Journal Entry 2 (A Street Car Named Desire)
The unhappiness In Stella and Stanley’s relationship reveals itself when Stanley hosts a drunken poker game with his male friends at the apartment. Blanche gets under Stanley’s skin when she starts to win the affection of his close friend Mitch. Stanley has a very animalistic personality, and this shows when he storms into the bedroom, and throws the radio out of the window. And then when Stella yells at Stanley in defense, Stanley beats her. As I read this part I wondered why Stella would be with a man that would hit her, and act completly like a ravenous animal. This told me that Stella has to be very much in love with him, and must see that Stanley's good qualties outweigh his bad ones. As for me I would never be married to a man that was violent and abusive.
In scene seven you finally find out the truth and all of Blanches lies reveal themselves. It is the afternoon of Blanches birthday, and Stanley comes in and reveals to Stella that he knows all about Blanches past. You find out that after losing Belle Reve Blanche moved into a motel which she was eventually evicted from because of her numerous sexual liasions. Also she was never told to take a break for a while from teaching becasue of her "nerves" , she was fired from her job as a schoolteacher because the principal discovered that she was having an affair witha teenage student. As I read this part, I connected the scene when Blanche kisses the teenage boy that comes by to collect money for the newspaper. Blanche seems like the type of person to do just about anything to get money.
3
When I finished the drama, I felt really bad for Blanche even though she pretty much lied about everything from the very beginning. I believe that people do and become certain things, whether they are bad or good based off of their life experiences and what they had been through. Blanche was probaly not always the way that she was, but she became that way because of the suicide of her first husband, obviously it was still something that she thought about everyday, because she would always hear the "poker music". Blanche was a very messed up person, and when Stanley raped her, that probably did not help matters. At the end of the drama Blanche is expecting her rich friend to come pick her up, but really a doctor arrives with a nurse to come pick up Blanche and take her to a mental faciility, Blanche initially panics and struggles againist them when they try to take her away. But the doctor approaches Blanche is more of gentle manner and convinces her to leave with him. She allows him to lead her away and does not look back and say goodbye as she goes. I think that this shows that, Blanche is finally not lieing to herself , and accepting that she needs help, and is not fighting it anymore.
As for Mitch I think he really loved Blanche and cared for her. This was shown when he cried as the doctor took her away. And if Balnche had told Mitch the truth from the beginning of there realtionship things would have been very different. I think he would be a little troubled by it at first, but in the end might accept her past and might be able to move on and look to the future. However that is not what happened and the end result of the drama showed me that.
- Tessy Diaz
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Denise Perez --] Crime and Punishment - Journal # 2
9/7/11
Crime and Punishment - Journal # 2
Quite a lot has happened so far. My character analysis of Raskolnikov was, gravely very right. Although I was a little shocked that he murdered both the pawnbroker and her sister. I suspected Raskolnikov was off, but not that off. (-: I was also a little disturbed as well how the book says he killed them both without hesitation. I guess that’s why it is very dangerous to hate someone, as Raskolnikov did, and to entertain the thought of their demise.
After awhile, things will start to happen that’ll coax you into committing whatever evil you’re thinking of. Which we can see was happening to Raskolnikov when he kept thinking about killing the pawnbroker. There is also the introduction of Raskolnikov’s best friend Razumikhin. He seems to really care for our main character, despite his current bitter attitude, and helps him out a great deal so far.
Raskolnikov’s sister, Dunya, seems to really care for him as well, and sounds like a sweet, kind woman to risk her own happiness for the sake of Raskolnikov possibly gaining his life back. Dunya’s fiance Luzhin, despite my hope of him being presented in the story as a gentleman who genuinly loves Dunya, is a real trouble maker and seems to very pompous in attitude. I find it almost sad at the state in which Raskolnikov is now, (though I do commend him on his correct guess on Luzhin’s true nature), and I wonder if his end in the book will be an unpleasant one. He always has a very negative aura residing above him now, and I’m not sure who he is anymore. I don't even think Raskolnikov recognizes himself either at this point, having already committing the crime of killing two innocent people in cold-blood.
Crime and Punishment- Journal # 3
I’m glad that the book ended on a sort of, happy note. Raskolnikov finally does the right thing in confessing to the murders, where justice is served, also with the help of Sonya, Porfiry Petrovich, Razumikhin, (and Raskolnikov’s landlady? (-: ) he receives a “light punishment”. Although, I believe that Sonya’s chracter played an even bigger role towards the end of the story, by pushing Raskolnikov to admit his crimes, and to lead him on the right path to Christianity (or peace in repentance for his sins. ) It was truly touching to read about how Sonya became so dedicated to Raskolnikov(despite his often selfish nature), and to witness their love for each other grow.
Dunya’s marriage to Razumikhin became a happy moment for me as well while reading the last part of ‘Crime and Punishment’, seeing all the hardship she had to go through with dismissing Luzhin, and fighting off Svidrigailov in the apartment, Dunya deserved to finally be with the one she actually loved. This book was truly not what I had expected it to be and greatly consider it to be a classic. Although the it takes a generally long pace, it is rewarding to read, and teaches you a lot about the value of life through the tragic deaths of some of the characters in the story. For example. the death of Katrina Ivanovna, really shows how dangerous a thing it is to have a starvation for wealth and to rely on money to make you happy in life.
Overall, ‘Crime and Punishment’ became a very memorable read for me and highly suggest it for other readers determined to increase their level of reading and writing skills.
Crime and Punishment - Journal # 2
Quite a lot has happened so far. My character analysis of Raskolnikov was, gravely very right. Although I was a little shocked that he murdered both the pawnbroker and her sister. I suspected Raskolnikov was off, but not that off. (-: I was also a little disturbed as well how the book says he killed them both without hesitation. I guess that’s why it is very dangerous to hate someone, as Raskolnikov did, and to entertain the thought of their demise.
After awhile, things will start to happen that’ll coax you into committing whatever evil you’re thinking of. Which we can see was happening to Raskolnikov when he kept thinking about killing the pawnbroker. There is also the introduction of Raskolnikov’s best friend Razumikhin. He seems to really care for our main character, despite his current bitter attitude, and helps him out a great deal so far.
Raskolnikov’s sister, Dunya, seems to really care for him as well, and sounds like a sweet, kind woman to risk her own happiness for the sake of Raskolnikov possibly gaining his life back. Dunya’s fiance Luzhin, despite my hope of him being presented in the story as a gentleman who genuinly loves Dunya, is a real trouble maker and seems to very pompous in attitude. I find it almost sad at the state in which Raskolnikov is now, (though I do commend him on his correct guess on Luzhin’s true nature), and I wonder if his end in the book will be an unpleasant one. He always has a very negative aura residing above him now, and I’m not sure who he is anymore. I don't even think Raskolnikov recognizes himself either at this point, having already committing the crime of killing two innocent people in cold-blood.
Crime and Punishment- Journal # 3
I’m glad that the book ended on a sort of, happy note. Raskolnikov finally does the right thing in confessing to the murders, where justice is served, also with the help of Sonya, Porfiry Petrovich, Razumikhin, (and Raskolnikov’s landlady? (-: ) he receives a “light punishment”. Although, I believe that Sonya’s chracter played an even bigger role towards the end of the story, by pushing Raskolnikov to admit his crimes, and to lead him on the right path to Christianity (or peace in repentance for his sins. ) It was truly touching to read about how Sonya became so dedicated to Raskolnikov(despite his often selfish nature), and to witness their love for each other grow.
Dunya’s marriage to Razumikhin became a happy moment for me as well while reading the last part of ‘Crime and Punishment’, seeing all the hardship she had to go through with dismissing Luzhin, and fighting off Svidrigailov in the apartment, Dunya deserved to finally be with the one she actually loved. This book was truly not what I had expected it to be and greatly consider it to be a classic. Although the it takes a generally long pace, it is rewarding to read, and teaches you a lot about the value of life through the tragic deaths of some of the characters in the story. For example. the death of Katrina Ivanovna, really shows how dangerous a thing it is to have a starvation for wealth and to rely on money to make you happy in life.
Overall, ‘Crime and Punishment’ became a very memorable read for me and highly suggest it for other readers determined to increase their level of reading and writing skills.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
David Peraj Journals Crime and Punishment
Journal #1
I have begun to read Crime and Punishment and so far the book has been a little slow. The main character Raskolinkov, who is a former student, has developed feelings of isolation toward other people. He spends most of his time trying to figure out how to pay for his rent and needs to survive. To do this he had pawned his sister’s ring and father’s watch. However he receives the money from Alyona who gives him little. Throughout the story Raskolinov expresses feelings of hypocrisy and confusion. His hypocrisy is due to every time he gives what little money he has he regrets it and states that he never should have cared. His personality and opinions toward other characters are one that I have rarely read as he makes the constant effort to not interact with anyone.
However toward the end of part 1 Raskolinov commits murder of Alyona and her sister. He appears hesitant but finally commits the act in order to gain money. Though his actions caused Raskolinov to kill her sister so there would be no witnesses. The end of part one has the most suspense, action, and keeps the reader guessing as to whether or not Raskolinov can commit and get away with murder.
Journal #2
The novel transitions from the crime of Raskonikov planning and killing Alyona to his dilemma with himself in whether or not to confess the crime of murder. Due to his constant turmoil he is left sick and weak, he is constantly angry and suffers from excessive faints. Raskolnikovs attitude is one of selfishness as he is places his anger toward everyone and somehow deems himself superior which allowed him to committed murder. Sadly Raskolnikov does not appear to be the superior person he thought himself and suffers extensively from the murder. His emotions take a hold of him as he will constantly change based on what is said by the people around him. Since Raskonikov has a hatred of people he cannot restrain himself by constantly becoming agitated and letting his emotions get the better of him.
The characters of Dunya and Razumikhin appear to be opposites of Raskolnikov as Dunya is confronted with constant obstacles and yet maintains her confidence and intellect. Dunya greatly contrasts Raskolnikov as she analyzes what is best as opposed to Raskolnikovs constant outbursts and pushing everyone further and further. She posses the strength of character Raskolnikov had believed he himself had and that is why he eventually succumbed to the anxiety of his crime.
Journal #3
The ending of “Crime and Punishment” is somewhat expected and at the same time lacking. In part 6, Raskolnikov gains strength not by himself but by gaining it from Sonya. However he falters very quickly but she is there to manage to enable him to confess. At his trial Raskonikov is given a lesser sentence due to not knowing how much money he stole and Porfiry Petrovich does not state anything about Raskolnikovs guilt to his crime. It is interesting to see that part 6 and the epilogue appear to be conflicting at times. Raskolnikov still maintains his isolationism from the other prisoners and even has an ambiguous relationship with Sonya. Through his constant turmoil through the book and what appears as his emotions finally coming to a rest we see Raskolnikov revert back to his previous ways of thinking to the point of driving Sonya somewhat away.
I feel the ending was supposed to show Raskolnikov being redeemed as halfway. Though he confesses he still holds on that the reason for the confession was a mistake and not guilt. Raskolnikovs character is very ambiguous as there are points where he is shown to have human interaction with Sonya and yet he seems to believe himself better than others in some form or another. The Epilogue seems to leave Raskolnikovs character in the middle of being truly redeemed or having not changed in the slightest. It should have shown that his character had truly changed in which he understands that he is not above all others and has to accept his humanity regardless of his beliefs toward others.
I have begun to read Crime and Punishment and so far the book has been a little slow. The main character Raskolinkov, who is a former student, has developed feelings of isolation toward other people. He spends most of his time trying to figure out how to pay for his rent and needs to survive. To do this he had pawned his sister’s ring and father’s watch. However he receives the money from Alyona who gives him little. Throughout the story Raskolinov expresses feelings of hypocrisy and confusion. His hypocrisy is due to every time he gives what little money he has he regrets it and states that he never should have cared. His personality and opinions toward other characters are one that I have rarely read as he makes the constant effort to not interact with anyone.
However toward the end of part 1 Raskolinov commits murder of Alyona and her sister. He appears hesitant but finally commits the act in order to gain money. Though his actions caused Raskolinov to kill her sister so there would be no witnesses. The end of part one has the most suspense, action, and keeps the reader guessing as to whether or not Raskolinov can commit and get away with murder.
Journal #2
The novel transitions from the crime of Raskonikov planning and killing Alyona to his dilemma with himself in whether or not to confess the crime of murder. Due to his constant turmoil he is left sick and weak, he is constantly angry and suffers from excessive faints. Raskolnikovs attitude is one of selfishness as he is places his anger toward everyone and somehow deems himself superior which allowed him to committed murder. Sadly Raskolnikov does not appear to be the superior person he thought himself and suffers extensively from the murder. His emotions take a hold of him as he will constantly change based on what is said by the people around him. Since Raskonikov has a hatred of people he cannot restrain himself by constantly becoming agitated and letting his emotions get the better of him.
The characters of Dunya and Razumikhin appear to be opposites of Raskolnikov as Dunya is confronted with constant obstacles and yet maintains her confidence and intellect. Dunya greatly contrasts Raskolnikov as she analyzes what is best as opposed to Raskolnikovs constant outbursts and pushing everyone further and further. She posses the strength of character Raskolnikov had believed he himself had and that is why he eventually succumbed to the anxiety of his crime.
Journal #3
The ending of “Crime and Punishment” is somewhat expected and at the same time lacking. In part 6, Raskolnikov gains strength not by himself but by gaining it from Sonya. However he falters very quickly but she is there to manage to enable him to confess. At his trial Raskonikov is given a lesser sentence due to not knowing how much money he stole and Porfiry Petrovich does not state anything about Raskolnikovs guilt to his crime. It is interesting to see that part 6 and the epilogue appear to be conflicting at times. Raskolnikov still maintains his isolationism from the other prisoners and even has an ambiguous relationship with Sonya. Through his constant turmoil through the book and what appears as his emotions finally coming to a rest we see Raskolnikov revert back to his previous ways of thinking to the point of driving Sonya somewhat away.
I feel the ending was supposed to show Raskolnikov being redeemed as halfway. Though he confesses he still holds on that the reason for the confession was a mistake and not guilt. Raskolnikovs character is very ambiguous as there are points where he is shown to have human interaction with Sonya and yet he seems to believe himself better than others in some form or another. The Epilogue seems to leave Raskolnikovs character in the middle of being truly redeemed or having not changed in the slightest. It should have shown that his character had truly changed in which he understands that he is not above all others and has to accept his humanity regardless of his beliefs toward others.
Siera Evans---Streetcar
Journal#2 - A Streetcar Named Desire
I’m halfway through the book and boy, did it get spicy! It turns out that I was right on my chracter analysis for Stanley. After I read about him assaulting Stella, everything positive that I felt about him went out the window. The fact that Stella just went on back to him suprises me even more. How foolish can she be? Here I thought she was the sensible character of the book, but I guess I was wrong about her. Once a man puts his hands on you, there is no second chance ( at least in my opinion).
Then, when we finally get a little sneak peak at Blanche’s past in scene six, is where the story really turns tragic. I would never have expected the twist that explained the death of Blanche’s first husband. If I found out about my husband being...well you know. I would be “messed up” too. The relatinship between Mitch and Blanche is kind of cute as well, and I believe that’s the only thing that’s keeping Blanche stable at this point.
Finding love must really be importent to her emotionally. Which is why I guess she kissed the delivery guy out nowhere...I guess to make herself feel better. My fear is that Stanley will be the cause of their split. It’s very clear that he doesnt like Blanche, at all, and is really trying his best to tear her down, pull out all the cards he can on her, saying that she was once a very popular prostitute at a cheesy hotel, and even going so far as spreading it to other people. Ultimately, it looks like he wants to just get rid of her.
I wonder if Stella even knows the real truth about her sister, because even with the mystery of her precious husbands death revealed, Blanche’s history is still unknown.....
Journal#3 - A Streetcar Named Desire
After I finished this book, all I could do was be sad. I felt extremely sorry for Blanche, who I now see is really the main focus of the play all along. I kind of understand what Mitch did to Blanche, he clearly loved her, but the rumors that Stanley and the other men must have spread at the factory only shook his feelings for her. After all, Blanche did admit in a way that she lied to him and told him the truth about her past at the “Tarantula” and Laurel. If I were Mitch, and I had just heard that my girlfriend, was indeed an “ex-entertainer” at a shady hotel, already “involved” herself with a numerous amount of men before she came here, and was also involved with a seventeen year old, which was the reason she had lost her previous job, I would be pretty upset too. Definitely not the type you would want to bring home to your mother (-: . However, I still cant help but feel sorry for Blanche.
I don't think she really intended to lie to Mitch, but to just ‘protect’ him from the truth of what she once was, and if it wasn't for Stanley, she probably could have started fresh in New Orleans with Mitch. Although, the truth is always the way to go, because whatever you do in secret, will eventually come to the light so its better to tell the truth, even if it hurts. Now what happened when Stanley came back after, mind you, his wife was about to give birth to his child, was just disgusting and vile. How in the world you could posses yourself to sleep with your wife’s sister is beyond me. In my mind, Stanley is now the exact definition of a brute, savage, animal, who deserves to get a piece of his own pie given to him. How, Stella could not believe Blanche, her own sister, about what happened is beyond me as well. Instead of throwing the “animal” out of the house, she agrees with Stanley and throws her own sister out, guided by the idea of Blanche’s loss of sanity.
Sure Blanche had a little bit of problems, but I’m sure they could have been worked out if Stella payed more attention to her, but how harsh can she be, putting her own sister in a nuthouse!
Overall, I loved ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ and was absolutely mesmerized by the dramatic twists and turns that followed each scene. This book is definitely a ‘must read’ and I’m sure would be enjoyed in RKA if given the chance on stage.
I’m halfway through the book and boy, did it get spicy! It turns out that I was right on my chracter analysis for Stanley. After I read about him assaulting Stella, everything positive that I felt about him went out the window. The fact that Stella just went on back to him suprises me even more. How foolish can she be? Here I thought she was the sensible character of the book, but I guess I was wrong about her. Once a man puts his hands on you, there is no second chance ( at least in my opinion).
Then, when we finally get a little sneak peak at Blanche’s past in scene six, is where the story really turns tragic. I would never have expected the twist that explained the death of Blanche’s first husband. If I found out about my husband being...well you know. I would be “messed up” too. The relatinship between Mitch and Blanche is kind of cute as well, and I believe that’s the only thing that’s keeping Blanche stable at this point.
Finding love must really be importent to her emotionally. Which is why I guess she kissed the delivery guy out nowhere...I guess to make herself feel better. My fear is that Stanley will be the cause of their split. It’s very clear that he doesnt like Blanche, at all, and is really trying his best to tear her down, pull out all the cards he can on her, saying that she was once a very popular prostitute at a cheesy hotel, and even going so far as spreading it to other people. Ultimately, it looks like he wants to just get rid of her.
