Well, the ending of Crime & Punishment was exactly what the rest of the book was, boring. Raskolnikov got arrested after confessing to a double homicide (who would have guessed that?) and he fell in love with Marmeladov’s prostitute daughter Sonya. Big whoop. I am so disappointed with this book I cannot even begin to explain it. As Rema said, I really hope Ms. Tramantano doesn’t hate me for that comment, but I really have never been so bored reading a book as famous as Crime & Punishment. Yet, now that I am finished with the book I am relieved to say I understand Raskolnikov’s character slightly more than I did previously (500 pages ago). While he still is one of the murkiest and in my opinion, least developed characters I have ever come across in my numerous years of reading, I will admit I felt a little bit of compassion for him towards the end of the book. Rema once again put it very well in her third and final post about this book, as to how we can now compare the minds and emotions of Raskolnikov and Blanche DeBois from A Streetcar Named Desire. I agree with Rema when she claims that Raskolnikov was truly insane, and quite frankly an idiot whose conscious got the better of him. How can a man who leaves money for a woman so desperately in need eventually live with himself after killing two women for virtually no purpose whatsoever.
Now that I have finished this book, I am very, very happy to say I would not recommend it just about anybody. While I’m sure as this coming school year goes on and we dive more into these two works my opinions will change, but as for now I am very disappointed with Crime & Punishment, and on the other hand, I am very impressed by A Streetcar Named Desire. I would be interested in what other people feel about this book (although as I have read many people feel the same way I do). If anyone could also divulge a little into their feelings about Raskolnikov and maybe how they compared this book to Streetcar as well, I’d be very interested too.
Showing posts with label Josh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Josh. Show all posts
Monday, August 24, 2009
Summer reading Assigment: Crime and Punishment Journal #2-- Josh
Two-thirds completed and I have come to the conclusion that reading Crime and Punishment has become just that, punishment. The dreary, boring, mindlessness of this book has made me almost as insane as the main character. After Raskolnikov commits the double homicide, I was looking forward to maybe something of the least bit exciting or entertaining. I was wrong. I really don’t have much to comment on this book, other than my sheer dissatisfaction for it. The romance I can somewhat see developing between Sonya and Raskolnikov seems pretty pointless in my opinion, and it is once again another reason I am not enjoying this book. The characteristics of Raskolnikov, his self-loathing yet pitiful nature are very confusing and are unlike any character I have seen before. This is a book full of death and unhappiness and unlike A Streetcar Named Desire, is very difficult to comprehend and in turn enjoy. The ending truly cannot come soon enough in possibly one of the most un-interesting books I have ever read.
As much as I have thoroughly NOT enjoyed this book, there is one positive I can take out of it, and that is how I can compare it to other works of literature. After reading A Streetcar Named Desire and then beginning to read Crime & Punishment I have been trying to find a connection between the two works of literature. So far, I have not found and significant similarities, except for the potential outbursts of anger and frustration that both Raskolnikov and Stanley seem to hold within them. Other than that, I find no positive factors.
As much as I have thoroughly NOT enjoyed this book, there is one positive I can take out of it, and that is how I can compare it to other works of literature. After reading A Streetcar Named Desire and then beginning to read Crime & Punishment I have been trying to find a connection between the two works of literature. So far, I have not found and significant similarities, except for the potential outbursts of anger and frustration that both Raskolnikov and Stanley seem to hold within them. Other than that, I find no positive factors.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Summer reading assignment Journal #1: Crime and Punishment--Josh
After having read a third of Crime & Punishment, I must say I am very disappointed (and honestly, bored). What I have heard is an amazing book from so many people has really become a disappointment for me, therefore makes it that much more difficult to read and comprehend. The only reason I will continue reading is because I have heard such great things about this novel, and I hope that eventually I can agree. I would like to begin by saying this, “what the heck is wrong with Raskolnikov?” He is an incredibly difficult character to figure out and I have spent the better part of the first third of this book attempting to do so with no luck. From the beginning of the book, I could tell he was a dark, yet intelligent man whom as it turns out, is certainly up to no good. From the early scene where he contemplates killing the pawnbroker, Alyona Ivanova to whom he sells a watch for much less that what it’s worth, I can tell he is somewhat psychotic. The scene inside the bar, where Raskolnikov goes to calm his nerves is a very interesting scene. I was, surprisingly, very interested in Marmeladov’s story, as well as the events following it. While I did not completely understand Marmeladov’s reasons for leaving his home and drinking all his money away, I did somewhat pity him. I felt even more for him after he returned home and his wife promptly harasses him in front of all the other tenants.
