Jake Wythers
Ms. Johnson
10 IB Hour Five
5/19/09
The Importance of Being Earnest Commentary
Jack. You are certainly not staying with me for a whole week as a guest or anything else.
You have got to leave... by the four-five train.
Algernon. I certainly won’t leave you so long as you are in mourning. It would be most
unfriendly. If I were in mourning you would stay with me, I suppose. I should think it
very unkind if you didn’t.
Jack. Well, will you go if I change my clothes?
Algernon. Yes, if you are not too long. I never saw anybody take so long to dress, and
with such little result.
Jack. Well, at any rate, that is better than being always over- dressed as you are.
Algernon. If I am occasionally a little over-dressed, I make up for it by being always
immensely over-educated.
In this passage from The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde’s purpose is to create humor to entertain the audience. Wilde achieves his purpose through usage of satire of Victorian conventions, conflict in dialogue, and wit.
The main way that Oscar Wilde creates humor in The Importance of Being Earnest in this passage and throughout the entire play is by satirizing the ridiculously over politeness of 19th century Victorian society. In this passage, he mocks these conventions with a disagreement between Jack and Algernon. Jack and Algernon always speak to one another with great politeness, here Jack courteously requests for Algernon’s departure, “ You are certainly not staying with me for a whole week as a guest or anything else. You have got to leave, by the four-five train,” to which Algernon just as courteously declines, “I certainly won’t leave you so long as you are in mourning. It would be most unfriendly.” (Wilde 155). This satires Victorian conventions because even though Algernon has done Jack a great insult by coming to his home in the country, both parties remain excessively polite to one another. The absurdity of this satire of manners is what is funny to the audience.
Another method that Wilde uses to create humor in this passage of The Importance of Being Earnest is by showing conflict through dialogue. Conflict, and insults in particular, are usually entertaining to the audience. In this passage, Algernon mocks Jack’s appearance, “I never saw anybody take so long to dress, and with such little result.” (Wilde 155). This dialogue is funny to the audience because of the conflict and insults that Jack and Algernon trade.
A final technique that Wilde uses to entertain and amuse the audience in this passage of The Importance of Being Earnest is wit. The characters Algernon and Jack often rebuke each other with witty remarks. In this passage, Algernon retorts Jack’s insult by saying, “If I am occasionally a little over-dressed, I make up for it by being always immensely over educated.” (Wilde 155). This response of Algernon creates humor for the audience because of the wit he shows.
Oscar Wilde’s play The Importance of Being Earnest is often very funny and entertaining to the audience. In this passage, his purpose was to amuse the audience with this humor. He achieved his purpose by using satire, conflict in dialogue, and wit.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
The Importance of Being Earnest LRJ # 4
Absurdity:
"How absurd to talk of the equality of the sexes! Where questions of self-sacrifice are concerned, men are infinitely beyond us" (Wilde 175).
Wit:
"It is a terrible thing for a man to find out suddenly that all his life he has been speaking the truth" (Wilde 182).
Social Convetions:
"True. In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing" (Wilde 174).
Act III is probably the most humorous act of The Importance of Being Earnest, because of the absurdity, wit, and social conventions used by Oscar Wilde to comedic effect. The absurdity of the play is shown especially at the end of Act III, when Jack finds out that he is really Ernest. "It is a terrible thing for a man to find out suddenly that all his life he has been speaking the truth" (Wilde 182). This incredibly ending is so unexpected and absurd that it's very funny.
Wit is another main tool of Wilde's to create humor, and this stays true in Act 3. One example is when Lady Bracknell is questioning Jack on the financial holdings of his ward, to which Jack says, "Oh, about a hundred and thirty thousand pounds in the Funds. That is all" (Wilde 178). Jack knows how important money is to Lady Bracknell, so his witty response is very funny.
Finally, Oscar Wilde continues to ridicule the social conventions of the Victorian era in Act III. The main target of Wilde's mocking satire is the extreme importance placed on being of high status in society. Lady Bracknell embodies this importance, and she often stresses it, "Never speak disrespectfully of society, Algernon. Only people who can't get into it do that." (Wilde 179). Lady Bracknell's over-the-top snottiness contributes a lot of humor in Act III.
"How absurd to talk of the equality of the sexes! Where questions of self-sacrifice are concerned, men are infinitely beyond us" (Wilde 175).
Wit:
"It is a terrible thing for a man to find out suddenly that all his life he has been speaking the truth" (Wilde 182).
Social Convetions:
"True. In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing" (Wilde 174).