I wonder if Stella even knows the real truth about her sister, because even with the mystery of her precious husbands death revealed, Blanche’s history is still unknown.....
Journal#3 - A Streetcar Named Desire
After I finished this book, all I could do was be sad. I felt extremely sorry for Blanche, who I now see is really the main focus of the play all along. I kind of understand what Mitch did to Blanche, he clearly loved her, but the rumors that Stanley and the other men must have spread at the factory only shook his feelings for her. After all, Blanche did admit in a way that she lied to him and told him the truth about her past at the “Tarantula” and Laurel. If I were Mitch, and I had just heard that my girlfriend, was indeed an “ex-entertainer” at a shady hotel, already “involved” herself with a numerous amount of men before she came here, and was also involved with a seventeen year old, which was the reason she had lost her previous job, I would be pretty upset too. Definitely not the type you would want to bring home to your mother (-: . However, I still cant help but feel sorry for Blanche.
I don't think she really intended to lie to Mitch, but to just ‘protect’ him from the truth of what she once was, and if it wasn't for Stanley, she probably could have started fresh in New Orleans with Mitch. Although, the truth is always the way to go, because whatever you do in secret, will eventually come to the light so its better to tell the truth, even if it hurts. Now what happened when Stanley came back after, mind you, his wife was about to give birth to his child, was just disgusting and vile. How in the world you could posses yourself to sleep with your wife’s sister is beyond me. In my mind, Stanley is now the exact definition of a brute, savage, animal, who deserves to get a piece of his own pie given to him. How, Stella could not believe Blanche, her own sister, about what happened is beyond me as well. Instead of throwing the “animal” out of the house, she agrees with Stanley and throws her own sister out, guided by the idea of Blanche’s loss of sanity.
Sure Blanche had a little bit of problems, but I’m sure they could have been worked out if Stella payed more attention to her, but how harsh can she be, putting her own sister in a nuthouse!
Overall, I loved ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ and was absolutely mesmerized by the dramatic twists and turns that followed each scene. This book is definitely a ‘must read’ and I’m sure would be enjoyed in RKA if given the chance on stage.
Nikki Dudelson- Crime and Punishment
Crime and Punishment - Journal #1
The first impression I get of Raskolnikov is that he has a superior way about him, meaning that he thinks he's better than everybody. It's interesting how even after he does a nice thing for Marmeladov's family by leaving them the small amount of money before he left their house, he immediately has bad thoughts about them. Then why did he leave the money in the first place? Then he gets the letter from his mother about his sister getting married, and he starts crying. I think he cries because his sister is sacrificing herself just like Sonya is, and that gets to him. Then the walk in the park where he confronts the older man makes me think that everything that is wrong or unfortunate in the world just upsets Raskolnikov, yet there's nothing he can do about the wrongs which just make him angrier. Especially with the dream this is verified, and how he calls out against bad things but it does no good. Maybe that's why he wants to commit this terrible act that he's thinking of, to get revenge of some sort, or to let out his anger. Then he goes to the pawnbrokers house, and it shocks me that he actually ends up killing her, and her sister. I can't help but wonder why he did it...
Raskolnikov goes to the police station because he hasn't paid rent, and he gets paranoid because he thinks the police know about the murders. I think his crazy dreams, hallucinations, and deep sleeps are definitely a major part in what he imagines and his personality. He may have some sort of illness, like schizophrenia. Then we are told he hasn't been fully conscious for four days, and I wonder what has really happened. Has he imagined the killings? I start to feel nervous when Zossimov and Razumikhin realize that the talk of the murders start to irritate Raskolnikov. He's definitely getting crazier, especially with the police inspector's conversation as well as the workmen in the pawnbroker's apartment. Afterwards however with the scene at Marmeladov's, he starts to feel better about himself and his sick acts, because in a way he made up for them by helping Marmeladov's family. Once Razumikhin ends up taking care of him after how sick Raskolnikov is, I think he's going to end up cracking and telling the truth, if he's not just hallucinating it all.
2
After Razumikhin declares his attraction for Dunya, an immediate lightbulb goes off in my head that it could possibly end up dangerous. Raskolnikov is angry, and he already doesn't like Dunya's husband-to-be, so I can't imagine what he'd end up doing to his own friend. After Raskolnikov faints at the saying "guilty for no one's death," it's clear that he can't hold it together, and the murders are truly getting to him and making him overly paranoid. It's interesting how Raskolnikov doesn't know his own article was published, and how interestingly enough he included in the article how some men are entitled to commit murder. Maybe, all along, this idea was in his mind as he did commit the murders, and that's why it's not that big of a deal to him. The book at this point is just creepy, how the stranger calls him a murderer and his dream about Alyona and how she's laughing, and even worse, how he wakes up to a stranger in his own room. Maybe it's karma.
The stranger Svidrigailov appears in his room to basically ask to marry Dunya, explaining the death of his wife, Marfa. It's interesting how Raskolnikov wonders if Svidrigailov is insane and could have potentially murdered his wife, when Raskolnikov has also committed murder. After the dinner with Luzhin, Raskolnikov's strange, inconsistent behavior appears again, and after he leaves and tells everybody that they can't follow him, his friend realizes he's the murderer. It's interesting to me how Raskolnikov is concerned that people will realize he did it, yet he makes no effort to cover it up, especially with his crazy behavior. I kind of knew after Raskolnikov left the money with Sonya and her family that he liked Sonya. I don't think it's in a passionate way, he just looks at Sonya as a confused, young girl, who doesn't know the evils of the world yet, and maybe he likes Sonya because he feels she's easy to be around. I'm not sure if Raskolnikov is simply hallucinating all the scenes in the police station that Nikolai confessed to murdering the pawnbroker, and suddenly the stranger apologizes to him, but it's almost too good to be true. There's no way Raskolnikov got off the hook that easily.
3
I wasn't sure what to think of the memorial dinner at Marmeladov's, if it was climatic or just the usual. Katerina in a way reminds me of Raskolnikov, thinking he's better than everybody else when really he isn't. I wasn't too sure what to get out of the scene where Luzhin accuses Sonya of stealing the one hundred rubles, even though he really placed them in Sonya's pocket. Clearly Luzhin is a bad guy and just wants attention, and hopefully this part with Sonya was his last. We finally find out why Raskolnikov committed the murders, as he tells Sonya. Sonya's reaction is interesting, the fact that she promises not to abandon him. Maybe she's just scared that he'll kill her too, which he probably wouldn't because he actually likes Sonya, but she seems like a genuinely good person.
I find it very interesting that Porfiry comes by blatantly telling Raskolnikov that he's the murderer, but he feels bad for him and he would put in a good word with the judge. Even the fact that he says in case Raskolnikov commits suicide, to let him know where the stolen goods are. Svidrigailov is a disgusting man with all that happens with Dunya. I'm sure Dunya ends up believing what Svidrigailov says when he mentions he overheard Sonya and Raskolnikov's conversation about Raskolnikov confessing to the murders, but he tells Dunya he would rape her. I think his dream represents the fact that he knows he's strange with his obsession with young girls, but I don't understand why he kills himself. I think it was good that he confessed, but I don't think he would've done it without Sonya watching him. He knew Sonya was a good influence even though she did terrible things to provide for her own family, but he obviously listened to her, and she made an impact on his life.
I liked the ending of the book in the epilogue because it finally comes together that Raskolnikov did love Sonya, he wasn't "too good" for her or anything like that. I also like how he began reading the New Testament that Sonya gave him, further showing her good influence on him. The book could've ended with Raskolnikov dying, but instead it ended that it was a renewal, which signified that everything ended to be okay.
The first impression I get of Raskolnikov is that he has a superior way about him, meaning that he thinks he's better than everybody. It's interesting how even after he does a nice thing for Marmeladov's family by leaving them the small amount of money before he left their house, he immediately has bad thoughts about them. Then why did he leave the money in the first place? Then he gets the letter from his mother about his sister getting married, and he starts crying. I think he cries because his sister is sacrificing herself just like Sonya is, and that gets to him. Then the walk in the park where he confronts the older man makes me think that everything that is wrong or unfortunate in the world just upsets Raskolnikov, yet there's nothing he can do about the wrongs which just make him angrier. Especially with the dream this is verified, and how he calls out against bad things but it does no good. Maybe that's why he wants to commit this terrible act that he's thinking of, to get revenge of some sort, or to let out his anger. Then he goes to the pawnbrokers house, and it shocks me that he actually ends up killing her, and her sister. I can't help but wonder why he did it...
Raskolnikov goes to the police station because he hasn't paid rent, and he gets paranoid because he thinks the police know about the murders. I think his crazy dreams, hallucinations, and deep sleeps are definitely a major part in what he imagines and his personality. He may have some sort of illness, like schizophrenia. Then we are told he hasn't been fully conscious for four days, and I wonder what has really happened. Has he imagined the killings? I start to feel nervous when Zossimov and Razumikhin realize that the talk of the murders start to irritate Raskolnikov. He's definitely getting crazier, especially with the police inspector's conversation as well as the workmen in the pawnbroker's apartment. Afterwards however with the scene at Marmeladov's, he starts to feel better about himself and his sick acts, because in a way he made up for them by helping Marmeladov's family. Once Razumikhin ends up taking care of him after how sick Raskolnikov is, I think he's going to end up cracking and telling the truth, if he's not just hallucinating it all.
2
After Razumikhin declares his attraction for Dunya, an immediate lightbulb goes off in my head that it could possibly end up dangerous. Raskolnikov is angry, and he already doesn't like Dunya's husband-to-be, so I can't imagine what he'd end up doing to his own friend. After Raskolnikov faints at the saying "guilty for no one's death," it's clear that he can't hold it together, and the murders are truly getting to him and making him overly paranoid. It's interesting how Raskolnikov doesn't know his own article was published, and how interestingly enough he included in the article how some men are entitled to commit murder. Maybe, all along, this idea was in his mind as he did commit the murders, and that's why it's not that big of a deal to him. The book at this point is just creepy, how the stranger calls him a murderer and his dream about Alyona and how she's laughing, and even worse, how he wakes up to a stranger in his own room. Maybe it's karma.
The stranger Svidrigailov appears in his room to basically ask to marry Dunya, explaining the death of his wife, Marfa. It's interesting how Raskolnikov wonders if Svidrigailov is insane and could have potentially murdered his wife, when Raskolnikov has also committed murder. After the dinner with Luzhin, Raskolnikov's strange, inconsistent behavior appears again, and after he leaves and tells everybody that they can't follow him, his friend realizes he's the murderer. It's interesting to me how Raskolnikov is concerned that people will realize he did it, yet he makes no effort to cover it up, especially with his crazy behavior. I kind of knew after Raskolnikov left the money with Sonya and her family that he liked Sonya. I don't think it's in a passionate way, he just looks at Sonya as a confused, young girl, who doesn't know the evils of the world yet, and maybe he likes Sonya because he feels she's easy to be around. I'm not sure if Raskolnikov is simply hallucinating all the scenes in the police station that Nikolai confessed to murdering the pawnbroker, and suddenly the stranger apologizes to him, but it's almost too good to be true. There's no way Raskolnikov got off the hook that easily.
3
I wasn't sure what to think of the memorial dinner at Marmeladov's, if it was climatic or just the usual. Katerina in a way reminds me of Raskolnikov, thinking he's better than everybody else when really he isn't. I wasn't too sure what to get out of the scene where Luzhin accuses Sonya of stealing the one hundred rubles, even though he really placed them in Sonya's pocket. Clearly Luzhin is a bad guy and just wants attention, and hopefully this part with Sonya was his last. We finally find out why Raskolnikov committed the murders, as he tells Sonya. Sonya's reaction is interesting, the fact that she promises not to abandon him. Maybe she's just scared that he'll kill her too, which he probably wouldn't because he actually likes Sonya, but she seems like a genuinely good person.
I find it very interesting that Porfiry comes by blatantly telling Raskolnikov that he's the murderer, but he feels bad for him and he would put in a good word with the judge. Even the fact that he says in case Raskolnikov commits suicide, to let him know where the stolen goods are. Svidrigailov is a disgusting man with all that happens with Dunya. I'm sure Dunya ends up believing what Svidrigailov says when he mentions he overheard Sonya and Raskolnikov's conversation about Raskolnikov confessing to the murders, but he tells Dunya he would rape her. I think his dream represents the fact that he knows he's strange with his obsession with young girls, but I don't understand why he kills himself. I think it was good that he confessed, but I don't think he would've done it without Sonya watching him. He knew Sonya was a good influence even though she did terrible things to provide for her own family, but he obviously listened to her, and she made an impact on his life.
I liked the ending of the book in the epilogue because it finally comes together that Raskolnikov did love Sonya, he wasn't "too good" for her or anything like that. I also like how he began reading the New Testament that Sonya gave him, further showing her good influence on him. The book could've ended with Raskolnikov dying, but instead it ended that it was a renewal, which signified that everything ended to be okay.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Nikki Dudelson--Streetcar
A Streetcar Named Desire - Journal #1
I read scenes one through three of Streetcar, and already I have so many assumptions and questions. For starters, Blanche is a diva who needs to get off her high horse. She was rude to Eunice, Stella's neighbor, and she didn't stop criticizing Stella about why she lives where she lives. First question: Blanche didn't hold anything back, but why was she there in the first place? My question is answered as I found out that Blanche lost Belle Reve, the family estate. Blanche asks for hard liquor and insists she's not a drunk, but she left her job as a schoolteacher due to her "nerves" halfway through the year. Why did she leave? Did she have some sort of a nervous breakdown?
Finally, Stanley enters. Stella and Stanley discuss Blanche and Stella asks him to just be nice, but Stanley is solely interested in Belle Reve and what happened to it. Stanley abruptly looks through all of Blanche's trunks to look for a bill of sale, just as Blanche comes out of the bath. How coincidental. Immediately when Blanche begins talking to Stanley, by the way she speaks to him, I know what's coming. I predict that later in the book, something scandalous is going to happen between Blanche and Stanley. At least, that's the vibe I'm getting from their conversation. My question is, if Blanche loves her "baby" sister so much, why is she flirting with her husband? Something's not right to me.
Scene three: the climatic poker scene. First and foremost, I feel disgusted when Stella tells Stanley it's time to wrap up the poker game, but Stanley says no and slaps her butt. I also find it interesting that Blanche flirts with Mitch who is clearly attracted to her, and when Blanche says she says Mitch is better than the others, Stella disagrees and says Stanley is, right after he was so disrespectful. Following the intense scene when Stanley throws the radio out the window and Stella runs upstairs and Stanley's friends throw him in the shower, I find it most interesting (as did Blanche, clearly) that after Stanley screamed "Stella!" to Eunice's upstairs, that Stella ACTUALLY came back downstairs. It's clear that Stella is madly in love with Stanley and vice versa, even though Stanley is terrible to Stella. Half of me foreshadows Stella leaving Stanley, while the other half of me foreshadows Stella staying and being in an unhappy marriage. Only time will tell.
A Streetcar Named Desire - Journal #2
I read scenes four through seven of Streetcar, and the book only continues to intensify. Scene four was short and simple, with Blanche continuing to criticize Stella, even suggesting they get out together. Stella, as usual, insists she loves Stanley, and while Blanche lets it all out, Stanley hears it all. I wonder why as Stella is hugging Stanley with her back turned towards Blanche, Stanley smiles at Blanche. Was it a flirtatious smile, or a smile attempting to annoy Blanche? I'm positive it's more to annoy Blanche, basically stating "Stella's mine, too bad." The fighting between Steve and Eunice in scene five is all too familiar, the couple gets into an intense fight, but they end up walking back to their apartment hand in hand. Stanley starts bringing up Blanche's past, and Blanche loses it. Why was she getting so defensive? We find out when she tells Stella that she wasn't good when she lost Belle Reve, which does make sense. But what was she doing that made her bad? I feel bad for Blanche, she's taking her insecurities out in the wrong way. She clearly went through some sort of quarter-life crisis that made her act out, even kissing the young kid who shows up at the door before Mitch does. I can only predict that Blanche will continue to act out, even though she likes Mitch and has faith in herself that she'll end up having a nice life with him. I don't think that's ever going to happen, I predict Blanche's flirtatious moves (toward every man) is going to get her in trouble, and it's going to be bad.
Throughout the majority of scene six, I felt awkward myself. I know it was supposed to be awkward between Blanche and Mitch, as it was. Their date clearly didn't go well, and back at the house things eventually lightened up. Blanche continues to act flirtatious but holds herself back to Mitch, and Mitch likes that. I think when Blanche asks Mitch what Stanley has said about her, Mitch's response isn't what Blanche wanted to hear. She told Mitch she believes Stanley hates her, I think, just to hear Mitch say "I think he wants you" or something to that effect. I think there's something in Stanley that interests Blanche, maybe it's a challenge for her. She wants to see why Stella is so attracted to him, and I think Blanche is too, but she plays it off very well like she hates him. There's too much sexual tension between the two. It's very interesting to find out about Blanche's deceased husband, who was gay and killed himself. That must be a huge part of the reason why Blanche is always so finicky and nervous, maybe she was always self conscious after the event, causing her to be "bad."
Finally, scene seven reveals all we've been waiting for. Blanche was right: Stanley was out to get her. He told Mitch the truth about Blanche, that she was fired, and she probably won't return back to Mississippi. I suddenly see right through Blanche just like everybody else does, that she's embarrassed as her past (as I can't blame her) and tries to still put on a good show for Stella and Stanley by showing she's still fancy and whatnot, when really, she's a mess. I feel worse for Stella because here Stella is, she loves her sister to death, her own flesh and blood, but Stella's jerk of a husband is the one who breaks the news to her that her sister is troubled. And the fact that Stanley bought Blanche a ticket back to Laurel makes me wonder, will she actually go back? I don't see her staying with Stanley and Stella now that Stanley knows everything, but I don't know where else she would go.
A Streetcar Named Desire - Journal #3
Finally, scenes eight through eleven. Scene eight was short and somewhat repetitive, but it did change my mind in one major way: Stanley being so rude to Blanche changed my thought that there was sexual tension between the two, because Stanley genuinely does not like Blanche, it's clear to me now. They argue and are completely rude to each other, and it's more than silly banter, it's serious hatred. Suddenly Stella has to go to the hospital, and Stanley again lightens up as he takes her. Scene nine, Mitch comes over. It's very tense, and it annoys me that Blanche is just trying to get answers as to why Mitch is being so rude. Why did he come over in the first place if he was just going to be a jerk? I'm sure the same question was going through Blanche's mind. Finally they're honest with each other, and after that Mitch should've just left. But he wasn't done, he wanted "what he waited for all summer," it's quite obvious what that means. The stories that Mitch has heard about Blanche has clearly changed his opinion, as it did for me and just about everybody else who has Blanche's number, so to speak, and now Blanche is all figured out. She is devastated, and I can't really blame her. I know she's not exactly the best person with all of her lies, but I can't help but feel bad for her.
