Rick Najera -- "Captured by Feministas" and "You Know How to Whistle, Dont You?"

#1. What genre is each play? Explain why?

• Capture by Feminstas= Tragicomedy, Because its funny and at the end Alegandro is dead.
• You Know How to Whistle, Dont You? = Melodrama

#2. How does his choice of diction affect your reading of the plays? "Be specific in your response. Use examples as support.
"Well, you bitches finally got me!" The use of words show that he is angry man.
"Go ahead, shoot me" In the beginning he doesnt care. Then later, " Oh please dont kill me." He became coward.

#3. What is the theme for each play?
1) In "Captured by Feminstas" This theme is more obvious. Words are easy to understand.

2) In "You Know How..." This Theme is less obvious. There no real point. So I dont understand.

#4. Alejandro is the Anatagonist.
All the women are protagonist because that the main character of the story.

#5. What is your opinion of each play?

1) In the first story, if someone give me a chance, I will get it.

2) I dont like the second story because that is not easy to understand.

Hamlet- Act III, Scence !: Hamlet famous Soliloquy

#1. What do you think Hamlet is saying?

I think that he is a man who is obsessing on a woman's beauty. Should he be there or not. Should he stay and be found out or should he leave and suffer with thoughts of separation from her. Should he die to self? He is unsatisfied with his life.

#2. Why is this soliloquy so famous? Can you identify with it?

It is highly quoted and used often. It would appear to be for many year, since Shakespeare is long dead now.
Yes- often times I am at a crossroads and don't know what I should do.

IS RAP/HIP HOP POETRY?

#1. Is Rap/Hip-Hop music poetic expression? Why or Why not?

I think some Rap/Hip-Hop has similes and some rhyme. For example "Me without a mic is like a beat without a snare..." Also it depends on how the person says it.

#2. What literary characteristics or poetic terms does this music express? Be specific & reference the Poetry Literary Terms handouts.

Rap- Rhyme, Repetitive lyrics, cursing (language of the times), and short phrases.
Hip-Hop- expressed feelings to do with that specific era, talked about the style of clothes and was more for listening than dancing.

(A) Rap uses simile a lot,  the structure is short stanza's, most of time it's denotation, but sometimes is connotation, has a lot of symbolism and alliteration ( words starting with the same letter).
(B) Hip-Hop has connotation (Ex. Tootsie Roll referring to the jiggle of the butt). Also many times hip-hop incorporated their policital views.

#3. What type of critic are you? Explain why.

I feel that I am a combination of Thematic Critic and Appropriate Critic.
According to the lyrics that I have read, they appear to have hidden meanings.
Sometimes the only way to get your point across is with the use of profanity.

Ernest Hemingway - "Hills Like White Elephants"

(PART 1)

#1.  Describe the setting. What is symbolic about where the story take place? Be specific.

The setting is in Spain at a train station. The two of them are in the bar area.

The setting is symbolic because it is very hot which makes the people involved uncomfortable physically. This is the same feeling that is produced when describing the uncomfortable tension between the two of them.

#2.  What is the point of view? What is the narrator's attitude toward the characters and the situation?

(Part A) The point of view is in the third person. The narrator does not tell exactly what is happening. Conclusions are made by the words in the dialogue and by the description of what is being done.

(Part B) The narrator is unbiased as far as each character and choose to tell the story in such a way that the emotions have to be concluded by the reader. The situation in the beginning is not clear. It become clear after the narrator uses the word "operation". Once that word is expressed the plot become more clear.

#3  How would you describe Hemingway's style?

I think Hemingway's style is to create a story by using words to place an image in your mind. He gives specific details to paint a picture, then leave a lasting impression on what he meant. In this story he shows the preciousness of life and how selfishness is an enemy to a good relationship

(PART 2)

Hemingway Biography -- Create a one paragraph biographical summary. Next, select 3 facts about his life that relate directly to the story. Cite your source(s).

