uncle sends a letter in the mail to inform the narrator that his aunt is coming to visit. He (narrator) receives this letter the day before she is to arrive. She travels by a wagon in the prairie and when she arrives she is sick from the long trip. Due to the dust from the road, she is covered in dirt. She arrives and he is so excited about seeing his aunt. He talks about how she was there for him when he was a child. How she would listen to him read, taught him to play the organ, and manages to cook three meals a day. He is a grown man now and has his own place that he rents. Even though he is a grown man he is still suffering from the lack of parent involvement. I really don’t know what happened to his mom but he is longing for his mom’s guidance. I can see this through the constant reference to how well his aunt is to him. Then we have the reaction that his aunt and the narrator have toward the opera. They are overwhelmed with tears during the opera and I wonder if this isn’t a reflection of something that happened in the family. This could be the first sign that his parents are dead. Again I am just speculating it really never tells you about the narrator’s family.
Paul’s Case
In the beginning of the story we have a child that is constantly getting into trouble. The story starts out with a boy named Paul who is to appear before the faculty based on his misdemeanors. His dad then sends him to a Catholic school in hopes that he will behave himself. Later on Paul ends up stealing money from Carson’s and Denny which he was suppose to deposit. The reason that Paul continues to act out is because he is striving for his dad’s attention. We find this through the reference that his dad will come and find him. He knew his dad had the money and would pay his dept. Most of all he wanted his dad to come and look for him. The sad part is when his dad does pay the men that he stole the money from but he never comes to get his son.
She was really weird when she was a child. She was a cross dresser and signed her name as William Cather.
A Wagner Matinee
This story reminds me of “Little House on the Prairie”. In the beginning the uncle sends a letter in the mail to inform the narrator that his aunt is coming to visit. He (narrator) receives this letter the day before she is to arrive. She travels by a wagon in the prairie and when she arrives she is sick from the long trip. Due to the dust from the road, she is covered in dirt. She arrives and he is so excited about seeing his aunt. He talks about how she was there for him when he was a child. How she would listen to him read, taught him to play the organ, and manages to cook three meals a day. He is a grown man now and has his own place that he rents. Even though he is a grown man he is still suffering from the lack of parent involvement. I really don’t know what happened to his mom but he is longing for his mom’s guidance. I can see this through the constant reference to how well his aunt is to him. Then we have the reaction that his aunt and the narrator have toward the opera. They are overwhelmed with tears during the opera and I wonder if this isn’t a reflection of something that happened in the family. This could be the first sign that his parents are dead. Again I am just speculating it really never tells you about the narrator’s family.
Paul’s Case
In the beginning of the story we have a child that is constantly getting into trouble. The story starts out with a boy named Paul who is to appear before the faculty based on his misdemeanors. His dad then sends him to a Catholic school in hopes that he will behave himself. Later on Paul ends up stealing money from Carson’s and Denny which he was suppose to deposit. The reason that Paul continues to act out is because he is striving for his dad’s attention. We find this through the reference that his dad will come and find him. He knew his dad had the money and would pay his dept. Most of all he wanted his dad to come and look for him. The sad part is when his dad does pay the men that he stole the money from but he never comes to get his son.
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