Scene ten is bittersweet for me. I'm happy that Stanley and Blanche finally come to good terms (in the beginning, at least,) and they both have things to celebrate. It suddenly changes (surprise, surprise!) and goes back to the usual banter, except this time I knew it was worse than usual. I wasn't predicting that Stanley would rape Blanche, I would predict that with Blanche's risky advances, it would at least be consensual. Scene eleven is interesting and slightly unpredictable. I didn't think Stella would take it upon herself to send Blanche away, but I do believe that Stella would have doubted Blanche's accusations of Stanley raping her. The part with the doctors was extremely interesting, I can't tell if the doctors made it seem like Blanche was a lunatic or if she genuinely was. Regardless, Blanche was taken away, and the quote "Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers" truly shows who Blanche is and how vulnerable she is. Honestly, I liked the end of the book because I wasn't too sure how else it should've ended. Blanche was definitely crazy and it makes me upset that no one believes her about what happened with Stanley, but that was the point. Overall I think it was a great book and I would've loved to have seen the play to really get the feel of the book.
I read scenes one through three of Streetcar, and already I have so many assumptions and questions. For starters, Blanche is a diva who needs to get off her high horse. She was rude to Eunice, Stella's neighbor, and she didn't stop criticizing Stella about why she lives where she lives. First question: Blanche didn't hold anything back, but why was she there in the first place? My question is answered as I found out that Blanche lost Belle Reve, the family estate. Blanche asks for hard liquor and insists she's not a drunk, but she left her job as a schoolteacher due to her "nerves" halfway through the year. Why did she leave? Did she have some sort of a nervous breakdown?
Finally, Stanley enters. Stella and Stanley discuss Blanche and Stella asks him to just be nice, but Stanley is solely interested in Belle Reve and what happened to it. Stanley abruptly looks through all of Blanche's trunks to look for a bill of sale, just as Blanche comes out of the bath. How coincidental. Immediately when Blanche begins talking to Stanley, by the way she speaks to him, I know what's coming. I predict that later in the book, something scandalous is going to happen between Blanche and Stanley. At least, that's the vibe I'm getting from their conversation. My question is, if Blanche loves her "baby" sister so much, why is she flirting with her husband? Something's not right to me.
Scene three: the climatic poker scene. First and foremost, I feel disgusted when Stella tells Stanley it's time to wrap up the poker game, but Stanley says no and slaps her butt. I also find it interesting that Blanche flirts with Mitch who is clearly attracted to her, and when Blanche says she says Mitch is better than the others, Stella disagrees and says Stanley is, right after he was so disrespectful. Following the intense scene when Stanley throws the radio out the window and Stella runs upstairs and Stanley's friends throw him in the shower, I find it most interesting (as did Blanche, clearly) that after Stanley screamed "Stella!" to Eunice's upstairs, that Stella ACTUALLY came back downstairs. It's clear that Stella is madly in love with Stanley and vice versa, even though Stanley is terrible to Stella. Half of me foreshadows Stella leaving Stanley, while the other half of me foreshadows Stella staying and being in an unhappy marriage. Only time will tell.
A Streetcar Named Desire - Journal #2
I read scenes four through seven of Streetcar, and the book only continues to intensify. Scene four was short and simple, with Blanche continuing to criticize Stella, even suggesting they get out together. Stella, as usual, insists she loves Stanley, and while Blanche lets it all out, Stanley hears it all. I wonder why as Stella is hugging Stanley with her back turned towards Blanche, Stanley smiles at Blanche. Was it a flirtatious smile, or a smile attempting to annoy Blanche? I'm positive it's more to annoy Blanche, basically stating "Stella's mine, too bad." The fighting between Steve and Eunice in scene five is all too familiar, the couple gets into an intense fight, but they end up walking back to their apartment hand in hand. Stanley starts bringing up Blanche's past, and Blanche loses it. Why was she getting so defensive? We find out when she tells Stella that she wasn't good when she lost Belle Reve, which does make sense. But what was she doing that made her bad? I feel bad for Blanche, she's taking her insecurities out in the wrong way. She clearly went through some sort of quarter-life crisis that made her act out, even kissing the young kid who shows up at the door before Mitch does. I can only predict that Blanche will continue to act out, even though she likes Mitch and has faith in herself that she'll end up having a nice life with him. I don't think that's ever going to happen, I predict Blanche's flirtatious moves (toward every man) is going to get her in trouble, and it's going to be bad.
Throughout the majority of scene six, I felt awkward myself. I know it was supposed to be awkward between Blanche and Mitch, as it was. Their date clearly didn't go well, and back at the house things eventually lightened up. Blanche continues to act flirtatious but holds herself back to Mitch, and Mitch likes that. I think when Blanche asks Mitch what Stanley has said about her, Mitch's response isn't what Blanche wanted to hear. She told Mitch she believes Stanley hates her, I think, just to hear Mitch say "I think he wants you" or something to that effect. I think there's something in Stanley that interests Blanche, maybe it's a challenge for her. She wants to see why Stella is so attracted to him, and I think Blanche is too, but she plays it off very well like she hates him. There's too much sexual tension between the two. It's very interesting to find out about Blanche's deceased husband, who was gay and killed himself. That must be a huge part of the reason why Blanche is always so finicky and nervous, maybe she was always self conscious after the event, causing her to be "bad."
Finally, scene seven reveals all we've been waiting for. Blanche was right: Stanley was out to get her. He told Mitch the truth about Blanche, that she was fired, and she probably won't return back to Mississippi. I suddenly see right through Blanche just like everybody else does, that she's embarrassed as her past (as I can't blame her) and tries to still put on a good show for Stella and Stanley by showing she's still fancy and whatnot, when really, she's a mess. I feel worse for Stella because here Stella is, she loves her sister to death, her own flesh and blood, but Stella's jerk of a husband is the one who breaks the news to her that her sister is troubled. And the fact that Stanley bought Blanche a ticket back to Laurel makes me wonder, will she actually go back? I don't see her staying with Stanley and Stella now that Stanley knows everything, but I don't know where else she would go.
A Streetcar Named Desire - Journal #3
Finally, scenes eight through eleven. Scene eight was short and somewhat repetitive, but it did change my mind in one major way: Stanley being so rude to Blanche changed my thought that there was sexual tension between the two, because Stanley genuinely does not like Blanche, it's clear to me now. They argue and are completely rude to each other, and it's more than silly banter, it's serious hatred. Suddenly Stella has to go to the hospital, and Stanley again lightens up as he takes her. Scene nine, Mitch comes over. It's very tense, and it annoys me that Blanche is just trying to get answers as to why Mitch is being so rude. Why did he come over in the first place if he was just going to be a jerk? I'm sure the same question was going through Blanche's mind. Finally they're honest with each other, and after that Mitch should've just left. But he wasn't done, he wanted "what he waited for all summer," it's quite obvious what that means. The stories that Mitch has heard about Blanche has clearly changed his opinion, as it did for me and just about everybody else who has Blanche's number, so to speak, and now Blanche is all figured out. She is devastated, and I can't really blame her. I know she's not exactly the best person with all of her lies, but I can't help but feel bad for her.
Scene ten is bittersweet for me. I'm happy that Stanley and Blanche finally come to good terms (in the beginning, at least,) and they both have things to celebrate. It suddenly changes (surprise, surprise!) and goes back to the usual banter, except this time I knew it was worse than usual. I wasn't predicting that Stanley would rape Blanche, I would predict that with Blanche's risky advances, it would at least be consensual. Scene eleven is interesting and slightly unpredictable. I didn't think Stella would take it upon herself to send Blanche away, but I do believe that Stella would have doubted Blanche's accusations of Stanley raping her. The part with the doctors was extremely interesting, I can't tell if the doctors made it seem like Blanche was a lunatic or if she genuinely was. Regardless, Blanche was taken away, and the quote "Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers" truly shows who Blanche is and how vulnerable she is. Honestly, I liked the end of the book because I wasn't too sure how else it should've ended. Blanche was definitely crazy and it makes me upset that no one believes her about what happened with Stanley, but that was the point. Overall I think it was a great book and I would've loved to have seen the play to really get the feel of the book.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Jessica Gubankova Crime and Punishment
Jessica Gubankova
Journal #1: Crime and Punishment
As I begin to read Crime and Punishment, the book seems very dry, long and dull. In chapter one as he goes to meet the pawnbroker, the author is talking about a plan that Raskolnikov has and its torturing him inside. After meeting with the pawnbroker and asking her weird questions like whether her sister is going to be home later on in the week, Raskolnikov goes to a bar for the first time and drinks. Just this whole first chapter is weird to me, because the author is hiding the plan from the reader, but then again I’m drawn in to know what this “plan” is.
Already from chapter one though you feel a sense on Raskolnikovs pride. The way the author describes him, tall and handsome, fosters his pride. Also the way the scenery of the neighborhood Raskolnikov lives in, shows why he may be in a mental condition. His neighborhood smells and odors give off to the mood of the book, because it gives the main character, Raskolnikov an “excitement.”
Journal# 2: Crime and Punishment
As I read more into Crime and Punishment I'm getting a little bit more interested. In chapter 2-4 you see Dostoevsky introduce a subplot away from the main plot and that is the character of Marmaledov. I find it interesting that the author introduces this character because first the family of Marmaledovs shows poverty and urban deprivation. As well as scenery, at one point in chapter two at the end, Raskolnikov gives money to Marmaledov but later regrets it because he feels that they will just waste it. At this point I feel like Raskolnikov should feel good about himself however his pride gets in the way.
Also in the next couple of chapters Raskolnikovs relationship with his mother Pulcheria is analyzed. We learn that Raskolnikovs mom and sister both care for him however Raskolnikovs ever returning pride gets in the way when he find out about Dunyas engagement. He becomes very self absorbed and meanly assumes she's just marrying Luzhin to provide a better life for his mother and for herself.
Journal 3: Crime and Punishment
Wow so although I stopped my journals at chapter 4, so many things have happened. Let me backtrack. After reading the gruesome murder that Raskolnikov committed I wasn't exactly shocked. From the beginning I already knew that Raskolnikov was going to do something gruesome from the way Dostoevsky foreshadowed it. As well as that I figured out that Raskolnikovs true punishment was the insanity he went through because of the murder. In chapter 3 of part II Raskolnikov is truly suffering his punishment where he experiences hallucinations.
As the book continues Raskolnikovs crazy behavior is just a mask for the guilt that he feels for the murder. In the last chapter I feel that Raskolnikov finally frees himself from the punishment that he has so long suffered because he finally on confessed to his crime. Also at the end of the book, something that surprised me is that Raskolnikov is in love with Sonya, however it made Raskolnikov happy which ultimately shows that the punishment burden was gone.
Journal #1: Crime and Punishment
As I begin to read Crime and Punishment, the book seems very dry, long and dull. In chapter one as he goes to meet the pawnbroker, the author is talking about a plan that Raskolnikov has and its torturing him inside. After meeting with the pawnbroker and asking her weird questions like whether her sister is going to be home later on in the week, Raskolnikov goes to a bar for the first time and drinks. Just this whole first chapter is weird to me, because the author is hiding the plan from the reader, but then again I’m drawn in to know what this “plan” is.
Already from chapter one though you feel a sense on Raskolnikovs pride. The way the author describes him, tall and handsome, fosters his pride. Also the way the scenery of the neighborhood Raskolnikov lives in, shows why he may be in a mental condition. His neighborhood smells and odors give off to the mood of the book, because it gives the main character, Raskolnikov an “excitement.”
Journal# 2: Crime and Punishment
As I read more into Crime and Punishment I'm getting a little bit more interested. In chapter 2-4 you see Dostoevsky introduce a subplot away from the main plot and that is the character of Marmaledov. I find it interesting that the author introduces this character because first the family of Marmaledovs shows poverty and urban deprivation. As well as scenery, at one point in chapter two at the end, Raskolnikov gives money to Marmaledov but later regrets it because he feels that they will just waste it. At this point I feel like Raskolnikov should feel good about himself however his pride gets in the way.
Also in the next couple of chapters Raskolnikovs relationship with his mother Pulcheria is analyzed. We learn that Raskolnikovs mom and sister both care for him however Raskolnikovs ever returning pride gets in the way when he find out about Dunyas engagement. He becomes very self absorbed and meanly assumes she's just marrying Luzhin to provide a better life for his mother and for herself.
Journal 3: Crime and Punishment
Wow so although I stopped my journals at chapter 4, so many things have happened. Let me backtrack. After reading the gruesome murder that Raskolnikov committed I wasn't exactly shocked. From the beginning I already knew that Raskolnikov was going to do something gruesome from the way Dostoevsky foreshadowed it. As well as that I figured out that Raskolnikovs true punishment was the insanity he went through because of the murder. In chapter 3 of part II Raskolnikov is truly suffering his punishment where he experiences hallucinations.
As the book continues Raskolnikovs crazy behavior is just a mask for the guilt that he feels for the murder. In the last chapter I feel that Raskolnikov finally frees himself from the punishment that he has so long suffered because he finally on confessed to his crime. Also at the end of the book, something that surprised me is that Raskolnikov is in love with Sonya, however it made Raskolnikov happy which ultimately shows that the punishment burden was gone.
Patricia Ortiz - Crime and Punishment
Patricia Ortiz
Crime and Punishment
Journal 1: Chapter 1
The mood of the story already is kind of dreary; I can imagine the setting in my head. The main character lives in a rundown building so it’s not surprising that he’s afraid of the landlady and owes money. Raskolnikov is described to be an emotionally detached, mad at the world, bitter, yet proud man. He wears ripped and old clothes but he still feels as though he is better than the rest of the people that live in his neighborhood and that they are inferior to him. The way the pawnbroker is described is extremely creepy. Nothing good can be expected by his relationship with the pawnbroker. Theres a feelings of distrust between the two, and he already owes her money is going back for more. So there is definitely something fishy. He becomes almost sinister when he drinks the beer at the saloon.
Journal 2:
(I’m not going to lie, it was semi-difficult to keep up having to read all these Russian names.)
Raskolnikov went through with the murders of the pawn broker and her sister, since then he is ridden with the guilt of the murders and panics everytime they are mentioned. This to me doesn’t seem like a real murder, this guy clearly has a conscience and its relevant how his poverty led him to the crime. He didn’t kill them because he wanted to kill, but because he needed money. Razumikhin and Svidrigailov figure out that Raskolnikov is guilty on their own. Some random guy that knows nothing about the case confesses to the murders, which is really strange but Porfiry knows it’s not true. He suspects Raskolnikov of being guilty but does not have enough evidence to arrest him. Raskolnikov ends up confessing to Sonya about the murders, she tells him to confess. There is real chemistry between the two. In my opinion svidrigailov is a weirdo, first he’s attracted to Dunya, then he gets engaged to a 16 year old girl, then he tries to rape dunya and ends up killing himself.
Journal 3 :
A year and a half later Raskolnikov is in prison in Siberia. He ended up confessing thanks to sonya, who moved to the town outside the prison. Just as I suspected, these two had a thing for eachother. Sonya ended up doing him a big favor by convincing him to confess, because instead of a life sentence he got a 8 year sentence of doing hard labor. I knew he wasn’t a real murderer, his motives weren’t sinister. And through his love for Sonya he was able to express remorse for his crime.
Crime and Punishment
Journal 1: Chapter 1
The mood of the story already is kind of dreary; I can imagine the setting in my head. The main character lives in a rundown building so it’s not surprising that he’s afraid of the landlady and owes money. Raskolnikov is described to be an emotionally detached, mad at the world, bitter, yet proud man. He wears ripped and old clothes but he still feels as though he is better than the rest of the people that live in his neighborhood and that they are inferior to him. The way the pawnbroker is described is extremely creepy. Nothing good can be expected by his relationship with the pawnbroker. Theres a feelings of distrust between the two, and he already owes her money is going back for more. So there is definitely something fishy. He becomes almost sinister when he drinks the beer at the saloon.
Journal 2:
(I’m not going to lie, it was semi-difficult to keep up having to read all these Russian names.)
Raskolnikov went through with the murders of the pawn broker and her sister, since then he is ridden with the guilt of the murders and panics everytime they are mentioned. This to me doesn’t seem like a real murder, this guy clearly has a conscience and its relevant how his poverty led him to the crime. He didn’t kill them because he wanted to kill, but because he needed money. Razumikhin and Svidrigailov figure out that Raskolnikov is guilty on their own. Some random guy that knows nothing about the case confesses to the murders, which is really strange but Porfiry knows it’s not true. He suspects Raskolnikov of being guilty but does not have enough evidence to arrest him. Raskolnikov ends up confessing to Sonya about the murders, she tells him to confess. There is real chemistry between the two. In my opinion svidrigailov is a weirdo, first he’s attracted to Dunya, then he gets engaged to a 16 year old girl, then he tries to rape dunya and ends up killing himself.
Journal 3 :
A year and a half later Raskolnikov is in prison in Siberia. He ended up confessing thanks to sonya, who moved to the town outside the prison. Just as I suspected, these two had a thing for eachother. Sonya ended up doing him a big favor by convincing him to confess, because instead of a life sentence he got a 8 year sentence of doing hard labor. I knew he wasn’t a real murderer, his motives weren’t sinister. And through his love for Sonya he was able to express remorse for his crime.
Rabiya Ahmed Crime and Punishment 2
I've read parts 3 and 4 of "Crime and Punishment" and things have definitely taken an interesting turn. It seems that Raskolnikov is beginning to develop some sort of personality disorder. At times he is kind towards his family and friends and during others, he becomes cold and even contemptuous. He is also very bad at hiding his paranoia about the murder. He was especially very paranoid when he and Razumikhin went to see porfiry. Raskolnikov is turning out to be a very sinister character. Luzhin is very rude to have sent a letter saying he did not want to see Dunya's brother at their meeting. She made the right decision by defying Luzhin's commands. It shows that Dunya is much like her brother, in the sense that she is also prideful and very intelligent. Sonya finally make an appearance in front of Rakolnikov! I find her timid nature and her nervousness to be cute, although shes a pitiful character as well.