Act III is probably the most humorous act of The Importance of Being Earnest, because of the absurdity, wit, and social conventions used by Oscar Wilde to comedic effect. The absurdity of the play is shown especially at the end of Act III, when Jack finds out that he is really Ernest. "It is a terrible thing for a man to find out suddenly that all his life he has been speaking the truth" (Wilde 182). This incredibly ending is so unexpected and absurd that it's very funny.
Wit is another main tool of Wilde's to create humor, and this stays true in Act 3. One example is when Lady Bracknell is questioning Jack on the financial holdings of his ward, to which Jack says, "Oh, about a hundred and thirty thousand pounds in the Funds. That is all" (Wilde 178). Jack knows how important money is to Lady Bracknell, so his witty response is very funny.
Finally, Oscar Wilde continues to ridicule the social conventions of the Victorian era in Act III. The main target of Wilde's mocking satire is the extreme importance placed on being of high status in society. Lady Bracknell embodies this importance, and she often stresses it, "Never speak disrespectfully of society, Algernon. Only people who can't get into it do that." (Wilde 179). Lady Bracknell's over-the-top snottiness contributes a lot of humor in Act III.
The Importance of Being Earnest LRJ # 3
Wit:
"It is awfully hard work doing nothing" (Wilde 138).
"Women only do that (call each other sister) when they have called each other a lot of other things" (Wilde 138).
"If you are not too long, I will wait here for you all my life" (Wilde 186).
Farce:
"The gentleman who is now embracing you is my cousin, Mr. Algernon Moncrieff" (Wilde 168).
"My darling Cecily, I think there must be some slight error. Mr. Ernest Worthing is engaged to me" (Wilde 164).
"We can't both be christened Ernest. It's absurd" (Wilde 172).
Satire:
"I am not in favor of this modern mania for turning bad people into good people at a moment's notice" (Wilde 142)
"I am glad to say that I have never seen a spade. It is obvious that our social spheres have been widely different."(Wilde 165).
Using comedy, Oscar Wilde ridicules Victorian society in his play, The Importance of Being Earnest. The main point he makes is that the politeness of the Victorian age is excessive and ridiculous. He often illustrates this by using satire, and his characters often show absurd politeness in the face of conflict. For example, during the farcical situation of Gwendolyn and Cecily believing to be marrying the same man, both women maintain comical poise and polite diction. Another subject Wilde satires is the overbearing importance of status and heritage. To provide contrast to this, Jack Worthing stated that he was born in a handbag, found in a cloakroom.
"It is awfully hard work doing nothing" (Wilde 138).
"Women only do that (call each other sister) when they have called each other a lot of other things" (Wilde 138).
"If you are not too long, I will wait here for you all my life" (Wilde 186).
Farce:
"The gentleman who is now embracing you is my cousin, Mr. Algernon Moncrieff" (Wilde 168).
"My darling Cecily, I think there must be some slight error. Mr. Ernest Worthing is engaged to me" (Wilde 164).
"We can't both be christened Ernest. It's absurd" (Wilde 172).
Satire:
"I am not in favor of this modern mania for turning bad people into good people at a moment's notice" (Wilde 142)
"I am glad to say that I have never seen a spade. It is obvious that our social spheres have been widely different."(Wilde 165).
Using comedy, Oscar Wilde ridicules Victorian society in his play, The Importance of Being Earnest. The main point he makes is that the politeness of the Victorian age is excessive and ridiculous. He often illustrates this by using satire, and his characters often show absurd politeness in the face of conflict. For example, during the farcical situation of Gwendolyn and Cecily believing to be marrying the same man, both women maintain comical poise and polite diction. Another subject Wilde satires is the overbearing importance of status and heritage. To provide contrast to this, Jack Worthing stated that he was born in a handbag, found in a cloakroom.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Atsumori Commentary
Jake Wythers
Ms Peifer
10 IB Hour Five
5/5/09
Atsumori Commentary
Wild geese were they rather, whose ranks are broken
As they fly to southward on their doubtful journey.
So days and months went by; Spring came again
And for a little while
Here dwelt they on the shore of Suma
At the first valley.
From the mountain behind us the winds blew down
Till the fields grew wintry again.
Our ships lay by the shore, where night and day
The sea-gulls cried and salt waves washed on our sleeves.
We slept with fishers in their huts
On pillows of sand.
In this passage of Atsumori, Seami Motokiyo’s purpose is to show the inferior status and uncertain future of the once great Taira tride. Motokiyo achieves his purpose through usuage of metaphor, diction, and nature imagery.