One of the most interesting things I have found so far, is how Raskolnikov reacts to the letter he receives from his mother, especially after hearing how Marmeladov’s daughter, Sonya has been prostituting herself to help support her family. In the letter, Raskolnikov’s mother explains how his younger sister, Dunya will be marrying a very rich man who wants to become Dunya’s “savior” because she is very poor. I love Raskolnikov’s reaction here, as he shows immediate distaste for the man his younger sister has agreed to marry because he does not want her to sacrifice her freedom of life in order to help him get a better career. The emotion he displays here is very critical to his character development, and I believe more of this compassion will develop throughout the course of the novel. I do hope this book gets better as I read more, and I hope someone could possibly help explain Raskolnikov’s character to me.
One of the most interesting things I have found so far, is how Raskolnikov reacts to the letter he receives from his mother, especially after hearing how Marmeladov’s daughter, Sonya has been prostituting herself to help support her family. In the letter, Raskolnikov’s mother explains how his younger sister, Dunya will be marrying a very rich man who wants to become Dunya’s “savior” because she is very poor. I love Raskolnikov’s reaction here, as he shows immediate distaste for the man his younger sister has agreed to marry because he does not want her to sacrifice her freedom of life in order to help him get a better career. The emotion he displays here is very critical to his character development, and I believe more of this compassion will develop throughout the course of the novel. I do hope this book gets better as I read more, and I hope someone could possibly help explain Raskolnikov’s character to me.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Summer Reading Assignment: A Streetcar Named Desire Journal #3-- Josh
As I read the final page of A Streetcar Named Desire and all to familiar shiver ran down my spine as I tried to imagine myself in the final scene. This play was truly one of the greatest I’ve ever read and I look forward to seeing the movie. By the beginning of scene ten, it is pretty clear that Blanche DuBois is very unstable both emotionally and mentally. It is at this point that I, a “Blanche DuBois Hater”, finally felt some sympathy for this woman. After 9 scenes, and a hundred some odd pages, I finally said to myself, “wow, this woman truly needs some help”. Now whether or not she needed psychiatric help, or maybe just somebody to love is debatable, but she clearly needed some sort of intervention. Her outbursts of anger, frustration and sadness were sure-fire signs of something wrong. Of all the scenes throughout the play, scene ten was probably the most confusing one for me. Did Stanley rape Blanche? Could he really have been that drunk to forget all the tension they had between each other, and actually bring himself to have sexual relations with her? These are questions that I thought might be answered before finishing the play, but I was mistaken.
Another scene that I truly enjoyed was the interaction between Mitch and Blanche. I could tell from early in the play that Mitch was a very sensitive man, who truly had feelings for Blanche. I could also see how clearly upset he was during their conversation, especially after what he had heard from Stanley and the others. What I don’t understand, is how can a man be so blind to see that there is something so clearly wrong with a woman like Blanche, but than again, that is where love blinds you. Now that I have completed the play, I am left with a few other questions about the future. The obvious one being what will happen to Blanche? Yet, I’d also love to receive some follow up on Stella and Stanley’s relationship now that they have a baby, does Mitch eventually find love once again, and what really did happen to Belle Reve. Sometimes, certain questions are best left unanswered and Tennessee Williams did an excellent job of keeping me guessing and on my toes throughout my reading. With this I come to my conclusion, A Streetcar Named Desire was truly a great read with so many great moments that any less interesting ones simply fade away. I look forward to reading more plays by Tennessee Williams as well as seeing the Oscar winning movie.