What was a real surprise was Svidrigailov's arrival. Although Svidrigailov wants to break up a terrible marriage and give Dunya thousands of copecks, i feel he has some ulterior motive. I can't believe Dunya broke of the engagement with Luzhin. He was selfish in thinking she should love her husband more than her own family. Now that he's out of the picture, Razumikhin can finally sweep her off her feet and I hope he does. Who was the man who called Raskolnikov the murderer? And how does he know that its him? I sense that Raskolnikov is already found out and will have to face punishment soon. Even though he finds salvation in Sonya, He acts very shady around her. I hope she does offer the salvation he needs in order to atone for his crime. Things are turning out to go Raskolnikovs way as the decorator, Nikolai, admits to killing the pawnbroker. Lets see where the story takes us next.
What was a real surprise was Svidrigailov's arrival. Although Svidrigailov wants to break up a terrible marriage and give Dunya thousands of copecks, i feel he has some ulterior motive. I can't believe Dunya broke of the engagement with Luzhin. He was selfish in thinking she should love her husband more than her own family. Now that he's out of the picture, Razumikhin can finally sweep her off her feet and I hope he does. Who was the man who called Raskolnikov the murderer? And how does he know that its him? I sense that Raskolnikov is already found out and will have to face punishment soon. Even though he finds salvation in Sonya, He acts very shady around her. I hope she does offer the salvation he needs in order to atone for his crime. Things are turning out to go Raskolnikovs way as the decorator, Nikolai, admits to killing the pawnbroker. Lets see where the story takes us next.
Rafaella Gunz Crime and Punishment 3
I was not too impressed by this book. I found it dull and at times, confusing. But it is a good lesson for people who act on impulse. Not just for murders, but anything. Clearly Raskolnikov was living in fear and guilt. He felt everyone was suspicious of him and eventually couldn't handle the guilt anymore and cracked. The character of Svidrigailov scares me a bit. He stalked Dunya and threatened to rape her even though he was engaged to another girl. Maybe it's just the time this book takes place in, but I wonder if it's normal for him to be attracted to such young girls or if he's a pedophile. All in all, this book ends on a very sad note, much like the one it began on.
Eddy Diamantis - Crime and Punishment- Journal 3
Eddy Diamantis
AP Literature
Journal 3
Part Five really takes a wild turn, especially for raskolnikov. In chapter four, Raskolnikov for the first time confessed the murder to another person! By doing this, I feel raskolnikov is actually coming to terms with reality and with his actions, realizing that he is not above everyone else. He had confessed that he had committed the crime because he felt he was superior to everyone else and felt he could get away with anything but was obviously proved wrong and finally realized he is just like everyone else. This is a huge step for raskolnikov who will now possibly be able to end the suffering he has gone through by finally confessing and realizing he is not superior.
Part six really shows that raskolnikov is a stronger character than I thought and my thoughts that he would go to the police actually came true. I find it shocking when Svidrigailov tried to rape Dunya all because he was obsessed with her. However I did not expect him to kill himself. Finally it is at this point in the story where raskolnikov finally makes the revelation we have al been waiting for. Once he visits his mother, he finally has to detach from her, breaking his mothers heart since she was very proud of him and his work. During his conversation with Dunya, I feel he has not fully realized the effects of his actions when he claims he didn’t profit from the murder and if he did the murder would have been worth it, making me think raskolnikov still doesn’t see the full implication of his actions. But it is still a very strong development in raskolnikov when he realizes how much pain he has caused his family, while at the beginning of the story, rasklnikov had trouble understanding his family’s emotions, only caring for himself. When he actually goes to the Haymarket and kisses the ground I feel he has really proved to himself that reality has really set in, allowing raskolnikov to confess to the police and end the punishment he had to endure from this murder and from himself.
AP Literature
Journal 3
Part Five really takes a wild turn, especially for raskolnikov. In chapter four, Raskolnikov for the first time confessed the murder to another person! By doing this, I feel raskolnikov is actually coming to terms with reality and with his actions, realizing that he is not above everyone else. He had confessed that he had committed the crime because he felt he was superior to everyone else and felt he could get away with anything but was obviously proved wrong and finally realized he is just like everyone else. This is a huge step for raskolnikov who will now possibly be able to end the suffering he has gone through by finally confessing and realizing he is not superior.
Part six really shows that raskolnikov is a stronger character than I thought and my thoughts that he would go to the police actually came true. I find it shocking when Svidrigailov tried to rape Dunya all because he was obsessed with her. However I did not expect him to kill himself. Finally it is at this point in the story where raskolnikov finally makes the revelation we have al been waiting for. Once he visits his mother, he finally has to detach from her, breaking his mothers heart since she was very proud of him and his work. During his conversation with Dunya, I feel he has not fully realized the effects of his actions when he claims he didn’t profit from the murder and if he did the murder would have been worth it, making me think raskolnikov still doesn’t see the full implication of his actions. But it is still a very strong development in raskolnikov when he realizes how much pain he has caused his family, while at the beginning of the story, rasklnikov had trouble understanding his family’s emotions, only caring for himself. When he actually goes to the Haymarket and kisses the ground I feel he has really proved to himself that reality has really set in, allowing raskolnikov to confess to the police and end the punishment he had to endure from this murder and from himself.
Eddy Diamantis Crime and Punishment
Eddy Diamantis
Crime and Punishment
Journal 2
In part three of Crime and Punishment, the suffering that raskolnikov has to endure mentally intensifies and characters such as Dunya and Razumikhin also become more familiar to me as I read. I feel that Razumikihins attraction to Dunya could really complicate things between him and raskolnikov since raskolnikov also wants his sister to break off from Luzhin, which I find very selfish. At one point in chapter three Raskolnikov claims that he will cease to regard Dunya as his sister if she marries Luzhin. Although he says this and Luzhin even sends a letter to dunya, requesting not to see Raskolnikov again, she still takes him to the party, testing luzhin making me respect her more. When he is at the party, Raskolnikov only makes Porfiry more suspicious of him when he talks about his article on crime he had written. I feel Raskolnikov had always though he was superior since he claimed that people who are superior could have the right to commit murder. Obviously raskolnikov didn’t prove this theory was true and now he is paying for it. Also, the dream he has is very odd and freaky, but shows that he is not as he thinks he is and challenges his thoughts of himself.
Part four takes a wild turn in the story, especially for raskolnikov’s emotions. It isn’t until this part that Dunya finally leaves Luzhin, after he insults the family claiming if it wasn’t for him, Raskolnikovs family would be in a worst position and lames this all on raskolnikov. It was very kind of Razumikhin to offer to take care of the family after Luzhin had left. It seems that once Razumikhin had offered to take care of the women, he had decided to leave knowing they were being taken care of and in order to understand himself. This shows that Raskolnikov has become a more caring person, putting his familys health before his own. Also, when Raskolnikov enters the police station to be interrogated by Porfiry, Raskolnikov has his pride tested by profry even though he wants to testify, I believe because he wants this suffering to end. However, another man confesses to the murders, relieving raskolnikov and possibly giving him more time to find the strength to confes and return to reality.
Crime and Punishment
Journal 2
In part three of Crime and Punishment, the suffering that raskolnikov has to endure mentally intensifies and characters such as Dunya and Razumikhin also become more familiar to me as I read. I feel that Razumikihins attraction to Dunya could really complicate things between him and raskolnikov since raskolnikov also wants his sister to break off from Luzhin, which I find very selfish. At one point in chapter three Raskolnikov claims that he will cease to regard Dunya as his sister if she marries Luzhin. Although he says this and Luzhin even sends a letter to dunya, requesting not to see Raskolnikov again, she still takes him to the party, testing luzhin making me respect her more. When he is at the party, Raskolnikov only makes Porfiry more suspicious of him when he talks about his article on crime he had written. I feel Raskolnikov had always though he was superior since he claimed that people who are superior could have the right to commit murder. Obviously raskolnikov didn’t prove this theory was true and now he is paying for it. Also, the dream he has is very odd and freaky, but shows that he is not as he thinks he is and challenges his thoughts of himself.
Part four takes a wild turn in the story, especially for raskolnikov’s emotions. It isn’t until this part that Dunya finally leaves Luzhin, after he insults the family claiming if it wasn’t for him, Raskolnikovs family would be in a worst position and lames this all on raskolnikov. It was very kind of Razumikhin to offer to take care of the family after Luzhin had left. It seems that once Razumikhin had offered to take care of the women, he had decided to leave knowing they were being taken care of and in order to understand himself. This shows that Raskolnikov has become a more caring person, putting his familys health before his own. Also, when Raskolnikov enters the police station to be interrogated by Porfiry, Raskolnikov has his pride tested by profry even though he wants to testify, I believe because he wants this suffering to end. However, another man confesses to the murders, relieving raskolnikov and possibly giving him more time to find the strength to confes and return to reality.
Patricia Ortiz - Streetcar
Patricia Ortiz
A streetcar Named Desire
Journal 1: (scene 1)
My first feelings right away are that I love reading plays because it gives the story that much more emotion because I can imagine it all on a stage. . I feel like the setting of the book symbolizes why the characters are the way they are. Blanche is from a plantation in Mississippi, she comes from money, she’s spoiled, and that is why she is uptight. That is why it is a rude awakening for her to see where her sister lives now, since they both come from Belle Reve, to now end up in New Orleans, in a poor neighborhood. But Stella has got the ‘southern hospitality’ vibe to her.
My impression of Blanche is one of the most awkward characters I’ve ever read about. The way she talks and carries herself feels awkward and fake to me. I can feel her awkwardness through the book. It is one thing to feel out of place, but the way she feels she’s better than the life her sister is living, and being stuck up and anti-social (like when she was rude to Eunice) is not even ok. When she arrives at Stella’s home and he attitude is like ‘ugh, why am I here’ I wondered, well .. Why is she there? Unexpected visits like hers usually foreshadow something more than just a visit. Blanche blunt with the way she criticizes her sister’s home. Also she is quick to ask for liquor, I guessed right away that she was an alcoholic. She claims to have ‘nerves’ problems, but I don’t believe her, the way she explained how she lost belle Reve so dramatically gives me a funny feeling about her. I feel like I can’t really trust anything she says.
Stella is a sweet woman. I know she knows how to overlook how uptight her sister is. After all, when it comes to family, that’s all you can be, is understanding and patient. I know from personal experience with my little sister, we might not always see eye to eye, but family is forever so you have to get over it. I like her personality because to come from the same lifestyle as Blanche but to give it all up for your husband, just as long as you’re happy, that really shows me she’s a good person she’s not materialistic like Blanche, she’s got good morals and genuine qualities. As for Stanley, I don’t really want to judge him, just yet. When he met Blanche he was nice, and asked her questions. It was a fine first impression.
Journal 2: (scene 2-5)
In scene 2 I can tell Stanley doesn’t play games. He’s very interested in finding out why blanche lost belle reve, Stella doesn’t pay any mind to it because she wants to believe her sister, but she’s lucky to have Stanley around to help her out. I agree with Stanley it really doesn’t make any sense that there is no money to be shared after selling a bit plantation and to notice all the fancy expensive things she has, Stanley doesn’t trust Blanche, so I like that about him. So far in the book I’ve learned that Blanche is a vivid story teller, she’s so dramatic and she’s a total flirt! She just gets so into the way she speaks and what she talks about and personally I think she’s full of it.
I will admit I am a hopeless romantic, so I think it’s the cutest thing when Mitch and blanche have that ‘love at first sight’ moment in scene 3. I hate how Stanley ruins it, it makes him look so bitter to go off the way he did. And I do not in any way approve how he behaved towards Stella, especially since she’s pregnant. But at the same time I know why she went back to him, he was drunk, it wasn’t right of him but they love each other.
In scene 5, Stanley went ahead and did some research on Blanche. He digs up some things in her past that make her nervous and she denies them right away. Then she thinks of a story to tell Stella to convince her its not true. By the end of scene 5 I was convinced Blanche is completely insane. I can’t explain why she behaved so strangely with Stella, she’s acting hysterical all of a sudden, she screamed when the coke spilled, and kissed a random paper boy. It’s funny and sad at the same time.
Journal 3: (6-11)
Mitch and Blanche seem to have good chemistry together, I feel like they would be good for each other. Both of them are looking for love, so why not? They have like a heart to heart and it seems perfect. She acts pretty sane when she’s around Mitch and Mitch feels good around her. They’re both misfits, Blanche because of her age and Mitch, because he’s not settled and his dying mother wants him to find a woman before she dies.
Scene 7, was the most eye-opening chapter, and pretty much my favorite. Everything comes out and the truth is revealed! Stanley exposes Blanche, big time! Blanche had been living in a hotel and got kicked out for all the affairs she had been having. And she became quite famous for all her affairs and not only for that but that she was nuts! And the reason she was kicked out of the school was for getting involved with a student! Oh man, it was just crazy to finally know the truth. And even though Stella said “that can’t possibly be true” deep down I bet she knew all along her sister had some kind of hidden agenda. But I honestly did feel bad that Stanley told Mitch, because that messed everything up for them.
I also thought it was rude for him to give Blanche bus tickets, he definitely got his message across and I think he took it too far. When Mitch comes to talk to Blanche they have another moment. I feel like Blanche is honest when she’s around Mitch, because she really did feel something special for him. It’s just unfortunate he doesn’t want her because she’s not ‘clean enough to bring in the house with his mother.’ Scene 10 was intense because I would never had expected for Stanley, out of all people to rape Blanche.
The ending was sad to me because of Stella, I know she was torn. Torn between doing what was right for her sister which was sending her to an asylum and having Blanche stay with her, but that would’ve never worked. Stella didn’t believe Blanche when she told her that Stanley had raped her and I thought that was messed up but I can’t blame Stella after she knew Blanche had made everything else up. Overall, I enjoyed the book, tragedies aren’t really my thing because I enjoy reading a happy ending but it was a good story.
Zanovia Pierce --Crime and Punishment 3
Journal Entry #3:
So I just finished Crime and Punishment and I think it was an amazing book. It has a plot that test the morals, andethics of a man. As I read on a few other characters wereintroduced such as, Raskolnikov's friend Razumikhin, andhis lover Sonya. Razumikhin was a hardworking, but a manof poverty. He was there with Raskolnikov throughout thebook as the voice of reason, and kindness. Sonya, who wasforced to be a prostitute to support herself and her family, was somehow drawn to Raskolnikov and created a strongrelationship with him. His sister Dunya and motherAlexandrovna were also introduced. Dunya, like her brotherwas a very good looking woman, intelligent, proud, butmoral unlike her brother. Dunya becomes close with Sonyaafter Raskolnikov confesses what he did to the woman andher sister. Sonya gives Raskolnikov a cross, which signify'sreligion and moral redemption. His mother, Alexandrovnawho is very devoted to her son and will do anything forhim. Even after Raskolnikov confesses to the murders sherefuses to believe it . Another character is the man put incharge to investigate Raskolnikov's murders.
Soon we learn that Raskolnikov is in Siberia and has beenon trial for about 9 months. As he is in prison, his friendRazumikhin and other friends testify for him. Razumikhinbrought up and example of how his friend was a good man,by reverting back to a time he saved kids from a fire andtook care of a man laying on his death bed. These factshelped shorten the prison sentence to 8 years in prison. Also he was allowed to be with Sonya while serving hissentence. Thats pretty good for killing two woman.
About two months later Razumikhin marries Raskolnikov'ssister, which didn't surprise me because they were definitely into each other for a while. Raskolnikov's motherdies soon after. Also finally Raskolnikov really understandswhat he did was wrong and didn't really mind theconsequences he had to face. I wouldn't either because Iwould know what I did whether I told someone or not,would have consequences to face sooner or later.
This book really portrayed the amount of integrity, moral,and ethics a person can have. Also how a person can be so alienated from society. In the beginning of the book Raskolnikov was very prideful,but alone. He seemed to used people for his own person gain to get through life. He grew a relationship with Sonya, but didn't really seem like he was giving her every piece of him. By the end of the book its almost as if he's fed up with being separated and finally gets that he's loves Sonya and can't deal with being alone anymore. Therefore dropping his pride and putting his all into what they had despite the conditions of him being in prison.
So I just finished Crime and Punishment and I think it was an amazing book. It has a plot that test the morals, andethics of a man. As I read on a few other characters wereintroduced such as, Raskolnikov's friend Razumikhin, andhis lover Sonya. Razumikhin was a hardworking, but a manof poverty. He was there with Raskolnikov throughout thebook as the voice of reason, and kindness. Sonya, who wasforced to be a prostitute to support herself and her family, was somehow drawn to Raskolnikov and created a strongrelationship with him. His sister Dunya and motherAlexandrovna were also introduced. Dunya, like her brotherwas a very good looking woman, intelligent, proud, butmoral unlike her brother. Dunya becomes close with Sonyaafter Raskolnikov confesses what he did to the woman andher sister. Sonya gives Raskolnikov a cross, which signify'sreligion and moral redemption. His mother, Alexandrovnawho is very devoted to her son and will do anything forhim. Even after Raskolnikov confesses to the murders sherefuses to believe it . Another character is the man put incharge to investigate Raskolnikov's murders.
Soon we learn that Raskolnikov is in Siberia and has beenon trial for about 9 months. As he is in prison, his friendRazumikhin and other friends testify for him. Razumikhinbrought up and example of how his friend was a good man,by reverting back to a time he saved kids from a fire andtook care of a man laying on his death bed. These factshelped shorten the prison sentence to 8 years in prison. Also he was allowed to be with Sonya while serving hissentence. Thats pretty good for killing two woman.
About two months later Razumikhin marries Raskolnikov'ssister, which didn't surprise me because they were definitely into each other for a while. Raskolnikov's motherdies soon after. Also finally Raskolnikov really understandswhat he did was wrong and didn't really mind theconsequences he had to face. I wouldn't either because Iwould know what I did whether I told someone or not,would have consequences to face sooner or later.
This book really portrayed the amount of integrity, moral,and ethics a person can have. Also how a person can be so alienated from society. In the beginning of the book Raskolnikov was very prideful,but alone. He seemed to used people for his own person gain to get through life. He grew a relationship with Sonya, but didn't really seem like he was giving her every piece of him. By the end of the book its almost as if he's fed up with being separated and finally gets that he's loves Sonya and can't deal with being alone anymore. Therefore dropping his pride and putting his all into what they had despite the conditions of him being in prison.
Rabiya Ahmed Crime and Punishment 1
When I began reading "Crime and Punishment" it was very tedious. Dostoyevsky starts off by describing Raskolnikov's surroundings and St. Petersburg. I began to notice that many Russian writers tend to focus on the characters interaction with their surroundings in order to develop and illustrate their personalities. Raskolnikov is a very proud, intelligent, and paranoid character. He is an introvert, barely ever seen communicating with people and spends his days inside his little apartment thinking. Raskolnikov's reason on killing the pawnbroker raises many ethical questions. His reasoning was that Alyona is a worthless old woman who takes money from people, so it would be better if she was dead and her money was distributed to people living in poverty. I began to ponder if it was alright to take one person's life for the betterment of other people.