The very first line of the passage shows the disorganized state of the Taira tribe. “Wild geese were they rather, whose ranks are broken” (Motokiyo). Motokiyo uses metaphor here to aliken the Taira to a chaotic band of geese. This contributes to the audience’s perception of the Taira as no longer being mighty rulers, but mere animals who don’t know where to go.
Motokiyo’s diction in this passage contributes to his purpose. In the second line, the word “doubtful” is used to describe the Taira tribe’s journey. The word choice adds to Motokiyo’s purpose, showing that the Taira are uncertain about where to go and their flight may not even be completed.
Motokiyo also uses nature imagery to convey the impression that the Taira have lost status. “We slept with fishers in their huts/On pillows of sand” (Motokiyo). The image of the once great Taira sleeping in huts with their heads resting on sand shows the audience that the Taira have fallen. “Pillows of sand” provides a sharp contrast to the down pillows they must have slept on before.
Seami Motokiyo’s purpose in this passage of Atsumori is to show how the Taira tribe have fallen from greatness and are uncertain about their future. Motokiyo achieves his purpose through the literary devices metaphor, diction, and nature imagery.
Ms Peifer
10 IB Hour Five
5/5/09
Atsumori Commentary
Wild geese were they rather, whose ranks are broken
As they fly to southward on their doubtful journey.
So days and months went by; Spring came again
And for a little while
Here dwelt they on the shore of Suma
At the first valley.
From the mountain behind us the winds blew down
Till the fields grew wintry again.
Our ships lay by the shore, where night and day
The sea-gulls cried and salt waves washed on our sleeves.
We slept with fishers in their huts
On pillows of sand.
In this passage of Atsumori, Seami Motokiyo’s purpose is to show the inferior status and uncertain future of the once great Taira tride. Motokiyo achieves his purpose through usuage of metaphor, diction, and nature imagery.
The very first line of the passage shows the disorganized state of the Taira tribe. “Wild geese were they rather, whose ranks are broken” (Motokiyo). Motokiyo uses metaphor here to aliken the Taira to a chaotic band of geese. This contributes to the audience’s perception of the Taira as no longer being mighty rulers, but mere animals who don’t know where to go.
Motokiyo’s diction in this passage contributes to his purpose. In the second line, the word “doubtful” is used to describe the Taira tribe’s journey. The word choice adds to Motokiyo’s purpose, showing that the Taira are uncertain about where to go and their flight may not even be completed.
Motokiyo also uses nature imagery to convey the impression that the Taira have lost status. “We slept with fishers in their huts/On pillows of sand” (Motokiyo). The image of the once great Taira sleeping in huts with their heads resting on sand shows the audience that the Taira have fallen. “Pillows of sand” provides a sharp contrast to the down pillows they must have slept on before.
Seami Motokiyo’s purpose in this passage of Atsumori is to show how the Taira tribe have fallen from greatness and are uncertain about their future. Motokiyo achieves his purpose through the literary devices metaphor, diction, and nature imagery.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Chinese Literature Assignment 2
Jake Wythers
Ms Peifer
10 IB Hour Five
4/19/09
Chinese Poetry Commentary # 2
In “On Returning to Sung Mountain” Wang Wei’s purpose is to praise the peaceful qualities and natural order of life in the country. Wang Wei achieves his purpose through repetition and use of serene imagery.
One of the tools Wang Wei uses to make country life seem peaceful in “On Returning to Sung Mountain” is repetition. “Carriage horses amble with ease, with ease” (Wang Wei 2). This image gives the audience an impression of peaceful order. The repetition of the phrase “with ease” emphasizes the tranquil feeling in the scene. The word “amble” also adds to the relaxed mood.
Wang Wei uses additional imagery to strengthen the serenity of country life. “Flowing water seems to be purposeful” (3). By writing that something natural like the flow of a river has purpose, Wang Wei adds a feeling of calm order to the countryside.
Wang Wei continues to emphasize the natural order of the country with the line, “Evening birds in pairs return” (4). By pairing animals together in the environment Wang Wei adds to the feel of peaceful order in nature.
Wang Wei’s purpose in “On Returning to Sung Mountain” is to pay tribute to the calm, peaceful order of nature and life in the countryside. He achieves his purpose by using repetition and tranquil imagery.
Ms Peifer
10 IB Hour Five
4/19/09
Chinese Poetry Commentary # 2
In “On Returning to Sung Mountain” Wang Wei’s purpose is to praise the peaceful qualities and natural order of life in the country. Wang Wei achieves his purpose through repetition and use of serene imagery.