Another scene that I truly enjoyed was the interaction between Mitch and Blanche. I could tell from early in the play that Mitch was a very sensitive man, who truly had feelings for Blanche. I could also see how clearly upset he was during their conversation, especially after what he had heard from Stanley and the others. What I don’t understand, is how can a man be so blind to see that there is something so clearly wrong with a woman like Blanche, but than again, that is where love blinds you. Now that I have completed the play, I am left with a few other questions about the future. The obvious one being what will happen to Blanche? Yet, I’d also love to receive some follow up on Stella and Stanley’s relationship now that they have a baby, does Mitch eventually find love once again, and what really did happen to Belle Reve. Sometimes, certain questions are best left unanswered and Tennessee Williams did an excellent job of keeping me guessing and on my toes throughout my reading. With this I come to my conclusion, A Streetcar Named Desire was truly a great read with so many great moments that any less interesting ones simply fade away. I look forward to reading more plays by Tennessee Williams as well as seeing the Oscar winning movie.
Summer Reading Assignment: A Streetcar Named Desire Journal #2-- Josh
Another third of A Streetcar Named Desire is completed and I am still as thoroughly entertained as I was from the moment I picked up the play. The methods in which Tennessee Williams has progressed the storyline is truly remarkable, and has certainly kept my attention up to this point. I would like to point out a few things that have caught my attention whilst reading more of the play, and in turn have made the reading that much more interesting and, dare I say, fun. On page 72, of act four, Blanche goes on a small rant describing how barbaric and animal like Stanley is. Now on the surface, it appears that she truly dislikes Stanley in almost every way, but I do detect a tone of admiration and maybe even compassion within Blanche’s ranting. If I wasn’t aware of Blanche’s characteristics, and was unsure of how I thought she felt about Stanley, than that rant may have been just that, a soliloquy of anger towards her brother in law. Yet, having some idea of Blanche’s history as well as the numerous encounters she has had with Stanley, I might even be willing to say she may be jealous of Stanley. Moving on to page 73 of scene four comes one of the most touching parts in this play. After having listened to Blanche talk about how animal and brute-like Stanley is, it was truly an “Aww” moment when Stanley walked in and Stella gave him a huge hug like she did. It shows just how much she does truly love Stanley, and that was so far one of my favorite scenes from this Pulitzer Prize-winning play.
A question I have developed throughout my reading does not only apply to the middle third of the play, but the whole text in general. In a few instances, I have noticed misspellings of a few common words (ex- Pg 101, Scene 7, practically is spelt practickly). While this is obviously not a very important aspect of the literature, I just wonder why an author would use misspelled words as part of a dialogue. Now I really need to know, is it just me or does anybody else really not feel any sincere sympathy towards Blanche? Yes, it’s terrible her young lover committed suicide, it’s terrible she is so jumpy, paranoid and self-centered, yet I feel she put herself in the situation she is now. As terrible as it may sound, I truly feel no remorse for her. I feel it more for Stanley and Stella having to deal with her! In scene 7, I was thoroughly shocked when the truth came out about Blanche. The zero ounces of sympathy I had for her before plummeted into negative digits. Now it is unclear as to whether Stanley is accurate in his claims, but if he is, all respect for Blanche gets flushed down the toilet. I will say I am slightly surprised about what his accusations are, yet, it is somewhat expected in my opinion. No one can be the way Blanche is and not have a bad history.
