As I continued reading the novel, I felt even more puzzled, trying to understand Raskolnikov’s character. I believe that he is a very hard character to follow in literature. Half the time I’m reading, I’m asking myself questions about what he’s thinking about when he’s in a situation.
After Raskolnikov murders both Alyona and Lizaveta Ivanovna, he seems very paranoid about everything around him, especially when his landlady files a complaint to the police about his rent. As I was reading the part about Raskolnikov in the police station, I sensed some fear in his character. However, it is understandable. I know that if I had just committed a murder, I think the station is the last place I’d want to be at as well. I also found him to be very paranoid as he was trying to dispose of all the evidence that could connect him to the murders.
Lastly, I have questions about what happens after he leaves the station. On his way home, Raskolnikov sees his landlady being beaten by Ilya Petrovich, the police chief’s assistant. He then asks Nastasya about what he just saw. She seems surprised and confused, unaware of what Raskolnikov is talking about. At this point, I’m not sure as to whether or not Raskolnikov is having delusions. If it’s not that, then is this part of his plan to divert people away from the murders?
Showing posts with label Justin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Justin. Show all posts
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Summer reading Assigment: Crime and Punishment Journal #1-- Justin
As I started reading the first part of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s, Crime And Punishment, I wondered why Dostoevsky mentioned all these issues and events that don’t seem relevant to the story line. I completely understand the plot, but when he goes into detail in certain scenes, I’m puzzled.
As the story begins, the main character, Raskolnikov, finds himself in a tavern talking to a drunken man by the name of Marmeladov. There, Marmeladov is telling a story about his wife and daughter. He mentions how his wife used to be beaten and how his daughter “lives on a yellow pass” (in other words, she’s a prostitute). What I can’t comprehend is what Marmeladov’s personal life relates to Raskolnikov. Could this scene be connected to something that happens later in the book?
I also found myself confused about the dream Raskolnikov has. In his dream, a horse is abused to the point where it’s going to die. Why does he have a dream about something so gory and gruesome? As I’m reading these two scenes, I wonder if this is where Raskolnikov shapes his mind to become a person that in reality, he may not be.
Lastly, as I was reading, I stumbled upon a line that I couldn’t interpret. On page 42, it reads, “And that’s how it always is with these beautiful, Schilleresque souls till the last moment they dress a man up in peacock’s feathers”. What does Dostoevsky mean when he says this?
As the story begins, the main character, Raskolnikov, finds himself in a tavern talking to a drunken man by the name of Marmeladov. There, Marmeladov is telling a story about his wife and daughter. He mentions how his wife used to be beaten and how his daughter “lives on a yellow pass” (in other words, she’s a prostitute). What I can’t comprehend is what Marmeladov’s personal life relates to Raskolnikov. Could this scene be connected to something that happens later in the book?
I also found myself confused about the dream Raskolnikov has. In his dream, a horse is abused to the point where it’s going to die. Why does he have a dream about something so gory and gruesome? As I’m reading these two scenes, I wonder if this is where Raskolnikov shapes his mind to become a person that in reality, he may not be.
Lastly, as I was reading, I stumbled upon a line that I couldn’t interpret. On page 42, it reads, “And that’s how it always is with these beautiful, Schilleresque souls till the last moment they dress a man up in peacock’s feathers”. What does Dostoevsky mean when he says this?
Summer Reading assignment: Journal #3 A Streetcar Named Desire-- Justin
After finishing the play for the second time, I felt as though Williams did a great job with the play. He wrote it in such a fashion that led you to predict what was going to happen next. Towards the end, I had the feeling that something was going to happen to Blanche. I could see that she needed help. The “Varsouviana” playing in her head all the time, and in scene ten, when she was wearing the dress along with the tiara on her head, made her seem as though she was insane. It was also obvious that Stanley and Blanche were going to get into some kind of a fight. However, I was surprised that Stanley had the urge to rape. Not once, while reading the play, did it cross my mind that Stanley felt enough anger to rape a person, especially Blanche.
All and all, Tennessee Williams was very clear throughout the play. However, I have a question about the last line he writes. After the doctors leave to take Blanche to the hospital, Stella cries for Blanche and Stanley cries for Stella. Then, Steve says, “This game is seven-card stud”, and the play ends. What was Williams’ reasoning for ending the play with the start of a new game of poker? I don’t understand how this pertains to the rest of the play. To me, the last line of a novel or a play usually relates somehow to a situation happening in that moment. It seems very vague to end a play with a poker game when one of the main characters just left to go to a mental facility. If I were Tennessee Williams, I would’ve given Stanley or Stella the last line because of the situation they’re in. It’s not Steve who’s dealing with a conflict; it’s Stanley and Stella.