One of the tools Wang Wei uses to make country life seem peaceful in “On Returning to Sung Mountain” is repetition. “Carriage horses amble with ease, with ease” (Wang Wei 2). This image gives the audience an impression of peaceful order. The repetition of the phrase “with ease” emphasizes the tranquil feeling in the scene. The word “amble” also adds to the relaxed mood.
Wang Wei uses additional imagery to strengthen the serenity of country life. “Flowing water seems to be purposeful” (3). By writing that something natural like the flow of a river has purpose, Wang Wei adds a feeling of calm order to the countryside.
Wang Wei continues to emphasize the natural order of the country with the line, “Evening birds in pairs return” (4). By pairing animals together in the environment Wang Wei adds to the feel of peaceful order in nature.
Wang Wei’s purpose in “On Returning to Sung Mountain” is to pay tribute to the calm, peaceful order of nature and life in the countryside. He achieves his purpose by using repetition and tranquil imagery.
Chinese Literature Assignment
Jake Wythers
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB Hour Five
4/19/09
Chinese Poetry Commentary #1
In “Suffering from Heat” Wang Wei’s purpose is to glorify heaven and enlightenment. Wang Wei achieves this by using images of draught in comparison to a life unawoken. To contrast, he uses images of refreshing moisture in comparison to heaven.
In the first stanza of “Suffering from Heat”, Wang Wei focuses on the barrenness and monotony that is life without heaven. “Grasses and trees are all parched and shriveled; Rivers and swamps, all utterly dried” (Wang Wei 3-4). Though the audience doesn’t yet know that Wang Wei is writing theologically, these drought images provide a strong picture of suffering and hopelessness. Another way Wang Wei stresses the dreariness of life unenlightened is with repetition. “My clothes of linen are washed again and again” (8). The repetition of “again” makes the audience think of the tedious and monotonous existence the author is describing.
In the second stanza of “Suffering from Heat” Wang Wei expresses his desire to cross the threshold to paradise and be relieved of the heat and drought. He uses images of moisture, the opposite of drought, to glorify enlightenment. A perfect example of this imagery is, “Rivers and seas would cleanse me of troubles and dirt” (12). The audience discovers that Wang Wei has been writing about heaven in the poem with the final two lines. “I would suddenly enter the Gate of Pleasant Dew/And be at ease in the clear, cool joy”(15-16). “The Gate of Pleasant Dew” is an obvious metaphor for the gate of heaven. Wang Wei emphasizes the comfort and fulfillment of paradise with the phrase “And be at ease in the clear, cool joy”.
“Suffering from Heat” by Wang Wei is a poem about the perfection and comfort of heaven and enlightenment. Wang Wei’s purpose is to glorify this place for the audience. He achieves his purpose by describing life without enlightenment as dry and monotonous, and contrasts it with images of moisture and contentment in paradise.
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB Hour Five
4/19/09
Chinese Poetry Commentary #1
In “Suffering from Heat” Wang Wei’s purpose is to glorify heaven and enlightenment. Wang Wei achieves this by using images of draught in comparison to a life unawoken. To contrast, he uses images of refreshing moisture in comparison to heaven.
In the first stanza of “Suffering from Heat”, Wang Wei focuses on the barrenness and monotony that is life without heaven. “Grasses and trees are all parched and shriveled; Rivers and swamps, all utterly dried” (Wang Wei 3-4). Though the audience doesn’t yet know that Wang Wei is writing theologically, these drought images provide a strong picture of suffering and hopelessness. Another way Wang Wei stresses the dreariness of life unenlightened is with repetition. “My clothes of linen are washed again and again” (8). The repetition of “again” makes the audience think of the tedious and monotonous existence the author is describing.
In the second stanza of “Suffering from Heat” Wang Wei expresses his desire to cross the threshold to paradise and be relieved of the heat and drought. He uses images of moisture, the opposite of drought, to glorify enlightenment. A perfect example of this imagery is, “Rivers and seas would cleanse me of troubles and dirt” (12). The audience discovers that Wang Wei has been writing about heaven in the poem with the final two lines. “I would suddenly enter the Gate of Pleasant Dew/And be at ease in the clear, cool joy”(15-16). “The Gate of Pleasant Dew” is an obvious metaphor for the gate of heaven. Wang Wei emphasizes the comfort and fulfillment of paradise with the phrase “And be at ease in the clear, cool joy”.