Raskolnikov acts very selfishly by killing the pawnbroker and by insulting his sister's fiancé as well as his family by not accepting their marriage. However he does have some mercy and goodness in him. He looks out for a drunk girl who was being pursued by a lustful man and gives 20 copecks of his remaining money to Marmeladov's family. He is especially kind to Katrina Ivanovna during Marmeladov's death.
I like that Dostoyevsky connects the plot and the sub plot (issues with the Marmeladov's) through the coincidental meetings and run ins they have. I hope that something develops between Raskolikov and Sonya soon. Hopefully Sonya will be making her appearance in the next chapters!
Raskolnikov acts very selfishly by killing the pawnbroker and by insulting his sister's fiancé as well as his family by not accepting their marriage. However he does have some mercy and goodness in him. He looks out for a drunk girl who was being pursued by a lustful man and gives 20 copecks of his remaining money to Marmeladov's family. He is especially kind to Katrina Ivanovna during Marmeladov's death.
I like that Dostoyevsky connects the plot and the sub plot (issues with the Marmeladov's) through the coincidental meetings and run ins they have. I hope that something develops between Raskolikov and Sonya soon. Hopefully Sonya will be making her appearance in the next chapters!
Rabiya Ahmed Streetcar Named Desire
The story gets really good when Mitch confronts Blanche about what happened in Laurel. Blanche is a terrible liar. I felt embarrassed when she said she stayed at hotel Tarantula. When Blanche points out that she doesn't want realism but magic instead, the reader sees that Blanche fears reality after all of the death and terrible experiences she's been through and tries to make things beautiful by lying. She seems to be traumatized by her lovers death and starts hearing the polka tune. She also begins talking to herself by repeating past conversations with her mother. The reader can infer that with all the stress and trauma on her shoulder, Blanche has become mentally unstable.
The ending was very unexpected. I can't believe Stanley made a move on Blanche when Stella was in the hospital in labor. This made me dislike Stanley even more. I was so surprised that Stanley and Stella had the doctor come and take Blanche away. It was such a sad situation, I could almost feel Blanche's confusion and pain.What is the significance of Stella saying "This game is a seven-card stud?" I still haven't quite understood why the book is called " A Streetcar Named Desire".
The ending was very unexpected. I can't believe Stanley made a move on Blanche when Stella was in the hospital in labor. This made me dislike Stanley even more. I was so surprised that Stanley and Stella had the doctor come and take Blanche away. It was such a sad situation, I could almost feel Blanche's confusion and pain.What is the significance of Stella saying "This game is a seven-card stud?" I still haven't quite understood why the book is called " A Streetcar Named Desire".
Rabiya Ahmed Streetcar Named Desire
After reading scenes five through six I was completely drawn into "A Streetcar Named desire". It is revealed that Blanche is a flirtatious character even though she is in a serious relationship with Mitch. Blanche and Mitch seem like a very boring couple from what I've observed from their date. Although they both have lost a person they loved very dearly and somehow give each other the comfort they need, I don't think their relationship will last. When I read about how Blanche's lover died I was completely shocked. I didn't think her lover would have been in bed with another man.
I guess Stanley was right about being suspicious of Blanche's intentions of visiting her sister. My opinion on Blanche has changed drastically from the beginning of the story. I find that I cannot empathize with her after learning about her affairs in Laurel. I like that as Stanley tells Stella all this, Blanche is singing "It's only a paper moon". With the song in the background it makes the scene more dramatic and intense as Stella finds out her sister has been lying and keeping secrets from her.
--
The Glass is stained with tiny water droplets that have a mind of its own. They slowly slide down the window and collide with each other… like destined lovers
I guess Stanley was right about being suspicious of Blanche's intentions of visiting her sister. My opinion on Blanche has changed drastically from the beginning of the story. I find that I cannot empathize with her after learning about her affairs in Laurel. I like that as Stanley tells Stella all this, Blanche is singing "It's only a paper moon". With the song in the background it makes the scene more dramatic and intense as Stella finds out her sister has been lying and keeping secrets from her.
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The Glass is stained with tiny water droplets that have a mind of its own. They slowly slide down the window and collide with each other… like destined lovers
Jiordalys Figueroa Crime and Punishment
Jiordalys Figueroa
Crime and Punishment
Journal #1
I just began reading the book and so far it’s pretty good, although pronouncing the characters name makes it really difficult to read. I can’t believe the narrator, Raskolnikov, is also a murderer. I am actually having difficulties expressing my feeling towards our narrator because although he did commit a sin he also left money, which he needs, to Marmeladov and his family.This book is actually really interesting, I am already curious to know how everything is going to turn out; is Raskolnikov going to be able to take his sin to the grave or is his brother in law going to discover it?
One thing that is really bothering me is Marmeladov, a man who seems like he has potential, due to alcohol, is allowing his daughter to prostitute herself in order to support her family! Where is his dignity?! Forcing his daughter to make illegal money, why doesn’t he just go find another job?
Jiordalys Figueroa
Crime and Punishment
Journal #2
When I first began reading the book I didn’t really like Raskolnikov, however, I am now starting to feel sympathy towards him. I think he does regret killing the pawnbroker, Alyona Ivanovna, and her sister, Lizaveta, and therefore he is having hallucinations and got really sick. I also think that is the reason why he is so bipolar with his family. I find it kind of strange actually that Raskolnikov is nicer and more supportive to the Marmeladovs than his own family. Although Raskolnikov’s sister, Dunya, as well as the whole family, would have benefited from Dunya’s marriage to Luzhin, I am glad that Dunya ended the engagement; she should marry someone because of love not money.
I am really enjoying this book! So many things are occurring. Marmeladov’s memorial dinner was a complete mess! People are so disrespectful, how dare they show up drunk, and then on top of that, Luzhin has the nerve to accuse Sonya of stealing money from him in her own father’s memorial only to embarrass Raskolnikov? He needs a life. I wonder why Nikolai confessed to the murder that Raskolnikov committed, that was really unexpected. I can’t wait to see how everything turns out!!
Jiordalys Figueroa
Crime and Punishment
Journal #3
What a tremendous ending! First of all I came to the conclusion that half of the characters in this book are crazy! So many people became mental and eventually killed themselves, such as Raskolnikov’s mother, Sonya’s mother, and even Svidrigailov, however, I believe everything turned out the way it should of. Raskolnikov, after revealing his dark secret to his mother and Sonya, eventually confessed to the cops, and thanks to his mental problems and past good deeds, only served eight years instead of the death penalty. I am very glad that Sonya instead of moving on with her life and starting a family with someone else moved near the prison that Raskolnikov is in to stay by his side and visits him frequently. Although many people died, overall I think it was a very happy ending.
Crime and Punishment
Journal #1
I just began reading the book and so far it’s pretty good, although pronouncing the characters name makes it really difficult to read. I can’t believe the narrator, Raskolnikov, is also a murderer. I am actually having difficulties expressing my feeling towards our narrator because although he did commit a sin he also left money, which he needs, to Marmeladov and his family.This book is actually really interesting, I am already curious to know how everything is going to turn out; is Raskolnikov going to be able to take his sin to the grave or is his brother in law going to discover it?
One thing that is really bothering me is Marmeladov, a man who seems like he has potential, due to alcohol, is allowing his daughter to prostitute herself in order to support her family! Where is his dignity?! Forcing his daughter to make illegal money, why doesn’t he just go find another job?
Jiordalys Figueroa
Crime and Punishment
Journal #2
When I first began reading the book I didn’t really like Raskolnikov, however, I am now starting to feel sympathy towards him. I think he does regret killing the pawnbroker, Alyona Ivanovna, and her sister, Lizaveta, and therefore he is having hallucinations and got really sick. I also think that is the reason why he is so bipolar with his family. I find it kind of strange actually that Raskolnikov is nicer and more supportive to the Marmeladovs than his own family. Although Raskolnikov’s sister, Dunya, as well as the whole family, would have benefited from Dunya’s marriage to Luzhin, I am glad that Dunya ended the engagement; she should marry someone because of love not money.
I am really enjoying this book! So many things are occurring. Marmeladov’s memorial dinner was a complete mess! People are so disrespectful, how dare they show up drunk, and then on top of that, Luzhin has the nerve to accuse Sonya of stealing money from him in her own father’s memorial only to embarrass Raskolnikov? He needs a life. I wonder why Nikolai confessed to the murder that Raskolnikov committed, that was really unexpected. I can’t wait to see how everything turns out!!
Jiordalys Figueroa
Crime and Punishment
Journal #3
What a tremendous ending! First of all I came to the conclusion that half of the characters in this book are crazy! So many people became mental and eventually killed themselves, such as Raskolnikov’s mother, Sonya’s mother, and even Svidrigailov, however, I believe everything turned out the way it should of. Raskolnikov, after revealing his dark secret to his mother and Sonya, eventually confessed to the cops, and thanks to his mental problems and past good deeds, only served eight years instead of the death penalty. I am very glad that Sonya instead of moving on with her life and starting a family with someone else moved near the prison that Raskolnikov is in to stay by his side and visits him frequently. Although many people died, overall I think it was a very happy ending.
Max Katzman Crime and Punishment
Max Katzman August 2011
AP Literature Mr. Archer
Crime and Punishment Reading Journal #1
I have just completed reading Part 1 of Crime and Punishment and while it took some to develop and progress, I found it to be thought provoking and intellectually stimulating. As Part 1 concludes with Raskolnikov murdering Alyona Ivanovna and Lizaveta Ivanovna, I appreciated Dostoevsky’s rapid narration of the concluding events, in comparison to the detailed information given to us about Raskolnikov’s character, personality, and early childhood in the early stages of the novel. Dostoevsky provides the reader with various indications of the culminating events through the use of foreshadowing, symbolism and metaphors. Prior to the murder of the Ivanovna sisters by Raskolnikov, he falls asleep and dreams of his witnessing the brutal murder of an old mare. Dostoevsky clearly used this to foreshadow the impending events. While reading the final chapters of Part 1, I noticed a vivid comparison between the writing styles of Fyodor Dostoevsky and Sigmund Freud. At this point I recollected significant breakthroughs in psychoanalysis while reading The Interpretation of Dreams. While Dostoevsky published Crime and Punishment thirty-three years prior to Freud’s magnum opus, it seemed as though he was able to conceptualize the mindset and psychology of a murderer and the thought processes conveyed. Freud notes in The Interpretation of Dreams “It still remains possible that distressing dreams and anxiety-dreams, when they have been interpreted, may turn out to be fulfillments of wishes.” (p. 160). Divulging into the psychoanalytical depths of Raskolnikov’s memories, I find that in murdering Alyona Ivanovna, Raskolnikov was attempting to recreate the memory, culminating into an emotional cathartic climax.
Crime and Punishment Reading Journal #2
In Parts 2 and 3 of Crime and Punishment we begin to notice the psychological ramifications that Raskolnikov endured as a result of the crimes he committed. I found it interesting that he was not able to decide where to place the stolen items. Initially, his intent was to dispose of the items in a river but then realized what the consequences of doing so would be. He then thought of numerous other options until finally coming to the decision of placing them under a stone. His continued indecisiveness is a common characteristic of people who commit crimes such as this. The ensuing chapters sanction the development of the characteristics Razumikhin exhibits. The idiosyncrasy he possesses is of a contrasting nature as compared to Raskolnikov. While Raskolnikov is portrayed in a bleak and grim manner, Razumikhin is characterized as a dedicated, devoted, loyal and dependable individual. While researching the underlying origins of the character’s names I found that Razumikhin’s name derived from the Russian root word “razum” meaning reason. His name certainly suits and symbolizes his overall persona and character. I must say that I enjoy this breath of fresh air in his development, as I began to get a tad bored with Raskolnikov’s predictable behavior.
I found it to be quite ironic that a horse killed Marmeladov while in a state of intoxication. Earlier in the novel, we learn that while Raskolnikov was a young boy, he witnessed the brutal murder of an old mare by a drunkard. Now however, a horse caused the death of a drunk. Prior to this, a woman attempted to commit suicide by drowning, while Raskolnikov witnessed. It seems as though death is Raskolnikov’s shadow, as it appears to follow him throughout the novel.
Crime and Punishment Reading Journal #3
After completing Crime and Punishment, I found it to be awe-inspiring and refreshing. Dostoevksy’s brilliance radiates throughout the pages as the novel dwells into the psychology and motives of Raskolnikov. I found the discussion of Raskolnikov’s article “On Crime” to be the most interesting portion of the novel as it deals not only with the battle between the ‘ordinary’ and ‘extraordinary’ man, but with a fundamental and latent observation of human ethics. Earlier in the novel Raskolnikov overhears a student and a young officer discussing Alyona Ivanovna’s wealth and how society would benefit from her death. The student states “…on the one hand you have a stupid, meaningless, worthless, wicked, sick old crone, no good to anyone and, on the contrary, harmful to everyone… on the other hand you have fresh, young forces that are being wasted for lack of support, and that by the thousands, and that everywhere! A hundred, a thousand good deeds and undertakings that could be arranged and set going by the money that old woman has doomed to the monastery! Hundreds, maybe thousands of lives put right; dozens of families saved from destitution, from decay, from ruin, from depravity…” (p. 63). It is this conversation that provides Raskolnikov with a moral and righteous justification for killing Alyona. In killing Alyona he would be able to assist those individuals who lived an impoverished lifestyle. Thus, in killing one he would save many. This theory materializes once again when Porfiry Petrovich and Raskolnikov discuss his article “On Crime”. Raskolnikov’s article depicts that humanity is divided into two categories: individuals who are ‘ordinary’ and those who are ‘extraordinary’. Ordinary individuals are those that live life purely and do not transgress the law (i.e. they conform to society’s intrinsic lifestyle), while extraordinary individuals propel themselves above the law, periodically for the benefit of mankind. Raskolnikov states “…Kepler’s or Newton’s discoveries could become known to people in no other way than by sacrificing the lives of one, or ten, or a hundred or more people who were hindering the discovery, or standing as an obstacle in its path, then Newton would have the right, and it would even be his duty to remove those ten or a hundred people, in order to make his discoveries known to all mankind.” Clearly, as evidenced by his article, Raskolnikov feels as though some individuals have the moral rationalization to kill some, thus helping many. This theory reminds me a great deal of an ethical dilemma in the realm of cognitive science entitled the “Trolley Problem” proposed by philosopher Philippa Foot. The problem is as follows: A trolley car is riding down a track uncontrollably. Tied to the tracks are five individuals. However, you are given the opportunity to change the direction of the trolley car so it diverts onto another set of tracks. Furthermore, on this new set of tracks one individual is tied. Shall you change the direction of the trolley car to save five and sacrifice one, or do nothing? I believe this thought experiment is understandably comparable to Raskolnikov’s mindset and motive in killing Alyona. In killing her (or in the thought experiment, killing one individual by diverting the trolley car) Raskolnikov would be able to acquire the title of an ‘extraordinary’ individual. Thus, Raskolnikov’s inability to cope with the fact that he is an ‘ordinary’ man fueled his murder of Alyona Ivanovna. His psychological justification in doing so may even be proposed to be a more formidable reason than to assist his monetary issues. I would greatly recommend this novel to all those interested in the biopsychosocial factors of living in Europe (especially Russia) in the Nineteenth century.
To my fellow classmates, I now ask you, what would you do if you had to take part in the “Trolley Problem”?
AP Literature Mr. Archer
Crime and Punishment Reading Journal #1
I have just completed reading Part 1 of Crime and Punishment and while it took some to develop and progress, I found it to be thought provoking and intellectually stimulating. As Part 1 concludes with Raskolnikov murdering Alyona Ivanovna and Lizaveta Ivanovna, I appreciated Dostoevsky’s rapid narration of the concluding events, in comparison to the detailed information given to us about Raskolnikov’s character, personality, and early childhood in the early stages of the novel. Dostoevsky provides the reader with various indications of the culminating events through the use of foreshadowing, symbolism and metaphors. Prior to the murder of the Ivanovna sisters by Raskolnikov, he falls asleep and dreams of his witnessing the brutal murder of an old mare. Dostoevsky clearly used this to foreshadow the impending events. While reading the final chapters of Part 1, I noticed a vivid comparison between the writing styles of Fyodor Dostoevsky and Sigmund Freud. At this point I recollected significant breakthroughs in psychoanalysis while reading The Interpretation of Dreams. While Dostoevsky published Crime and Punishment thirty-three years prior to Freud’s magnum opus, it seemed as though he was able to conceptualize the mindset and psychology of a murderer and the thought processes conveyed. Freud notes in The Interpretation of Dreams “It still remains possible that distressing dreams and anxiety-dreams, when they have been interpreted, may turn out to be fulfillments of wishes.” (p. 160). Divulging into the psychoanalytical depths of Raskolnikov’s memories, I find that in murdering Alyona Ivanovna, Raskolnikov was attempting to recreate the memory, culminating into an emotional cathartic climax.
Crime and Punishment Reading Journal #2
In Parts 2 and 3 of Crime and Punishment we begin to notice the psychological ramifications that Raskolnikov endured as a result of the crimes he committed. I found it interesting that he was not able to decide where to place the stolen items. Initially, his intent was to dispose of the items in a river but then realized what the consequences of doing so would be. He then thought of numerous other options until finally coming to the decision of placing them under a stone. His continued indecisiveness is a common characteristic of people who commit crimes such as this. The ensuing chapters sanction the development of the characteristics Razumikhin exhibits. The idiosyncrasy he possesses is of a contrasting nature as compared to Raskolnikov. While Raskolnikov is portrayed in a bleak and grim manner, Razumikhin is characterized as a dedicated, devoted, loyal and dependable individual. While researching the underlying origins of the character’s names I found that Razumikhin’s name derived from the Russian root word “razum” meaning reason. His name certainly suits and symbolizes his overall persona and character. I must say that I enjoy this breath of fresh air in his development, as I began to get a tad bored with Raskolnikov’s predictable behavior.
I found it to be quite ironic that a horse killed Marmeladov while in a state of intoxication. Earlier in the novel, we learn that while Raskolnikov was a young boy, he witnessed the brutal murder of an old mare by a drunkard. Now however, a horse caused the death of a drunk. Prior to this, a woman attempted to commit suicide by drowning, while Raskolnikov witnessed. It seems as though death is Raskolnikov’s shadow, as it appears to follow him throughout the novel.