Hemingway was a down to earth kind of man. when growing up he endured some hardships beginning with being forced to dress as a girl by his mothers. Also, his mother's domineering ways could not have been easy to live with. The fact that his father killed himself must have set his mind spiraling as well. When he apparently got through is aspect of his life, then he turned to writing, possibly as a release for his emotions. Through his life travels of the war etc., he learned a different topic for his writings. Ultimately, he due to his illness, died by his own hand. This, it seem, as a hereditary curse and is unfortunate for his many admirers.

(3 FACTS)

• Controlling character - " you don't have to be afraid."

                                  " I've known lots of people that done it."

• Death/Suicide - " It's really an awfully simple operation,jig," 

                                  "It's not really an operation at all"

• Relationship Problems - " And if i do it you'll be happy and things will be like they were and you'll love me?"

"The Lottery: by Shirley Jackson

This story was published in The New Yorker in 1948 and caused an instant uproar. (1) Many people were angered by the story's ending. (2) What do you think the purpose of "The Lottery" is? (3) Why did Jackson write this ficition piece? (4) What is the Theme or message of the story?

1. The towns people felt that the Lottery was fixed, but there was nothing they could do.
2. The purpose could have been not to trust anyone and done believe everything you hear.
3. The author wrote this story because during that time there was depression.
4. The theme is about traditions. How people are reluctant to change over the years.

"Everyday use" by Alice Walker

1. What does the term "everyday use" mean in this story? Why did Walker choose this as \the title?

• Everyday use can mean (1) something that is used everyday and is taken for granted. (2) Could mean something that is important enough to use every day; a must have.
• (Part B) Because the word "everyday " means different things to different people. It depends upon one's upbringing.

2. How do Dee, Maggie, and Mama define heritage? Whose view does Walker want us to agree with?

• Dee uses her heritage as a weapon to get what she wants. Maggie and mother embrace their heritage as an integral part of their lives.
• (Part B) Wants us to be statisfied with what you have in life. It is ok to long for things; but done make it your only focus. Never forget what you come from.

3. What is ironic about Dee's name change to Wangero?

• Dee changed her name because her given name was unimportant to her. The author on the other hand felt the opposite. Names are symbolic of one's heritage.

4. How would the story have changed if Mama was not the narrator?

• If mama was not the narrator, we would not have known the difficulties of the family. We would not be able to visualize how difficult it was for her to perform in a man's role.

Araby

1. Trace the text's use of light and dark imagery. Quote the text. When is the only time Joyce use light imagery in the story? What do these images represent in the story?

• "gazed at one another with brown imperturbable faces."
• "the colour of everchanging violet"
• "the dark dripping gardens"
• "the soft rope of her hair tossed from side to side"
• "like a summons to all my foolish blood"
• "my body was like a harp"
• "fine incessant needles of water playing in the sodden beds."
• "my soul luxuriated and cast an eastern enchantment over me"
• The air was pitilessly raw"
• "the brown clad figure"
• "like that which pervades a church after service"
• (part 2) When thje author describes how the boy is feeling about Mangan.
• (part 3) The images represent how the main character is feeling.

2. Explore symbolism- what various things might Araby represent to the narrator?

Araby represents the boys opportunity to please Mangan with a gift. It also makes him realize how inadequate he is, considering he is still a boy.

3. Identify and explore the plot -climax and falling action of the story. Why did the narrator eyes burn with "anguish and anger" act the end? What happens to him? What does he realize? What lesson does he learn?

PLOT: A young boy who inhabited a childrens home. He is secretly in love with a woman (Nun I think) who has no idea how he feels about her.

CLIMAX: The turning point in the story when the boy has opportunity to get close and talk to the woman he has been fantacizing about. Also obtaining the opportunity to impress her.

FALLING ACTION: The falling acting is the boys inability to buy a gift for his love.

(PART 2) His eyes burned because he was upset and disappointed.

• He saw that he was driven by his own vanity instead of reality.
• He realized fast how unimportant he is and that he has nothing to offer.
• He learns that he is but a boy that is maturing.