“Suffering from Heat” by Wang Wei is a poem about the perfection and comfort of heaven and enlightenment. Wang Wei’s purpose is to glorify this place for the audience. He achieves his purpose by describing life without enlightenment as dry and monotonous, and contrasts it with images of moisture and contentment in paradise.
Friday, April 17, 2009
LRJ #4
1) In "O Oriole, Yellow Bird" the phrase "I must go back, go home" (Waley World Lit 515,6) is repeated in each stanza. This repetition emphasizes the feeling of longing in the poem, and the speakers desire to return home.
In "What Plant Is Not Faded" the phrase "Alas for us soldiers" (516,7) is used twice. This repetition spotlights the main point of the poem, which is to express the weariness of being a soldier.
2) The overall mood of "Quiet Night Thoughts" is tranquil and serene. Li Po conveys this mood to the audience by using images of falling asleep and dreaming.
3) In "Letters to His Two Small Children" Li Po uses nature imagery to express his solitude and feelings of longing and remorse. "This is the tree I myself put in when I left you, nearly three years past; A peach tree now, level with the eaves, and I sailing cannot yet turn home!" (Waley 11-14). This shows the author's remorse for having left his home and his children. "Oh, to sow now Turtle-shaded fields, Do the Spring things I can never join" (Waley 4-6). This usage of nature imagery emphasizes the author's strong longing to be back home.
4) Letter to Father
Oh Father, here in Wu the spring is beautiful.
The mulberry trees have glorious green leaves.
Your family tends the fields, though it seems like someone is missing.
Your daughter is now a graceful, lovely young woman.
She will be married soon.
Your little son is not so little anymore. He is strong just like his father.
We all miss our father very much.
May the winds blow you back home to us.
In "What Plant Is Not Faded" the phrase "Alas for us soldiers" (516,7) is used twice. This repetition spotlights the main point of the poem, which is to express the weariness of being a soldier.
2) The overall mood of "Quiet Night Thoughts" is tranquil and serene. Li Po conveys this mood to the audience by using images of falling asleep and dreaming.
3) In "Letters to His Two Small Children" Li Po uses nature imagery to express his solitude and feelings of longing and remorse. "This is the tree I myself put in when I left you, nearly three years past; A peach tree now, level with the eaves, and I sailing cannot yet turn home!" (Waley 11-14). This shows the author's remorse for having left his home and his children. "Oh, to sow now Turtle-shaded fields, Do the Spring things I can never join" (Waley 4-6). This usage of nature imagery emphasizes the author's strong longing to be back home.
4) Letter to Father
Oh Father, here in Wu the spring is beautiful.
The mulberry trees have glorious green leaves.
Your family tends the fields, though it seems like someone is missing.
Your daughter is now a graceful, lovely young woman.
She will be married soon.
Your little son is not so little anymore. He is strong just like his father.
We all miss our father very much.
May the winds blow you back home to us.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
LRJ #2
1) The first excerpt of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching tells people of the depth and complexity of nature, and that one should always listen to her. "The named was the mother of the myriad of creatures" (Tzu 6). This shows that Tzu is referring to nature in this excerpt. Tzu says that nature is complex and knows many things, "Mystery upon mystery- The gateway of the manifold secrets" (Tzu 12-13). To learn from nature, Tzu tells his disciples to cast aside desire and listen to her, "Hence always rid yourself of desires in order to observe its secrets" (Tzu 7)
The second excerpt is about the passive and unwanting qualities that are a staple of Taoism. "Not to value goods which are hard to come by will keep them from theft" (Tzu 2-3) This shows that by not treasuring things they will avoid trouble. The encouragement to be passive is best shown in this quote, "Do that which consists in taking no action, and order will prevail" (Tzu 11-12).
The third excerpt is about the
The second excerpt is about the passive and unwanting qualities that are a staple of Taoism. "Not to value goods which are hard to come by will keep them from theft" (Tzu 2-3) This shows that by not treasuring things they will avoid trouble. The encouragement to be passive is best shown in this quote, "Do that which consists in taking no action, and order will prevail" (Tzu 11-12).