Crime and Punishment Reading Journal #3
After completing Crime and Punishment, I found it to be awe-inspiring and refreshing. Dostoevksy’s brilliance radiates throughout the pages as the novel dwells into the psychology and motives of Raskolnikov. I found the discussion of Raskolnikov’s article “On Crime” to be the most interesting portion of the novel as it deals not only with the battle between the ‘ordinary’ and ‘extraordinary’ man, but with a fundamental and latent observation of human ethics. Earlier in the novel Raskolnikov overhears a student and a young officer discussing Alyona Ivanovna’s wealth and how society would benefit from her death. The student states “…on the one hand you have a stupid, meaningless, worthless, wicked, sick old crone, no good to anyone and, on the contrary, harmful to everyone… on the other hand you have fresh, young forces that are being wasted for lack of support, and that by the thousands, and that everywhere! A hundred, a thousand good deeds and undertakings that could be arranged and set going by the money that old woman has doomed to the monastery! Hundreds, maybe thousands of lives put right; dozens of families saved from destitution, from decay, from ruin, from depravity…” (p. 63). It is this conversation that provides Raskolnikov with a moral and righteous justification for killing Alyona. In killing Alyona he would be able to assist those individuals who lived an impoverished lifestyle. Thus, in killing one he would save many. This theory materializes once again when Porfiry Petrovich and Raskolnikov discuss his article “On Crime”. Raskolnikov’s article depicts that humanity is divided into two categories: individuals who are ‘ordinary’ and those who are ‘extraordinary’. Ordinary individuals are those that live life purely and do not transgress the law (i.e. they conform to society’s intrinsic lifestyle), while extraordinary individuals propel themselves above the law, periodically for the benefit of mankind. Raskolnikov states “…Kepler’s or Newton’s discoveries could become known to people in no other way than by sacrificing the lives of one, or ten, or a hundred or more people who were hindering the discovery, or standing as an obstacle in its path, then Newton would have the right, and it would even be his duty to remove those ten or a hundred people, in order to make his discoveries known to all mankind.” Clearly, as evidenced by his article, Raskolnikov feels as though some individuals have the moral rationalization to kill some, thus helping many. This theory reminds me a great deal of an ethical dilemma in the realm of cognitive science entitled the “Trolley Problem” proposed by philosopher Philippa Foot. The problem is as follows: A trolley car is riding down a track uncontrollably. Tied to the tracks are five individuals. However, you are given the opportunity to change the direction of the trolley car so it diverts onto another set of tracks. Furthermore, on this new set of tracks one individual is tied. Shall you change the direction of the trolley car to save five and sacrifice one, or do nothing? I believe this thought experiment is understandably comparable to Raskolnikov’s mindset and motive in killing Alyona. In killing her (or in the thought experiment, killing one individual by diverting the trolley car) Raskolnikov would be able to acquire the title of an ‘extraordinary’ individual. Thus, Raskolnikov’s inability to cope with the fact that he is an ‘ordinary’ man fueled his murder of Alyona Ivanovna. His psychological justification in doing so may even be proposed to be a more formidable reason than to assist his monetary issues. I would greatly recommend this novel to all those interested in the biopsychosocial factors of living in Europe (especially Russia) in the Nineteenth century.
To my fellow classmates, I now ask you, what would you do if you had to take part in the “Trolley Problem”?
Rabiya Ahmed Streetcar Named Desire
When I began reading "A Streetcar Named Desire", Blanche already made a very strong impression on me. Blanche comes off as a Beautiful southern belle who is very opinionated, talkative, and a bit superficial. However when the author introduces the adversities she had to face back on her family plantation such as the death of her family, the reader begins to sympathize and pity Blanche's character.
From the moment that they met, Blanche and Stanley don't seem as if they are the best of friends. It seems Stanley lacks the manners and etiquette that Blanche is used to seeing in men born in higher socioeconomic classes. Relations become increasingly tense when Stanley inquires about documents related to the loss of Blanche and Stella's Family plantation. Although Stanley is suspicious of Blanche, I feel that she is completely innocent and that she doesn't deserve to be judged so harshly.
I was shocked when Stanley hit Stella during the poker game at their house. I didn't expect Stanley to be the type that hits his wife. Stella's and Stanley's relationship seemed complicated to me when I read scenes three to four. Ironically, although Stanley becomes abusive from time to time, She is very forgiving and still loves him dearly. While reading the introduction I noticed that Tennessee Williams intended the title of the book to be called " The Poker Night" but instead changed it to "A Streetcar Name Desire". What is so symbolic about the poker night? I hope to find the answer as I read further into the book.
From the moment that they met, Blanche and Stanley don't seem as if they are the best of friends. It seems Stanley lacks the manners and etiquette that Blanche is used to seeing in men born in higher socioeconomic classes. Relations become increasingly tense when Stanley inquires about documents related to the loss of Blanche and Stella's Family plantation. Although Stanley is suspicious of Blanche, I feel that she is completely innocent and that she doesn't deserve to be judged so harshly.
I was shocked when Stanley hit Stella during the poker game at their house. I didn't expect Stanley to be the type that hits his wife. Stella's and Stanley's relationship seemed complicated to me when I read scenes three to four. Ironically, although Stanley becomes abusive from time to time, She is very forgiving and still loves him dearly. While reading the introduction I noticed that Tennessee Williams intended the title of the book to be called " The Poker Night" but instead changed it to "A Streetcar Name Desire". What is so symbolic about the poker night? I hope to find the answer as I read further into the book.
Crime and Punishment – Mehreen Bhatti
Crime and Punishment – Mehreen Bhatti
Journal Entry #1: As I began to read Crime and Punishment, I noticed there was something unusual about Raskolnikov’s character right away. He is intellectual with pride yet seems like he has mental issues. He separates himself from society. Besides the fact that he is poor and dresses in rags, I think that the neighborhood he is living in affects his separation from society because it makes him not want to interact with people and this leads to him thinking about inhumane things. As I was reading the author portrayed some suspense that made me want to continue reading without stopping. I was desperate to find out what Raskolnikov was planning to do. When I realized his hatred for the pawnbroker I knew he would do something evil. I did not see the need to kill the pawnbroker. This is where I said to myself that Raskolnikov was mentally ill. He felt that killing the pawnbroker and who ever got in his way would be better for society. He was only going after Alyona and it was selfish of him to kill yet another harmless person, her sister Lizaveta.
Journal Entry #2: Razumikhin is a good friend to Raskolnikov who is determined to help him no matter what. I feel like he is too much of a good friend to him. He is living in the same conditions as Raskolnikov and still manages to be humane to everyone. I feel as if in the beginning of the story, Raskolnikov saw himself as superman; somebody unstoppable with pride and power but after he committed his crime he felt guilt for what he did and that destroyed the view of himself being a superman. Also Raskolnikov is different from everyone in a way because poverty in this story seems to bring families together but he alienates himself from his family. He scolds his sister because he thinks she is marrying Luzhin to help her brother financially and he rejects a job offer from Razumikhin. I felt bad for Nikolai, the workman who was a suspect of the murders because he confessed even though it was not him. He was hoping to find an easier way out of his accusation and he thought confessing would help.
Jounral Entry #3: In the last part of the book, a lot of good and bad things happen. Katerina goes crazy and dies after she danced in the street and begged people for money. She died because she was suffering so much. I was delighted to read that Raskolnikov confessed to Sonya of the murders because one confession would lead to another and he would soon confess to the police like he ended up doing. He is given a cross by Sonya that I think represents his way to recognition of committing the sins he committed. In the end I was glad to know that Raskolnikov begins to stop separating himself from humanity when he realized that he is in love with Sonya. This made me realize that the truth always comes out and when you do something bad it will lead to guilt which will lead to confession but in the end relief and freedom from whatever evil act that is made.
Journal Entry #1: As I began to read Crime and Punishment, I noticed there was something unusual about Raskolnikov’s character right away. He is intellectual with pride yet seems like he has mental issues. He separates himself from society. Besides the fact that he is poor and dresses in rags, I think that the neighborhood he is living in affects his separation from society because it makes him not want to interact with people and this leads to him thinking about inhumane things. As I was reading the author portrayed some suspense that made me want to continue reading without stopping. I was desperate to find out what Raskolnikov was planning to do. When I realized his hatred for the pawnbroker I knew he would do something evil. I did not see the need to kill the pawnbroker. This is where I said to myself that Raskolnikov was mentally ill. He felt that killing the pawnbroker and who ever got in his way would be better for society. He was only going after Alyona and it was selfish of him to kill yet another harmless person, her sister Lizaveta.
Journal Entry #2: Razumikhin is a good friend to Raskolnikov who is determined to help him no matter what. I feel like he is too much of a good friend to him. He is living in the same conditions as Raskolnikov and still manages to be humane to everyone. I feel as if in the beginning of the story, Raskolnikov saw himself as superman; somebody unstoppable with pride and power but after he committed his crime he felt guilt for what he did and that destroyed the view of himself being a superman. Also Raskolnikov is different from everyone in a way because poverty in this story seems to bring families together but he alienates himself from his family. He scolds his sister because he thinks she is marrying Luzhin to help her brother financially and he rejects a job offer from Razumikhin. I felt bad for Nikolai, the workman who was a suspect of the murders because he confessed even though it was not him. He was hoping to find an easier way out of his accusation and he thought confessing would help.
Jounral Entry #3: In the last part of the book, a lot of good and bad things happen. Katerina goes crazy and dies after she danced in the street and begged people for money. She died because she was suffering so much. I was delighted to read that Raskolnikov confessed to Sonya of the murders because one confession would lead to another and he would soon confess to the police like he ended up doing. He is given a cross by Sonya that I think represents his way to recognition of committing the sins he committed. In the end I was glad to know that Raskolnikov begins to stop separating himself from humanity when he realized that he is in love with Sonya. This made me realize that the truth always comes out and when you do something bad it will lead to guilt which will lead to confession but in the end relief and freedom from whatever evil act that is made.
Tessy Diaz Journal Entry 1 (A Street Car Named Desire)
Journal Entry 1 (A Street Car Named Desire)
As I began to read the drama, I started to learn more about Blanche DuBois character you find out that she is a schoolteacher from Laurel Mississippi, and she moved to New Orleans into an apartment with her sister, Stella Kowalski. You can tell immediately that she intends to live in Stella’s apartment for a lengthy period of time, given the large trunk she has with her. When Stella comes home and greets Blanche you can automatically tell that Blanche needs to tell Stella something very important. However before she tells Stella that she lost Belle Reve, their ancestral home following the death of all their remaining relatives, and that she was given a leave of absence from her teaching position because of her “bad nerves”. She criticizes Stella on the way she lives, she is disdainful of the cramped quarters of the Kowalskis two- room apartment and of the apartments location in a noisy, diverse, working-class neighborhood. This is ironic because she has to live with Stella because she doesn’t have enough money to afford a hotel. Blanches criticisms immediately wins her the instant dislike of Stella husband, an auto-parts supply man of polish descent named Stanley Kowalski. Stanley distrusts Blanche immediately because he suspects her of having cheated Stella out of her share of the family inheritance. While Stanley is questioning Blanche, Blanche ends up revealing that she lost Belle Reve because she couldn’t pay the mortgage. She blames this on having to pay for all the funerals of her realtives, without Stella’s help. All of this signifies Blanches horrible financial circumstances. Blanches heavy drinking which she attempts to conceal from her sister and brother-in-law, might foreshadows the next events that take place in this drama, and that fact that Stanley and Blanche already have dueling personalities.
- Tessy Diaz
As I began to read the drama, I started to learn more about Blanche DuBois character you find out that she is a schoolteacher from Laurel Mississippi, and she moved to New Orleans into an apartment with her sister, Stella Kowalski. You can tell immediately that she intends to live in Stella’s apartment for a lengthy period of time, given the large trunk she has with her. When Stella comes home and greets Blanche you can automatically tell that Blanche needs to tell Stella something very important. However before she tells Stella that she lost Belle Reve, their ancestral home following the death of all their remaining relatives, and that she was given a leave of absence from her teaching position because of her “bad nerves”. She criticizes Stella on the way she lives, she is disdainful of the cramped quarters of the Kowalskis two- room apartment and of the apartments location in a noisy, diverse, working-class neighborhood. This is ironic because she has to live with Stella because she doesn’t have enough money to afford a hotel. Blanches criticisms immediately wins her the instant dislike of Stella husband, an auto-parts supply man of polish descent named Stanley Kowalski. Stanley distrusts Blanche immediately because he suspects her of having cheated Stella out of her share of the family inheritance. While Stanley is questioning Blanche, Blanche ends up revealing that she lost Belle Reve because she couldn’t pay the mortgage. She blames this on having to pay for all the funerals of her realtives, without Stella’s help. All of this signifies Blanches horrible financial circumstances. Blanches heavy drinking which she attempts to conceal from her sister and brother-in-law, might foreshadows the next events that take place in this drama, and that fact that Stanley and Blanche already have dueling personalities.
- Tessy Diaz
A Streetcar Named Desire – Mehreen Bhatti
A Streetcar Named Desire – Mehreen Bhatti
Journal Entry #1: As I began to read A Streetcar Named Desire, I realized certain things about the scene of the story and the characters in it. New Orleans is not like any typical place in the United States throughout history. The religion is not like usual states in the south, they are catholic. Also, people of different ethnicities get along and all negative things are forgotten when something bad happens like a big fight. An example is how Stanley and Stella are attracted to each other in scene one despite their social class differences. Blanche caught my attention because she has lost a lot and is not very happy. Everything she has gone through is likely to affect her in the long run. I do not really like the fact that Stanley is using Stella for her inheritances and believes that everything she has belongs to him also. I can connect to Blanche in a way; I take many baths to rid myself of any anger or to calm myself down like Blanche does. I feel bad for Blanche because she is naïve. She thinks that she is strong enough not to let Stanley hurt her in any way but I feel like he knows her well enough to recognize her strengths and weaknesses. I feel as is Stella is too blinded by love. Stanley is a beast and does not treat her very well. I wish she would follow the right instincts and realize that her sister is the one who wants the best for her. In scene four, Stella finds one of Stanley’s violent acts “thrilling”. This made me think that Stella is a masochist because she is attracted to Stanley’s violent characteristics.
Journal Entry #2: Blanche is very closed up. I don’t understand how she cannot open up to her own sister. A sister is supposed to be a best friend aside from being a sister. If Blanche was able to open up to her sister about her past I am sure that Stella would have been able to give her sister the best advice for her to understand that Mitch is the man she needs to pull her away from everything negative in her past. Blanche does not even open up even when it is obvious that there is something she is hiding when Stanley questions her. It shows that Blanche is desperate to find an answer to her problems and before she actually reveals something she seduces the newspaper boy. This action exposed something of her past which was that she practices fornication. I think she needs to hurry up and open up to Mitch because he is the one who can illuminate her life again before it is too late. In scene seven, Blanche is exposed by Stanley and I felt bad as I read this scene because I was hoping that Blanche would come out to Mitch herself about her past. I think that if it was her to tell him, he would have helped her. His view of her has been completely changed now. I liked to see Stella take a stand for once in scene eight although he got the power back once she asked him to take her to the hospital because he was the only person she could turn to when vulnerable.
Journal Entry #3: I feel sorry for Blanche now that Mitch has confronted her and they have broken up. Marriage was the only thing she thought could save her and after that break up she felt like there was no light left in her life. Stanley’s encounter with Blanche when he physically acts on her completely destroys her. It symbolizes the end to her made up world. I did not like Stanley from the beginning because of his animalistic character but this last act of his made me dislike him even more. How could he do something like that to Stella who is about to give birth to his child? Blanche ended up suffering more instead of progressing. Stella also suffered; when she cries at the end of scene eleven, she was crying for her sister Blanche because she couldn’t believe the story and she could not deny it either. She knew there was some truth in it but she felt as if she had to stay with Stanley. It just comes to show that women in this time and in the South are vulnerable when it comes to family and stability no matter what the cost.
Journal Entry #1: As I began to read A Streetcar Named Desire, I realized certain things about the scene of the story and the characters in it. New Orleans is not like any typical place in the United States throughout history. The religion is not like usual states in the south, they are catholic. Also, people of different ethnicities get along and all negative things are forgotten when something bad happens like a big fight. An example is how Stanley and Stella are attracted to each other in scene one despite their social class differences. Blanche caught my attention because she has lost a lot and is not very happy. Everything she has gone through is likely to affect her in the long run. I do not really like the fact that Stanley is using Stella for her inheritances and believes that everything she has belongs to him also. I can connect to Blanche in a way; I take many baths to rid myself of any anger or to calm myself down like Blanche does. I feel bad for Blanche because she is naïve. She thinks that she is strong enough not to let Stanley hurt her in any way but I feel like he knows her well enough to recognize her strengths and weaknesses. I feel as is Stella is too blinded by love. Stanley is a beast and does not treat her very well. I wish she would follow the right instincts and realize that her sister is the one who wants the best for her. In scene four, Stella finds one of Stanley’s violent acts “thrilling”. This made me think that Stella is a masochist because she is attracted to Stanley’s violent characteristics.
Journal Entry #2: Blanche is very closed up. I don’t understand how she cannot open up to her own sister. A sister is supposed to be a best friend aside from being a sister. If Blanche was able to open up to her sister about her past I am sure that Stella would have been able to give her sister the best advice for her to understand that Mitch is the man she needs to pull her away from everything negative in her past. Blanche does not even open up even when it is obvious that there is something she is hiding when Stanley questions her. It shows that Blanche is desperate to find an answer to her problems and before she actually reveals something she seduces the newspaper boy. This action exposed something of her past which was that she practices fornication. I think she needs to hurry up and open up to Mitch because he is the one who can illuminate her life again before it is too late. In scene seven, Blanche is exposed by Stanley and I felt bad as I read this scene because I was hoping that Blanche would come out to Mitch herself about her past. I think that if it was her to tell him, he would have helped her. His view of her has been completely changed now. I liked to see Stella take a stand for once in scene eight although he got the power back once she asked him to take her to the hospital because he was the only person she could turn to when vulnerable.
Journal Entry #3: I feel sorry for Blanche now that Mitch has confronted her and they have broken up. Marriage was the only thing she thought could save her and after that break up she felt like there was no light left in her life. Stanley’s encounter with Blanche when he physically acts on her completely destroys her. It symbolizes the end to her made up world. I did not like Stanley from the beginning because of his animalistic character but this last act of his made me dislike him even more. How could he do something like that to Stella who is about to give birth to his child? Blanche ended up suffering more instead of progressing. Stella also suffered; when she cries at the end of scene eleven, she was crying for her sister Blanche because she couldn’t believe the story and she could not deny it either. She knew there was some truth in it but she felt as if she had to stay with Stanley. It just comes to show that women in this time and in the South are vulnerable when it comes to family and stability no matter what the cost.
