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.
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