The third excerpt is about the
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Macbeth LRJ 5
Macbeth LRJ 5
Jake Wythers
Ms Peifer
10 IB Hour Five
3/4/09
1. The most important theme in this act is the completion of prophecies. At the beginning of the okay, the Three Witches divined two prophecies, and both came full circle in this act. The Witches told Macbeth that no one born of a woman could harm him. Macbeth assumed then he was safe, as every man was born from a woman. However, the reciprocal of the prophecy proved true when Macduff, "Macduff was from his mother's womb/ untimely ripped" (5.8 15-16) struck the blow to end Macbeth's life. The second prophecy said that Macduff would never be vanquished until the Great Birnam Wood come to his castle on Dunsinane Hill. In Act Five, Macbeth's enemies shielded themselves with branches from the forest, and "The wood began to move" (5.5.35). Hence the reciprocal of the final prophecy came true as well.
2. An important image pattern in Act Five and a recurring image from the whole play is blood. Blood has been used to signify guilt throughout the story and in this act it does as well. In Act Five, Lady Macbeth has gone crazy with her guilt from the crimes she and her husband have commited. She objectifies her guilt by imagining blood covering her. "Out, damned spot! Out,I say!"(5.1 36) Lady Macbeth hallucinates that she is covered in the blood of those who she has caused the death of. This shows that blood continues to be a key image pattern signifying guilt.
Jake Wythers
Ms Peifer
10 IB Hour Five
3/4/09
1. The most important theme in this act is the completion of prophecies. At the beginning of the okay, the Three Witches divined two prophecies, and both came full circle in this act. The Witches told Macbeth that no one born of a woman could harm him. Macbeth assumed then he was safe, as every man was born from a woman. However, the reciprocal of the prophecy proved true when Macduff, "Macduff was from his mother's womb/ untimely ripped" (5.8 15-16) struck the blow to end Macbeth's life. The second prophecy said that Macduff would never be vanquished until the Great Birnam Wood come to his castle on Dunsinane Hill. In Act Five, Macbeth's enemies shielded themselves with branches from the forest, and "The wood began to move" (5.5.35). Hence the reciprocal of the final prophecy came true as well.
2. An important image pattern in Act Five and a recurring image from the whole play is blood. Blood has been used to signify guilt throughout the story and in this act it does as well. In Act Five, Lady Macbeth has gone crazy with her guilt from the crimes she and her husband have commited. She objectifies her guilt by imagining blood covering her. "Out, damned spot! Out,I say!"(5.1 36) Lady Macbeth hallucinates that she is covered in the blood of those who she has caused the death of. This shows that blood continues to be a key image pattern signifying guilt.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
sonnet 55 commentary
Shakespeare’s Sonnet 55 Commentary
Jake Wythers
Ms Peifer
10 IB Hour Five
2/21/09
The author’s purpose in Sonnet 55 is to show the immortality and beauty of poetry and this poem’s subject, love. The author achieves the purpose by comparing the subject and the poem to images of grandeur and by describing their resilience. The author finally reveals the subject of the poem in the ending couplet.
The first quartet introduces the subject of the poem and shows the enduring qualities of poetry. “Not marble, nor the gilded monuments/Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme;” By comparing the sonnet to princely monuments and marble, the author shows that poetry is equally elegant and longer lasting than these images. “But you shall shine more bright in these contents/Than unswept stone besmear’d with sluttish time.” Here the author uses “you” to show the subject of the sonnet and the sonnet’s purpose of glorifying the subject.
The second quartet strengthens the subject’s imperishability by showing that war will not destroy it. “Nor Mars his sword nor war’s quick fire shall burn/The living record of your memory.” The author brings in the powerful obliviator, war, to show that the subject is able to outlast it, unlike the aforementioned marble and statues.
The final quartet contributes to the author’s purpose by stating that even death will not slow down the subject. “Your praise shall still find room” this implies that immortal poetry will still be able to glorify the subject. The author uses this subtle allusion to strengthen both poetry and the subject.
The ending couplet of this sonnet is very important, because it finally reveals to the audience the subject of the sonnet, in addition to contributing to its enduring qualities. “So, till the judgement that yourself arise/You live in this, and dwell in lover’s eyes.” “Dwell in lover’s eyes” implies that the subject is love itself. The author also shows that this sonnet will keep love alive.
In conclusion, the author’s purpose in Sonnet 55 is to show the audience the immortality and beauty of poetry and of love. The author achieves his purpose through comparison to recognizable images of endurance and grandeur.
Jake Wythers
Ms Peifer
10 IB Hour Five
2/21/09
The author’s purpose in Sonnet 55 is to show the immortality and beauty of poetry and this poem’s subject, love. The author achieves the purpose by comparing the subject and the poem to images of grandeur and by describing their resilience. The author finally reveals the subject of the poem in the ending couplet.