David Peraj A Streetcar Named Desire
David Peraj
A Streetcar Named Desire
Journal #1
I’ve started reading A Streetcar Named Desire and from the first three scenes they layout each character and their basic personalities. The first character that grabs my attention is Blanche because of what her initial reaction is to the living conditions for her sister’s house and her conversation with Eunice. On page 16-18 we see how Blanche does not approve of the surrounding area nor does she make an effort to be kind, to the point of being blatantly rude. Her attitude gives off the impression that she was supposedly from a family with some amount of wealth. Yet her sister Stella is completely different as she doesn’t mind living there since she is married and happy. Of course tension begins right there that I believe will continue through later on the book. When analyzing the character of Stella she has some qualities that make her different than Blanche since Stella gives almost a way to balance Blanche. Stella also seems to be the opposite of Stanley as she is calm while Stanly is brash, and rude. When analyzing Stanley at first he is shown as a relaxed person through the dialogue but his actions show otherwise.
In scene two he is shown as being selfish and greedy. This happens when Stella tells Stanley that Blanche lost Bell Reve. That apparently makes Stanley agitated and that makes him burst out and search Blanche’s bag for any indication that she spent all the money which he claims she has by what he believes to be expensive furs, jewels, and clothing. Stanley confronts Blanche by stating the Napoleonic code allows a husband to gain his wife’s property. His obsession with getting the money or land shows a greater concern for material needs than what occurred in Stella’s family. Aside from that he exhibits both a drinking problem and as well as showing a certain level of aggressiveness that leads him to act out to violently and assault his wife. However from what his friend Mitch stated to Blanche, Stanley and Stella always fight and that leads me to wonder why Stella has still stayed with him.
Journal #2
As I continue to read “Streetcar Named Desire” I sense that Blanche fears for her sister’s marriage as Blanche says Stanley is a “madman”. Blanche claims that she will get both her and Stella “out.” This comment reinforces my assumptions that she is a materialistic person. She states that the man she knows will help and get them money in Dallas due to him owning oil fields. From the way she stated her plan to Stella it appears she is desperate for money and needs is as soon as she can get a hold of it. Her actions also reflect that she is promiscuous as she becomes hesitant when Stanley starts asking about Shaw at the Flamingo. From her reaction I suspect that the Flamingo is a hotel were large amounts of prostitution occur. This scene is where we can see Stanley start to look closer into who Blanche really is and whether or not she is telling the truth.
My prediction is Stanley is not satisfied by what he has for Blanche’s answers and will go further into this which might put him at odds with his wife Stella. Her promiscuity is only further enforced when she licks a young man when neither Stanley nor Stella is in the home. This leads to the assumption that someone has to bring their attention with Blanche who indicates she might not have had enough attention growing up or has a superiority complex. Although Blanche has qualities that are unbecoming she does show slight reasons as to her actions and attitude. Blanche states to Mitch the she lost her husband when he killed himself. This scene shows Blanche in a state of weakness that she might exhibit later on. In terms of Mitch and Blanches relationship I feel as though there is some complexity because on one hand Mitch wants to settle with her, on the other she might just be using Mitch until she can head to Dallas. At the end of scene 7 we still see more tension build from Stella and Stanley, Stanley accusing Blanches of wrong doings and Stella who disregards what he said. Stanley goes so far as to get a bus ticket to make her leave.
Journal #3
I have finished the book and the ending is a bit dark but it is expected. Stanley has a problem with Blanche and has done everything in his power to make sure he remains dominant in his household. The actions he takes are to persuade Stella that Blanche is lying and that he has large amounts of evidence to support this. His argument is that she is a prostitute who has reached her age and is struggling to keep herself together. Stanley’s contempt for Blanche is so great that he tells Mitch of her actions around the Flamingo. This causes to have Mitch go to Blanche to call off any engagements however Blanche tries to filter it out by changing the subject. Blanche does her best to try and have Mitch to go back to her by constantly talking up to the point where Mitch has heard enough. She does this by pretending to be preoccupied which starts to wear on Mitch. With her mental instability taking over she admits to all the lies and then screams to make Mitch get out. This leaves Blanche alone and she begins to drift deeper and deeper in losing her mind.
After the ordeal with Mitch, Blanche appears to be in a state of delusion as she is dressed up in old clothes talking to herself. Stanley arrives and only causes her more grief as Blanche claims to have gotten a telegram from a millionaire to go with him on a Yacht to the Caribbean, and that Mitch tried to go back to her. However Stanley can see through lies and state that neither of what she said happened. With the verbal assault she starts to have increasing mental instability. To make matters worse Stanley rapes her while Stella is away and makes Blanche completely fall apart. Stella at first didn’t believe Stanley, but when he suggested their marriage was at risk she quickly knew she had to get rid of Blanche. At the very end she was torn by her decision as she felt that she betrayed her sister in siding with Stanley.
A Streetcar Named Desire
Journal #1
I’ve started reading A Streetcar Named Desire and from the first three scenes they layout each character and their basic personalities. The first character that grabs my attention is Blanche because of what her initial reaction is to the living conditions for her sister’s house and her conversation with Eunice. On page 16-18 we see how Blanche does not approve of the surrounding area nor does she make an effort to be kind, to the point of being blatantly rude. Her attitude gives off the impression that she was supposedly from a family with some amount of wealth. Yet her sister Stella is completely different as she doesn’t mind living there since she is married and happy. Of course tension begins right there that I believe will continue through later on the book. When analyzing the character of Stella she has some qualities that make her different than Blanche since Stella gives almost a way to balance Blanche. Stella also seems to be the opposite of Stanley as she is calm while Stanly is brash, and rude. When analyzing Stanley at first he is shown as a relaxed person through the dialogue but his actions show otherwise.
In scene two he is shown as being selfish and greedy. This happens when Stella tells Stanley that Blanche lost Bell Reve. That apparently makes Stanley agitated and that makes him burst out and search Blanche’s bag for any indication that she spent all the money which he claims she has by what he believes to be expensive furs, jewels, and clothing. Stanley confronts Blanche by stating the Napoleonic code allows a husband to gain his wife’s property. His obsession with getting the money or land shows a greater concern for material needs than what occurred in Stella’s family. Aside from that he exhibits both a drinking problem and as well as showing a certain level of aggressiveness that leads him to act out to violently and assault his wife. However from what his friend Mitch stated to Blanche, Stanley and Stella always fight and that leads me to wonder why Stella has still stayed with him.
Journal #2
As I continue to read “Streetcar Named Desire” I sense that Blanche fears for her sister’s marriage as Blanche says Stanley is a “madman”. Blanche claims that she will get both her and Stella “out.” This comment reinforces my assumptions that she is a materialistic person. She states that the man she knows will help and get them money in Dallas due to him owning oil fields. From the way she stated her plan to Stella it appears she is desperate for money and needs is as soon as she can get a hold of it. Her actions also reflect that she is promiscuous as she becomes hesitant when Stanley starts asking about Shaw at the Flamingo. From her reaction I suspect that the Flamingo is a hotel were large amounts of prostitution occur. This scene is where we can see Stanley start to look closer into who Blanche really is and whether or not she is telling the truth.
My prediction is Stanley is not satisfied by what he has for Blanche’s answers and will go further into this which might put him at odds with his wife Stella. Her promiscuity is only further enforced when she licks a young man when neither Stanley nor Stella is in the home. This leads to the assumption that someone has to bring their attention with Blanche who indicates she might not have had enough attention growing up or has a superiority complex. Although Blanche has qualities that are unbecoming she does show slight reasons as to her actions and attitude. Blanche states to Mitch the she lost her husband when he killed himself. This scene shows Blanche in a state of weakness that she might exhibit later on. In terms of Mitch and Blanches relationship I feel as though there is some complexity because on one hand Mitch wants to settle with her, on the other she might just be using Mitch until she can head to Dallas. At the end of scene 7 we still see more tension build from Stella and Stanley, Stanley accusing Blanches of wrong doings and Stella who disregards what he said. Stanley goes so far as to get a bus ticket to make her leave.
Journal #3
I have finished the book and the ending is a bit dark but it is expected. Stanley has a problem with Blanche and has done everything in his power to make sure he remains dominant in his household. The actions he takes are to persuade Stella that Blanche is lying and that he has large amounts of evidence to support this. His argument is that she is a prostitute who has reached her age and is struggling to keep herself together. Stanley’s contempt for Blanche is so great that he tells Mitch of her actions around the Flamingo. This causes to have Mitch go to Blanche to call off any engagements however Blanche tries to filter it out by changing the subject. Blanche does her best to try and have Mitch to go back to her by constantly talking up to the point where Mitch has heard enough. She does this by pretending to be preoccupied which starts to wear on Mitch. With her mental instability taking over she admits to all the lies and then screams to make Mitch get out. This leaves Blanche alone and she begins to drift deeper and deeper in losing her mind.
After the ordeal with Mitch, Blanche appears to be in a state of delusion as she is dressed up in old clothes talking to herself. Stanley arrives and only causes her more grief as Blanche claims to have gotten a telegram from a millionaire to go with him on a Yacht to the Caribbean, and that Mitch tried to go back to her. However Stanley can see through lies and state that neither of what she said happened. With the verbal assault she starts to have increasing mental instability. To make matters worse Stanley rapes her while Stella is away and makes Blanche completely fall apart. Stella at first didn’t believe Stanley, but when he suggested their marriage was at risk she quickly knew she had to get rid of Blanche. At the very end she was torn by her decision as she felt that she betrayed her sister in siding with Stanley.
Zanovia Pierce --Crime and Punishment 2
Journal Entry #2:
As I read further most of my questions were answered. I came to find out what action Rasknolnikov was contemplating was awful. He was thinking of killing the old lady pawnbroker introduced earlier in the book. The narrator goes back to the time Rasknolnikov first laid eyes on the old woman and described how he hated everything about her. Also how he overheard two people talking about the old lady explaining there feelings about her, saying she was basically horrible person and should not be alive. Hearing this Rasknolnikov took the matter into his own hands and killed her one night while she was alone in her apartment. Soon after that her sister came home to find her dead, but Rasknolnikov was still there and when she saw him he killed her too.
In my opinion Rasknolnikov has some serious problems. I don't know if he was trying to be a vigilante or something along those lines, but what he did was completely wrong in every way. He doesn't seem to fully understand that thoroughly though and that scares, and makes me question what he's going to do next? I guess I'll have to find out. Whatever it is I don't think its going to be good.
As I read further most of my questions were answered. I came to find out what action Rasknolnikov was contemplating was awful. He was thinking of killing the old lady pawnbroker introduced earlier in the book. The narrator goes back to the time Rasknolnikov first laid eyes on the old woman and described how he hated everything about her. Also how he overheard two people talking about the old lady explaining there feelings about her, saying she was basically horrible person and should not be alive. Hearing this Rasknolnikov took the matter into his own hands and killed her one night while she was alone in her apartment. Soon after that her sister came home to find her dead, but Rasknolnikov was still there and when she saw him he killed her too.
In my opinion Rasknolnikov has some serious problems. I don't know if he was trying to be a vigilante or something along those lines, but what he did was completely wrong in every way. He doesn't seem to fully understand that thoroughly though and that scares, and makes me question what he's going to do next? I guess I'll have to find out. Whatever it is I don't think its going to be good.
Jiordalys Figueroa A Street Car Named Desire 1-2-3
Jiordalys Figueroa
A Street Car Named Desire
Journal #1
In scene one we are introduced to Blanche, Stella’s sister, and although I just started reading the play I can already tell that she is going to be a complicated character. I can tell she is very high class by the way she was dressed, as described in the play “looking as if she were arriving at a summer tea or cocktail party in the garden district” and because she was shocked to know that her sister, Stella, lived in a low class neighborhood; When Eunice let Blanche into Stella’s apartment she seemed very uncomfortable and out of place. She also told Stella how she felt about her apartment, was shocked to know that she didn’t have a maid, and asked why Stella didn’t tell her she lived in “such bad conditions”, but little did she know that Stella was actually quite happy with her home. Although I am at the beginning of the play, I also think Blanche has an alcohol problem because she felt really uncomfortable in Stella’s home until she saw a whiskey bottle, she right away pours herself a shot, downs it immediately, replaces the bottle, cleans her tumbler, and quickly returns to her seat in front of the table as if she were doing something wrong. When Stella arrives and begins to look for the Whiskey bottle, Blanche acts if she has no clue where it is, and when Stanley offers her a drink she declines, saying she rarely drinks.
I am assuming that the man on the cover is Stanley; I right away concluded that he is a handsome, hard working man (due to his muscles), and in scene one he seems very nice, however, as I continue reading, I’m starting to see his true colors. I didn’t like when Stella, so enthusiastically, told Stanley that she was going to take her sister out for supper and then to a show while he had his poker night, and all he did was complain about his supper and how she had to make him food. He also seems kind of rude, however he is smart because, unlike Stella, he isn’t fooled by Blanche, he doesn’t believe that Blanche lost Belle Reve, and neither do I. I am really curious to know what really happened to Belle Reve and why Blanche is actually visiting Stella.
Jiordalys Figueroa
A Street Car Named Desire
Journal #2
I just finished reading scene six and I am really into this book!! I have mix feelings about Stanley but most of them are negative, I cannot believe that in scene three Stanley abuses Stella, who’s carrying his child! I knew he was rude but I was not expecting that, and I was definitely not expecting Stella to go back to him the same night!! What is wrong with her, I know that’s her husband and the father of her child, but for her to forgive him so quickly makes it seem like she didn’t really care that he hit her. Although Blanche is a bit weird, I understand why she was describing Stanley as a monster in scene four and how shocked she was to see how calm her sister was about the whole situation and acted as if his actions were acceptable (even I was shocked), but I guess we both have to take into consideration that Stanley did apologize, and regretted what he did. No one knows Stanley better than Stella so there must be a reason to why she went back to him.
I find it really cute that Mitch and Blanche like each other, and I liked the fact that they were going on a date, however the ending of scene five was really weird and wrong. While Blanche was waiting for her date, Mitch, she kisses a young man, who was collecting money for a newspaper, on the lips and then sends him on his way, saying, “I’ve got to be good—and keep my hands off children.” This makes me suspicious, I don’t think this was the first time that she’s kissed a minor, I also think she is a bit crazy because a few moments later Mitch appears with a bunch of roses and she accepts the roses, and acts as if nothing happened. Poor Mitch, he doesn’t know what he’s getting himself into. I wonder why Blanche has such a problem with her age, some women don’t like telling their age because they don’t want to seem old but for her is a really big deal, she just hates her age!
Jiordalys Figueroa
A Street Car Named Desire
Journal #3
I just finished reading the play and all I can say is WOW !! so many things happened! I was right about Blanche, the young man she kissed in scene five was not the first minor she’s done something with. Stanley found out a lot about Blanche from a supply man he works with who regularly travels to Blanche and Stella’s hometown of Laurel, Mississippi. One of the things he found was that she got kicked out of the high school where she taught English, in Laurel, because a father reported his discovery that Blanche was having a relationship with a seventeen-year-old boy. He also found out that she was no longer allowed in the Flamingo Hotel, where she lived after she lost Belle Reve because of her immortal behavior; she’s slept around with so many men that she was known as “out-of-bounds” by an army camp near Laurel. She was practically told by the mayor of the town to leave. Stanley enjoyed telling Stella all of this because he was dying to get Blanche out of the house; he even told Mitch who was really into Blanche.
I think the reason why Stanley is always so mean and angry is because Blanche’s criticism actually effects him and makes him feel insecure, he demonstrates this when he throws his plate on the floor after Stella ordered him to go wash up because his face and hands were greasy. Things get even worse as the book comes to an end; In scene ten, After Stella is rushed to the hospital, because she was giving birth, Stanley, having a couple of drinks in his system, rapes Blanche!
Most books have a happy ending; however there is always an exception. The ending to this play was not a happy one whatsoever! Stella betrayed her sister; she didn’t believe her when she told her that Stanley raped her and instead stayed by Stanley’s side and placed Blanche in a mental institution. It’s true that Blanche was a bit crazy and had problems but it was nothing that Stella couldn’t handle; I think Blanche was just traumatized by husband, who killed himself after she discovered his homosexuality. This play was very good; I think it had a very ironic ending which I believe was what made the play great!!
A Street Car Named Desire
Journal #1
In scene one we are introduced to Blanche, Stella’s sister, and although I just started reading the play I can already tell that she is going to be a complicated character. I can tell she is very high class by the way she was dressed, as described in the play “looking as if she were arriving at a summer tea or cocktail party in the garden district” and because she was shocked to know that her sister, Stella, lived in a low class neighborhood; When Eunice let Blanche into Stella’s apartment she seemed very uncomfortable and out of place. She also told Stella how she felt about her apartment, was shocked to know that she didn’t have a maid, and asked why Stella didn’t tell her she lived in “such bad conditions”, but little did she know that Stella was actually quite happy with her home. Although I am at the beginning of the play, I also think Blanche has an alcohol problem because she felt really uncomfortable in Stella’s home until she saw a whiskey bottle, she right away pours herself a shot, downs it immediately, replaces the bottle, cleans her tumbler, and quickly returns to her seat in front of the table as if she were doing something wrong. When Stella arrives and begins to look for the Whiskey bottle, Blanche acts if she has no clue where it is, and when Stanley offers her a drink she declines, saying she rarely drinks.
I am assuming that the man on the cover is Stanley; I right away concluded that he is a handsome, hard working man (due to his muscles), and in scene one he seems very nice, however, as I continue reading, I’m starting to see his true colors. I didn’t like when Stella, so enthusiastically, told Stanley that she was going to take her sister out for supper and then to a show while he had his poker night, and all he did was complain about his supper and how she had to make him food. He also seems kind of rude, however he is smart because, unlike Stella, he isn’t fooled by Blanche, he doesn’t believe that Blanche lost Belle Reve, and neither do I. I am really curious to know what really happened to Belle Reve and why Blanche is actually visiting Stella.
Jiordalys Figueroa
A Street Car Named Desire
Journal #2
I just finished reading scene six and I am really into this book!! I have mix feelings about Stanley but most of them are negative, I cannot believe that in scene three Stanley abuses Stella, who’s carrying his child! I knew he was rude but I was not expecting that, and I was definitely not expecting Stella to go back to him the same night!! What is wrong with her, I know that’s her husband and the father of her child, but for her to forgive him so quickly makes it seem like she didn’t really care that he hit her. Although Blanche is a bit weird, I understand why she was describing Stanley as a monster in scene four and how shocked she was to see how calm her sister was about the whole situation and acted as if his actions were acceptable (even I was shocked), but I guess we both have to take into consideration that Stanley did apologize, and regretted what he did. No one knows Stanley better than Stella so there must be a reason to why she went back to him.