All and all, Tennessee Williams was very clear throughout the play. However, I have a question about the last line he writes. After the doctors leave to take Blanche to the hospital, Stella cries for Blanche and Stanley cries for Stella. Then, Steve says, “This game is seven-card stud”, and the play ends. What was Williams’ reasoning for ending the play with the start of a new game of poker? I don’t understand how this pertains to the rest of the play. To me, the last line of a novel or a play usually relates somehow to a situation happening in that moment. It seems very vague to end a play with a poker game when one of the main characters just left to go to a mental facility. If I were Tennessee Williams, I would’ve given Stanley or Stella the last line because of the situation they’re in. It’s not Steve who’s dealing with a conflict; it’s Stanley and Stella.
Summer Reading assignment: Journal #2 A Streetcar Named Desire--Justin
Journal # 2
As I continued reading, I started seeing two different themes taking place in the play: love and deception. The theme of love is seen through the strong connection Blanche and Mitch share. The way they interact with each other leads me to believe that they could be in love. The theme of deception is seen through Blanche’s background. Mitch believes that he knows her for who she is when in fact he has no idea that she’s not the girl she says she is.
Mitch is the type of guy who is very kind, courteous, and most likely able to fall in love. He lives at home with his sick mother whom he loves and cares for. Mitch feels as though he has to fulfill one of his mother’s last wishes, which is to start winding down and start a family (although his mother isn’t present in the play, we can say that this is her wish based on what Mitch has been saying about her). Once he met Blanche, he felt as though he could fulfill it. Little did he know, however, that there is more to Blanche than what he’s been told.
As I stated in my first journal, Blanche is irresponsible and self-centered. She has a history for lying. For example, she claims that she’s never been in Laurel when in fact she’s well known there for her act at the Flamingo Hotel in Laurel. Also, she claims that she resigned from her job as a teacher. Instead, she was fired for being involved with a seventeen year old boy.
If these two characters are so far apart from each other, then why is there such a strong connection between the two of them? Could it be their desire to be in an interment relationship? Also, if Mitch were to find out the truth about Blanche, what would happen?
As I continued reading, I started seeing two different themes taking place in the play: love and deception. The theme of love is seen through the strong connection Blanche and Mitch share. The way they interact with each other leads me to believe that they could be in love. The theme of deception is seen through Blanche’s background. Mitch believes that he knows her for who she is when in fact he has no idea that she’s not the girl she says she is.
Mitch is the type of guy who is very kind, courteous, and most likely able to fall in love. He lives at home with his sick mother whom he loves and cares for. Mitch feels as though he has to fulfill one of his mother’s last wishes, which is to start winding down and start a family (although his mother isn’t present in the play, we can say that this is her wish based on what Mitch has been saying about her). Once he met Blanche, he felt as though he could fulfill it. Little did he know, however, that there is more to Blanche than what he’s been told.
As I stated in my first journal, Blanche is irresponsible and self-centered. She has a history for lying. For example, she claims that she’s never been in Laurel when in fact she’s well known there for her act at the Flamingo Hotel in Laurel. Also, she claims that she resigned from her job as a teacher. Instead, she was fired for being involved with a seventeen year old boy.
If these two characters are so far apart from each other, then why is there such a strong connection between the two of them? Could it be their desire to be in an interment relationship? Also, if Mitch were to find out the truth about Blanche, what would happen?
Summer Reading assignment: Journal #1 A Streetcar Name Desire-Justin
Like many other students in the class, this too is my second time reading Tennessee Williams’ most-outstanding play, A streetcar Named Desire. Reading it reminds me of all the discussions we had in my 11th Grade English class. Whether it was a debate about Blanche being considered the antagonist in the play, or about questioning Stanley’s attitude, the play still intrigues me with some of the same feelings I had the first time. However, this time, I feel a little more sympathy for the characters.
As I read through the first few scenes of the play, I found myself, once again, unhappy with Blanche. I still envision her as the same irresponsible, self-centered liar as she first appeared. She seems to think that everything is her fault. The only way she can cope with this is by drinking her way out of thinking about it. But what can she really do? She just lost the plantation in Belle Reve, her family’s most-prized possession. The way she lets her drinking get out of hand as well as letting her emotions cloud her thoughts leads me to believe that she is sick. At the end of scene one when Stanley brings up Blanche’s marriage, she “sinks down”, almost as if what’s on her mind is too painful to discuss. I think that she’s held on to so much of her past over the years that it’s become difficult for her to discuss it.
As I read through the first few scenes of the play, I found myself, once again, unhappy with Blanche. I still envision her as the same irresponsible, self-centered liar as she first appeared. She seems to think that everything is her fault. The only way she can cope with this is by drinking her way out of thinking about it. But what can she really do? She just lost the plantation in Belle Reve, her family’s most-prized possession. The way she lets her drinking get out of hand as well as letting her emotions cloud her thoughts leads me to believe that she is sick. At the end of scene one when Stanley brings up Blanche’s marriage, she “sinks down”, almost as if what’s on her mind is too painful to discuss. I think that she’s held on to so much of her past over the years that it’s become difficult for her to discuss it.
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