The first quartet introduces the subject of the poem and shows the enduring qualities of poetry. “Not marble, nor the gilded monuments/Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme;” By comparing the sonnet to princely monuments and marble, the author shows that poetry is equally elegant and longer lasting than these images. “But you shall shine more bright in these contents/Than unswept stone besmear’d with sluttish time.” Here the author uses “you” to show the subject of the sonnet and the sonnet’s purpose of glorifying the subject.
The second quartet strengthens the subject’s imperishability by showing that war will not destroy it. “Nor Mars his sword nor war’s quick fire shall burn/The living record of your memory.” The author brings in the powerful obliviator, war, to show that the subject is able to outlast it, unlike the aforementioned marble and statues.
The final quartet contributes to the author’s purpose by stating that even death will not slow down the subject. “Your praise shall still find room” this implies that immortal poetry will still be able to glorify the subject. The author uses this subtle allusion to strengthen both poetry and the subject.
The ending couplet of this sonnet is very important, because it finally reveals to the audience the subject of the sonnet, in addition to contributing to its enduring qualities. “So, till the judgement that yourself arise/You live in this, and dwell in lover’s eyes.” “Dwell in lover’s eyes” implies that the subject is love itself. The author also shows that this sonnet will keep love alive.
In conclusion, the author’s purpose in Sonnet 55 is to show the audience the immortality and beauty of poetry and of love. The author achieves his purpose through comparison to recognizable images of endurance and grandeur.
Monday, February 16, 2009
An Unpleasant Incident
By Jake Wythers
An Unpleasant Incident
A drunken, naked man crashed through the door,
astounding all the party guests, and stumped
directly to the center of the floor.
Although his back was stooped and shoulders slumped,
his stare was so unnerving that we jumped
to make a path for him. With legs apart,
he stood and faced his audience bare-rumped.
We hushed, and when he cleared his throat to start,
we listened, half afraid that he would fart.
Without preamble, clearly free of doubt:
"Good poetry," he cried, "comes from the heart!"
With that, the bouncers came and threw him out.
Some jeered, some rolled their eyes, some held their noses,
while others smiled and mentally threw roses.
An Unpleasant Incident
A drunken, naked man crashed through the door,
astounding all the party guests, and stumped
directly to the center of the floor.
Although his back was stooped and shoulders slumped,
his stare was so unnerving that we jumped
to make a path for him. With legs apart,
he stood and faced his audience bare-rumped.
We hushed, and when he cleared his throat to start,
we listened, half afraid that he would fart.
Without preamble, clearly free of doubt:
"Good poetry," he cried, "comes from the heart!"
With that, the bouncers came and threw him out.
Some jeered, some rolled their eyes, some held their noses,
while others smiled and mentally threw roses.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Super Bowl Sunday
This year, I'm very excited to watch the Super Bowl. Last year, I considered not watching it because of the blowout it was expected to be. The world was stunned when the seemingly flawless 18-0 Patriots lost to the upstart Giants in an epic back and forth game. However, this year, the match up is expected to be intense. The high flying Arizona Cardinals' offense led by veteran quarterback Kurt Warner and stellar wideouts Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin will crash into the Pittsburg Steelers' lockdown defense of All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu and Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison. My prediction: Defense wins championships. Although I am rooting for the Arizona Cardinals as the underdogs (they have never won a Super Bowl) I expect that Kurt Warner will be unable to deal with the complex blitz packages that the #1 Steelers D will throw at him. And if he does manage to get the ball out of his hands, The Flyin' Hawaiian Polamalu and the rest of the secondary are athletic enough to get picks and pass deflections. A key player to watch will be Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who has been playing nothing short of amazing in the post season. He has already shattered the all time record for receiving yards in a single post season (held by Hall of Famer Jerry Rice), and he has one more game to go. If Fitzgerald can get involved in the game from the get go, the Cardinals could be hard to stop. On the other side of the ball, Ben Roethlisberger leads a potent Steelers offense against a somewhat improved but still shaky Cardinals D. The Cardinals have stepped up their defense in the playoffs from their hideous regular season play, but it still has major weaknesses in the secondary. Look for Big Ben to hook up with the physical and extremely talented wide receiver Hines Ward, who was the Super Bowl MVP from the Steelers victory three years ago.
That's all for now,
Jake
That's all for now,
Jake
Thursday, January 8, 2009
The Inferno Commentary
Jake Wythers
Ms Peifer
10 IB Hour 5
1/8/09
The Inferno Commentary
“Ever upon the pitch was my intent,
To see the whole condition of that Bolgia,
And of the people who therein were burned.