I find it really cute that Mitch and Blanche like each other, and I liked the fact that they were going on a date, however the ending of scene five was really weird and wrong. While Blanche was waiting for her date, Mitch, she kisses a young man, who was collecting money for a newspaper, on the lips and then sends him on his way, saying, “I’ve got to be good—and keep my hands off children.” This makes me suspicious, I don’t think this was the first time that she’s kissed a minor, I also think she is a bit crazy because a few moments later Mitch appears with a bunch of roses and she accepts the roses, and acts as if nothing happened. Poor Mitch, he doesn’t know what he’s getting himself into. I wonder why Blanche has such a problem with her age, some women don’t like telling their age because they don’t want to seem old but for her is a really big deal, she just hates her age!
Jiordalys Figueroa
A Street Car Named Desire
Journal #3
I just finished reading the play and all I can say is WOW !! so many things happened! I was right about Blanche, the young man she kissed in scene five was not the first minor she’s done something with. Stanley found out a lot about Blanche from a supply man he works with who regularly travels to Blanche and Stella’s hometown of Laurel, Mississippi. One of the things he found was that she got kicked out of the high school where she taught English, in Laurel, because a father reported his discovery that Blanche was having a relationship with a seventeen-year-old boy. He also found out that she was no longer allowed in the Flamingo Hotel, where she lived after she lost Belle Reve because of her immortal behavior; she’s slept around with so many men that she was known as “out-of-bounds” by an army camp near Laurel. She was practically told by the mayor of the town to leave. Stanley enjoyed telling Stella all of this because he was dying to get Blanche out of the house; he even told Mitch who was really into Blanche.
I think the reason why Stanley is always so mean and angry is because Blanche’s criticism actually effects him and makes him feel insecure, he demonstrates this when he throws his plate on the floor after Stella ordered him to go wash up because his face and hands were greasy. Things get even worse as the book comes to an end; In scene ten, After Stella is rushed to the hospital, because she was giving birth, Stanley, having a couple of drinks in his system, rapes Blanche!
Most books have a happy ending; however there is always an exception. The ending to this play was not a happy one whatsoever! Stella betrayed her sister; she didn’t believe her when she told her that Stanley raped her and instead stayed by Stanley’s side and placed Blanche in a mental institution. It’s true that Blanche was a bit crazy and had problems but it was nothing that Stella couldn’t handle; I think Blanche was just traumatized by husband, who killed himself after she discovered his homosexuality. This play was very good; I think it had a very ironic ending which I believe was what made the play great!!
Daniel Vladimirsky Crime and Punishment
Daniel Vladimirsky
Crime and Punishment Journals
Journal # 1: So I just finished parts 1 and 2 of Crime and Punishment and Raskolnikov seems to be a very interesting character. From the outset of the book, you can tell that he is very egotistical and self-centered. Raskolnikov is described as handsome which contributes to his pride and his solitary lifestyle contributes to why he perceives other humans as wrong and inane due to his lack of human interaction which probably leads to his idea of killing the pawnbroker, Alyona Ivanovna. The narrator describes Raskolnikov’s clothing as old and tattered and goes on to mention that he doesn’t care about his clothes because he feels everyone so inferior to him anyway. Raskolnikov’s pride becomes more complex as he begins to show compassion and then turns it around to feed his ego such as when he gave the Marmeladovs money and then states that they would not have survived had it not been for the money he gave to them. We see later on that Raskolnikov has more compassion buried deep down as he resents his plan of killing the pawnbroker and begins to detest himself for it, although executing his plan anyway and allowing his belief that he is above societal law to persist. He believes that fate wants him to kill the pawnbroker and that he is justified in doing so which continues to fuel his pride. After committing the crime, Raskolnikov doesn’t feel how he expected himself to feel as he feels weak and delirious as opposed to his expected feeling of pride and accomplishment. He becomes paranoid with being caught and worries about every minor detail. Raskolnikov later becomes his own enemy as he twice nearly confesses to the crime. His guilt begins to build and it becomes clear when he offers his help to the Marmeladov family because of his guilt.
Journal # 2: After having finished parts 3 and 4, I can see the possibility of Raskolnikov being mentally unsound. We begin to see a connection between Raskolnikov having the mindset of a criminal and his madness. His emotions begin to take over and he lacks self-control and thus risks giving himself away. This is clear when he faints after his sister mentioning that she has not killed someone. Raskolnikov’s inner conflict intensifies as he must avoid peoples’ suspicion and getting caught while simultaneously dealing with his overwhelming emotions and guilt. The discussion of Raskolnikov’s article gives us insight into his belief of a “superman” and why he feels he was justified in committing the crime and why he compares himself to Napoleon Bonaparte. Raskolnikov feels his actions were extremely utilitarian as the death of the pawnbroker was for the good of a great mass of people. His dream that Alyona was laughing at him while he was killing her shows that his pride in himself in slipping and that he is becoming more inadequate. Raskolnikov continues to develop more compassion as he attempts to distance himself from his family once Luzhin leaves but only after he knows that his family is cared for by Razumikhin. This shows that he can’t face his loved ones knowing that he is keeping a great, dark secret from them. The story of Lazarus is symbolic in the sense that Raskolnikov wishes to be, like Lazarus, resurrected and begin a new life. Raskolnikov’s pride in himself further subsides as he comes extremely close to confessing to Petrovich, that is until Nikolai comes in and confesses to the murders.
Journal # 3: In part 5, Raskolnikov begins to come to terms with his crime and confesses to Sonya and tells her he will confess to the police. He shows an effort to resolve the torment he felt since the murders. Although this shows his return to humanity and his abandonment of viewing himself as a “superman”, Raskolnikov still views everyone around him as vile and inferior. Confessing to Sonya shows Raskolnikov’s first real interaction with humanity and a major step to redemption. Raskolnikov eventually comes to the realization that he committed the crime simply because he wanted to do something “daring” to prove himself as exceptional as opposed to his initial supposed reason that the pawnbroker was a parasite and needed to be disposed of. After Katerina dies, Svidrigailov approaches Raskolnikov and informs him that he overheard him confess the murders to Sonya. Raskolnikov begins losing a grip on his secret. With Dunya’s failure to kill Svidrigailov, the murder of Alyona and Lizaveta becomes not a deed for the greater good of people, but simply whether or not a person can find it in themselves to take another life which is a big difference between Dunya and Raskolnikov. Although Raskolnikov claims that suicide is beneath him and that is why he can’t go through with it after he leaves his mother, the truth is that the lacks the moral strength to kill himself. Raskolnikov finally realizes that he too is only human and decides to confess his crimes. In the epilogue, it is apparent that although Raskolnikov still feels there was morality in killing Alyona, he has begun his repentance. When he collapses at Sonya’s feet and weeps it is the first time he is ever truly happy since his mental deterioration began and that his faith in God through the cross and the Bible he received will bring him back to humanity.
Crime and Punishment Journals
Journal # 1: So I just finished parts 1 and 2 of Crime and Punishment and Raskolnikov seems to be a very interesting character. From the outset of the book, you can tell that he is very egotistical and self-centered. Raskolnikov is described as handsome which contributes to his pride and his solitary lifestyle contributes to why he perceives other humans as wrong and inane due to his lack of human interaction which probably leads to his idea of killing the pawnbroker, Alyona Ivanovna. The narrator describes Raskolnikov’s clothing as old and tattered and goes on to mention that he doesn’t care about his clothes because he feels everyone so inferior to him anyway. Raskolnikov’s pride becomes more complex as he begins to show compassion and then turns it around to feed his ego such as when he gave the Marmeladovs money and then states that they would not have survived had it not been for the money he gave to them. We see later on that Raskolnikov has more compassion buried deep down as he resents his plan of killing the pawnbroker and begins to detest himself for it, although executing his plan anyway and allowing his belief that he is above societal law to persist. He believes that fate wants him to kill the pawnbroker and that he is justified in doing so which continues to fuel his pride. After committing the crime, Raskolnikov doesn’t feel how he expected himself to feel as he feels weak and delirious as opposed to his expected feeling of pride and accomplishment. He becomes paranoid with being caught and worries about every minor detail. Raskolnikov later becomes his own enemy as he twice nearly confesses to the crime. His guilt begins to build and it becomes clear when he offers his help to the Marmeladov family because of his guilt.
Journal # 2: After having finished parts 3 and 4, I can see the possibility of Raskolnikov being mentally unsound. We begin to see a connection between Raskolnikov having the mindset of a criminal and his madness. His emotions begin to take over and he lacks self-control and thus risks giving himself away. This is clear when he faints after his sister mentioning that she has not killed someone. Raskolnikov’s inner conflict intensifies as he must avoid peoples’ suspicion and getting caught while simultaneously dealing with his overwhelming emotions and guilt. The discussion of Raskolnikov’s article gives us insight into his belief of a “superman” and why he feels he was justified in committing the crime and why he compares himself to Napoleon Bonaparte. Raskolnikov feels his actions were extremely utilitarian as the death of the pawnbroker was for the good of a great mass of people. His dream that Alyona was laughing at him while he was killing her shows that his pride in himself in slipping and that he is becoming more inadequate. Raskolnikov continues to develop more compassion as he attempts to distance himself from his family once Luzhin leaves but only after he knows that his family is cared for by Razumikhin. This shows that he can’t face his loved ones knowing that he is keeping a great, dark secret from them. The story of Lazarus is symbolic in the sense that Raskolnikov wishes to be, like Lazarus, resurrected and begin a new life. Raskolnikov’s pride in himself further subsides as he comes extremely close to confessing to Petrovich, that is until Nikolai comes in and confesses to the murders.
Journal # 3: In part 5, Raskolnikov begins to come to terms with his crime and confesses to Sonya and tells her he will confess to the police. He shows an effort to resolve the torment he felt since the murders. Although this shows his return to humanity and his abandonment of viewing himself as a “superman”, Raskolnikov still views everyone around him as vile and inferior. Confessing to Sonya shows Raskolnikov’s first real interaction with humanity and a major step to redemption. Raskolnikov eventually comes to the realization that he committed the crime simply because he wanted to do something “daring” to prove himself as exceptional as opposed to his initial supposed reason that the pawnbroker was a parasite and needed to be disposed of. After Katerina dies, Svidrigailov approaches Raskolnikov and informs him that he overheard him confess the murders to Sonya. Raskolnikov begins losing a grip on his secret. With Dunya’s failure to kill Svidrigailov, the murder of Alyona and Lizaveta becomes not a deed for the greater good of people, but simply whether or not a person can find it in themselves to take another life which is a big difference between Dunya and Raskolnikov. Although Raskolnikov claims that suicide is beneath him and that is why he can’t go through with it after he leaves his mother, the truth is that the lacks the moral strength to kill himself. Raskolnikov finally realizes that he too is only human and decides to confess his crimes. In the epilogue, it is apparent that although Raskolnikov still feels there was morality in killing Alyona, he has begun his repentance. When he collapses at Sonya’s feet and weeps it is the first time he is ever truly happy since his mental deterioration began and that his faith in God through the cross and the Bible he received will bring him back to humanity.
Zanovia Pierce --Crime and Punishment 1
Journal Entry #1:
Right away I would like to say the title and cover of the book gave off a very dark vibe to it. As I begin to read Crime & Punishment I shudder at the feeling the main character Raskolnikov, gives me. When Raskolnikov is introduced he is leaving his apartment passing his landlady's house on the way. As he shuffles out he is afraid to come face to face with her because he is several months behind on the rent. When he finally makes it outside he seems to be in deep thought about doing something. He is very detached from the outside world. Thinking to himself about this action he's going to take, makes a point of being afraid of meeting face to face with my landlady and since that was so he questioned himself on how he was supposed to pull off the task he had in mind. I'm curious as to what this thought is and why he is thinking it. The way he thinks in the book makes me wonder how stable his mentality is.
Right away I would like to say the title and cover of the book gave off a very dark vibe to it. As I begin to read Crime & Punishment I shudder at the feeling the main character Raskolnikov, gives me. When Raskolnikov is introduced he is leaving his apartment passing his landlady's house on the way. As he shuffles out he is afraid to come face to face with her because he is several months behind on the rent. When he finally makes it outside he seems to be in deep thought about doing something. He is very detached from the outside world. Thinking to himself about this action he's going to take, makes a point of being afraid of meeting face to face with my landlady and since that was so he questioned himself on how he was supposed to pull off the task he had in mind. I'm curious as to what this thought is and why he is thinking it. The way he thinks in the book makes me wonder how stable his mentality is.
Eddy Diamantis - Crime and Punishment- Journal 1
Eddy Diamantis
AP Literature
Crime and Punishment- Journal 1
Although a bit confusing, we are introduced to Raskolnikov ad his eventual crime in part one. As soon as Raskolinkov is introduced, he seems a bit odd going off on rants to himself about his life and what the future possibly holds for him. After he fails to get the amount of money he wanted from the pawnbroker, he meets Marmeladov who seems like a smart man but obviously too lazy to take his family out of poverty once Raskolnikov see’s his living conditions. I feel like Raskolnikov is generous to certain people not out of kindness but out of guilt, especially when he gives money to marmeladovs family and not wanting his sister to marry pyotr petrovich. As raskolnikov goes back to the bar and overhears a conversation about how disliked the pawnbroker is, he feels totally justified in murdering her since a few have the same ideas as him and he obviously feels smarter than everyone else since he thinks he can commit the perfect crime but he obviously cant since he ended up killing her sister too and not leaving with all the valuables like he wanted.
The actual Punishment in part two in the book begins where raskolnikov realizes the punishment has begun when he tries to hide his tainted clothing and panics over a summons that does not have to do with the murders. Raskolnikov only makes it more obvious that he committed the murders when he passes out at the police station. He is also a very ungrateful person for not taking the help that his kind friend razumikhin is offering him. Even though raskolnikov finds himself to be smarter than everyone else and is so afraid of being caught, I find it ridiculous that he almost confesses the murders to the inspector. I feel that Raskolnikov will need all the help he can get in order to redeem himself and keep himself safe from the law since he obviously is not as smart as he thinks.
AP Literature
Crime and Punishment- Journal 1
Although a bit confusing, we are introduced to Raskolnikov ad his eventual crime in part one. As soon as Raskolinkov is introduced, he seems a bit odd going off on rants to himself about his life and what the future possibly holds for him. After he fails to get the amount of money he wanted from the pawnbroker, he meets Marmeladov who seems like a smart man but obviously too lazy to take his family out of poverty once Raskolnikov see’s his living conditions. I feel like Raskolnikov is generous to certain people not out of kindness but out of guilt, especially when he gives money to marmeladovs family and not wanting his sister to marry pyotr petrovich. As raskolnikov goes back to the bar and overhears a conversation about how disliked the pawnbroker is, he feels totally justified in murdering her since a few have the same ideas as him and he obviously feels smarter than everyone else since he thinks he can commit the perfect crime but he obviously cant since he ended up killing her sister too and not leaving with all the valuables like he wanted.
The actual Punishment in part two in the book begins where raskolnikov realizes the punishment has begun when he tries to hide his tainted clothing and panics over a summons that does not have to do with the murders. Raskolnikov only makes it more obvious that he committed the murders when he passes out at the police station. He is also a very ungrateful person for not taking the help that his kind friend razumikhin is offering him. Even though raskolnikov finds himself to be smarter than everyone else and is so afraid of being caught, I find it ridiculous that he almost confesses the murders to the inspector. I feel that Raskolnikov will need all the help he can get in order to redeem himself and keep himself safe from the law since he obviously is not as smart as he thinks.
Eddy Diamantis -Streetcar Named Desire- Entry 2
Eddy Diamantis
AP Literature
Streetcar Named Desire- Entry 2
Reading scenes 3 to 6 revealed a lot of things about Blanche and her past, the relationship of Stanley and Stella and of the developing relationship between Blanche and Mitch. On the night that Blanche meets Mitch, she is obviously very flirtatious and begins to develop feelings for Mitch. However, Stanley had drunk too much at his poker game and became very violent towards Stella. Although Stella was shocked by the act, she of course went back to him after he famously shouted Stella’s name proving that Stella is a foolish and somewhat oblivious person to the fact that Stanley has a brutal and violent personality because she is so in love with him. However, in the next scene Blanche complains to Stella about her relationship with Stanley and takes for granted that she wants to leave her home which angers Stella deeply and demands that she stops. In response to her, Blanche uses a man she had apparently met in Miami named Shep Huntleigh as an answer to her economic troubles and as a way out of New Orleans but it is not clear if she is close with this man or if she has any other relations with him making this relationship very suspicious. It has become clear that as the book progresses, Blanche has a very superior attitude o not just her sister but to everyone around her and Stella really is doing nothing about it and the only person that is really standing in her way is Stanley.
In Scene 6, while on her date with Mitch, she invites him in afterwards for a drink (Blanche continues to drink all of Stanley’s alcohol!). Blanche then reveals to Mitch that in her previous marriage she had walked in on her lover having an affair with another man. While she was dancing to the varsouviana she had became very drunk and shouted at her lover about his incident with another man and her lover was so shocked he had ran out and killed himself. This moment in Blanches life strongly affects her and the events that happen to her like her relationship with Mitch. Also in scene five, I did not understand what was the point of the boy from the evening star?
AP Literature
Streetcar Named Desire- Entry 2
Reading scenes 3 to 6 revealed a lot of things about Blanche and her past, the relationship of Stanley and Stella and of the developing relationship between Blanche and Mitch. On the night that Blanche meets Mitch, she is obviously very flirtatious and begins to develop feelings for Mitch. However, Stanley had drunk too much at his poker game and became very violent towards Stella. Although Stella was shocked by the act, she of course went back to him after he famously shouted Stella’s name proving that Stella is a foolish and somewhat oblivious person to the fact that Stanley has a brutal and violent personality because she is so in love with him. However, in the next scene Blanche complains to Stella about her relationship with Stanley and takes for granted that she wants to leave her home which angers Stella deeply and demands that she stops. In response to her, Blanche uses a man she had apparently met in Miami named Shep Huntleigh as an answer to her economic troubles and as a way out of New Orleans but it is not clear if she is close with this man or if she has any other relations with him making this relationship very suspicious. It has become clear that as the book progresses, Blanche has a very superior attitude o not just her sister but to everyone around her and Stella really is doing nothing about it and the only person that is really standing in her way is Stanley.
In Scene 6, while on her date with Mitch, she invites him in afterwards for a drink (Blanche continues to drink all of Stanley’s alcohol!). Blanche then reveals to Mitch that in her previous marriage she had walked in on her lover having an affair with another man. While she was dancing to the varsouviana she had became very drunk and shouted at her lover about his incident with another man and her lover was so shocked he had ran out and killed himself. This moment in Blanches life strongly affects her and the events that happen to her like her relationship with Mitch. Also in scene five, I did not understand what was the point of the boy from the evening star?
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