A question I have developed throughout my reading does not only apply to the middle third of the play, but the whole text in general. In a few instances, I have noticed misspellings of a few common words (ex- Pg 101, Scene 7, practically is spelt practickly). While this is obviously not a very important aspect of the literature, I just wonder why an author would use misspelled words as part of a dialogue. Now I really need to know, is it just me or does anybody else really not feel any sincere sympathy towards Blanche? Yes, it’s terrible her young lover committed suicide, it’s terrible she is so jumpy, paranoid and self-centered, yet I feel she put herself in the situation she is now. As terrible as it may sound, I truly feel no remorse for her. I feel it more for Stanley and Stella having to deal with her! In scene 7, I was thoroughly shocked when the truth came out about Blanche. The zero ounces of sympathy I had for her before plummeted into negative digits. Now it is unclear as to whether Stanley is accurate in his claims, but if he is, all respect for Blanche gets flushed down the toilet. I will say I am slightly surprised about what his accusations are, yet, it is somewhat expected in my opinion. No one can be the way Blanche is and not have a bad history.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Summer Reading Assignment: Journal #1 A Streetcar Named Desire-- Josh
Before I even knew A Streetcar Named Desire had won 4 Oscars as a motion picture and was nominated for 8 others, I was looking forward to reading the play. The Pulitzer Prize-winning play written by Tennessee Williams has surely not disappointed, even for my high standards of literature. After having read about a third of the book, I have truly been blown away by its comedy, sarcasm, and drama. The main characters of Stanley, Stella, and Blanche are 3 very thought provoking and unique individuals that help make up the “meat” of this outstanding play. Of the three characters listed above, Stanley is by far my favorite. His wit, as well as his charm have truly made it clear as to why this book has received so much fame. The way he interacts with his wife, sister-in-law and his friends make him a very difficult character to understand sometimes, but I truly feel a connection with him. Stanley, like myself, is a man who tries to work hard, and is comfortable in his own skin. Blanche on the other hand, is the complete opposite. Egotistical, self-loathing, and a little pathetic, she has quickly worked her way down on my list of favorite characters in this play. Despite this fact, she is still a critical character in the story and I’m sure she will have much more significance later on down the road.
Now throughout my reading, I have come across a few things I would like to share. One question I have (that hopefully someone would answer for me), is on page 23, when Stella and Blanche are making sleeping arrangements, Stella proclaims in response to Blanche’s question of whether or not it will be “decent” sleeping near Stanley with no door, “Stanley is Polish, you know”. My question is, what is the significance of Stanley being Polish in this situation? What does him being Polish have anything to do with whether or not Blanche should feel comfortable sleeping so near to Stella’s husband? With this question, I also came across two sequences of dialogue, which I found very comical. The first scene in on page 86 of scene two, where Stanley and Stella are going through Blanche’s personal belongings, supposedly helping her “unpack”. After coming across Blanche’s costume jewelry collection he exclaims to Stella, “And what have we here? The treasure chest of a pirate!” I found that line as well as the dialogue preceding it to be very funny. Another scenario I found funny is on page 48 of scene three, when Blanche is introduced to Stanley’s friends. Upon making their acquaintance, Blanche goes on to say “Please don't get up” which Stanley retorts with “Nobody’s going to get up, so don’t be worried”. I can just picture it in my head how smoothly that scene must have been in the movie, with Stanley not missing a beat and proclaiming nobody will be standing up. I truly hope I am not the only one who finds these scenes to induce laughter, and I hope somebody will be able to answer my question above.
Now throughout my reading, I have come across a few things I would like to share. One question I have (that hopefully someone would answer for me), is on page 23, when Stella and Blanche are making sleeping arrangements, Stella proclaims in response to Blanche’s question of whether or not it will be “decent” sleeping near Stanley with no door, “Stanley is Polish, you know”. My question is, what is the significance of Stanley being Polish in this situation? What does him being Polish have anything to do with whether or not Blanche should feel comfortable sleeping so near to Stella’s husband? With this question, I also came across two sequences of dialogue, which I found very comical. The first scene in on page 86 of scene two, where Stanley and Stella are going through Blanche’s personal belongings, supposedly helping her “unpack”. After coming across Blanche’s costume jewelry collection he exclaims to Stella, “And what have we here? The treasure chest of a pirate!” I found that line as well as the dialogue preceding it to be very funny. Another scenario I found funny is on page 48 of scene three, when Blanche is introduced to Stanley’s friends. Upon making their acquaintance, Blanche goes on to say “Please don't get up” which Stanley retorts with “Nobody’s going to get up, so don’t be worried”. I can just picture it in my head how smoothly that scene must have been in the movie, with Stanley not missing a beat and proclaiming nobody will be standing up. I truly hope I am not the only one who finds these scenes to induce laughter, and I hope somebody will be able to answer my question above.
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