Even as the dolphins, when they make a sign
To mariners by arching of the back,
That they should counsel take to save their vessel,
Thus sometimes, to alleviate his pain,
One of the sinners would display his back,
And in less time conceal it than it lightens.
As on the brink of water in a ditch
The frogs stand only with their muzzles out,
So that they hide their feet and other bulk,
So upon every side the sinners stood;
But ever as Barbariccia near them came,
Thus underneath the boiling they withdrew.”
This is a significant and illustrative passage of The Inferno because it reinforces one of the most important themes in Dante's Divine Comedy. The Grafters in this circle of Hell face Divine Retribution for their sins, and their punishment is representative of their crime. Because the Grafters had “sticky” hands in life, stealing and embezzling money, they are condemned to spend eternity in sticky pitch. And just as their dealings were hidden from the world in life, their souls are now concealed in the dark pitch in death. In addition, as the Grafters took pleasure in taking advantage of their fellow man, they are now among demons who use every opportunity to take advantage of them. This symbolic retribution is a recurring theme in the Inferno and this passage exhibits it well.
This passage uses simile to describe the behavior of the Grafters boiling in the pitch. “As on the brink of water in a ditch/The frogs stand only with their muzzles out,/So that they hide their feet and other bulk,/So upon every side the sinners stood;” The sinners attempted to relieve their agony by exposing parts of their flesh above the pitch, and Dante likens them to dolphins and frogs in the water. Dante’s comparison shows that he perhaps feels empathy for the sinners being punished. The way Dante shows the sinners’ attitude toward the demons is also significant. “But ever as Barbariccia near them came,/Thus underneath the boiling they withdrew.” The sinners were so fearful of the demons that they were willing to submerge their whole bodies underneath the boiling pitch. “Withdrew” gives the image of cowering and submissiveness, and the line puts a strong image in the reader’s mind.
These lines from The Inferno were fun to read because of the easily identifiable symbolic retribution. Unlike other parts of Dante’s novel, which can be extremely difficult to analyze, the sins in this circle and their punishments could clearly be understood. The personal touch that Dante used to describe the sinners also made for an enthralling study.
Ms Peifer
10 IB Hour 5
1/8/09
The Inferno Commentary
“Ever upon the pitch was my intent,
To see the whole condition of that Bolgia,
And of the people who therein were burned.
Even as the dolphins, when they make a sign
To mariners by arching of the back,
That they should counsel take to save their vessel,
Thus sometimes, to alleviate his pain,
One of the sinners would display his back,
And in less time conceal it than it lightens.
As on the brink of water in a ditch
The frogs stand only with their muzzles out,
So that they hide their feet and other bulk,
So upon every side the sinners stood;
But ever as Barbariccia near them came,
Thus underneath the boiling they withdrew.”
This is a significant and illustrative passage of The Inferno because it reinforces one of the most important themes in Dante's Divine Comedy. The Grafters in this circle of Hell face Divine Retribution for their sins, and their punishment is representative of their crime. Because the Grafters had “sticky” hands in life, stealing and embezzling money, they are condemned to spend eternity in sticky pitch. And just as their dealings were hidden from the world in life, their souls are now concealed in the dark pitch in death. In addition, as the Grafters took pleasure in taking advantage of their fellow man, they are now among demons who use every opportunity to take advantage of them. This symbolic retribution is a recurring theme in the Inferno and this passage exhibits it well.
This passage uses simile to describe the behavior of the Grafters boiling in the pitch. “As on the brink of water in a ditch/The frogs stand only with their muzzles out,/So that they hide their feet and other bulk,/So upon every side the sinners stood;” The sinners attempted to relieve their agony by exposing parts of their flesh above the pitch, and Dante likens them to dolphins and frogs in the water. Dante’s comparison shows that he perhaps feels empathy for the sinners being punished. The way Dante shows the sinners’ attitude toward the demons is also significant. “But ever as Barbariccia near them came,/Thus underneath the boiling they withdrew.” The sinners were so fearful of the demons that they were willing to submerge their whole bodies underneath the boiling pitch. “Withdrew” gives the image of cowering and submissiveness, and the line puts a strong image in the reader’s mind.
These lines from The Inferno were fun to read because of the easily identifiable symbolic retribution. Unlike other parts of Dante’s novel, which can be extremely difficult to analyze, the sins in this circle and their punishments could clearly be understood. The personal touch that Dante used to describe the sinners also made for an enthralling study.
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