In the beginning, Bigger was frustrated and didn't know how to deal with the white supression. “Every time I get to thinking about me being black and they being white, me being here and they being here, I feel like something awful’s going to happen to me….” (20). After Mary's murder, Bigger realizes that he can use the negative affects of white superiority to his advantage because blacks are viewed a certain way in society. Blacks are invisible because they are be supposed to be inferior to whites. Blacks were not looked at to commit such a crime. "Jan was blind.Mary had been blind. Mr.Dalton was blind. And Mrs. Dalton was blind..." (107) Mrs. Dalton was oblivious to the fact that Bigger was in the room with Mary that night because it did not cross her mind that a black man would do such a thing.
Bigger now has confidence and he feels like he has control. "The thing to do was to act just like others acted, live like they lived, and while they were not looking, do what you wanted. They would never know, "(106) Bigger now knew how to use their blindness to his advantage. He feels like he can get away with anything because he will never get caught. The Daltons will not suspect Bigger of murdering Mary because he is black. It would be out of social norms for a black person to have enough courage to commit such a crime in a white society.
Monday, April 11, 2011
native son-part 2
In the beginning of the novel, Bigger has no pride and his self worth is measured by how whites view him. Bigger expresses his feelings by saying "..me being black and they being white,...I feel like something awful's going to happen to me."(20) Gus tells him to brush it off and just accept it because there is nothing they can do about it. Bigger does not know how to deal with this fustration. Bigger "sells out" by taking the job the Daltons offer him because it was a way for him to earn money and have better living conditions. His condition did not give him a choice but to take the job so he can earn money to gain a better life. After he murdered Mary, his attitude and life changed. Bigger used the black "societal role" to his advantage.
“Jan was blind. Mary had been blind. Mr. Dalton was blind. And Mrs. Dalton was blind; yes in more way than one… he was black and would not have figured in her thoughts on such an occasion. Bigger felt that a lot of people were like Mrs. Dalton, blind…” (107)Blacks were invisible and inferior to whites. Bigger had no remorse for mudering Mary. He used her murder to his advantage. "It was a kind of eagerness he felt, a confidence, a fulness, a freedom; his whole life was caught up in a supreme and meaningful act,"(116) now he gained confidence and he felt like he had control of his life now.
Bigger had no remorse for Mary's death. In fact, he actually tries to use the murder to his own selfish advantages. Now he feels impowered and he has gained confidence which he lacked. "Next time things would be much different;he would plan and arrange so that he would have money enought to keep him a long time," this can be an indication that Bigger might murder again. He has the confidence that he can get away with it because he uses the fact that he is black and white people would not suspect him. I think this is a dangerous way for Bigger to gain confidence and control of his life.
“Jan was blind. Mary had been blind. Mr. Dalton was blind. And Mrs. Dalton was blind; yes in more way than one… he was black and would not have figured in her thoughts on such an occasion. Bigger felt that a lot of people were like Mrs. Dalton, blind…” (107)Blacks were invisible and inferior to whites. Bigger had no remorse for mudering Mary. He used her murder to his advantage. "It was a kind of eagerness he felt, a confidence, a fulness, a freedom; his whole life was caught up in a supreme and meaningful act,"(116) now he gained confidence and he felt like he had control of his life now.
Bigger had no remorse for Mary's death. In fact, he actually tries to use the murder to his own selfish advantages. Now he feels impowered and he has gained confidence which he lacked. "Next time things would be much different;he would plan and arrange so that he would have money enought to keep him a long time," this can be an indication that Bigger might murder again. He has the confidence that he can get away with it because he uses the fact that he is black and white people would not suspect him. I think this is a dangerous way for Bigger to gain confidence and control of his life.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
native son p.34-62
Bigger is selling out. He now can earn money to buy material things that he wants. "A dollar watch was not good enough for a job like this; he would buy a gold one..this would be an easy life." Bigger is taking the easy way out and with his new job he also has a place to stay. Now bigger has hope for a better life and has a chance for education because Miss Dalton gave education to the last black man who worked for her. Bigger is taking this opportunity for his own benefits. His living conditions will be better and now his mother gets sent twenty dollars and he gets five dollars for himself. White people still make him uncomfortable "he had not expected anything like this; he had not thought that this world would be so utterly different from his own that it would intimidate him." Bigger is still not comfortable with being around white people and he still feels like he has to measure up to their standards. "But when he was alone he would burn up the pavement; he would make those tires smoke," Bigger will take the chauffeuring job but he still will do what he wants and he doesn't take the job too seriously.
Monday, March 28, 2011
That Evening Sun
The human spirit is illustrated through Faulker's characters in "The Evening Sun". The matters of the heart are defined by the power division of whites and blacks at the time. Nancy, a black woman, is supressed by society. Her power is at the control of the people she works for; Mr.Stovall and his family whom are white. Nancy's courage is shown when she stands up to Mr.Stovall by repeating, "When you going to pay me?" as he beats her. Nancy also has a lack of courage and pride as she always repeats through out the story, "I ain't nothing but a nigger." Nancy accepted the fact that she might die and she is powerless by stating "I can't do nothing.Just put it off.And that don't do no good.". Nancy lived in fear of Jesus and was afraid of the dark. She had to stay by the lighted lamp and she didn't want to walk alone.
The division of power between blacks and whites are apparent in this story. Mother displays a sense of pride when she says, "Is her safety more precious to you than mine?" Nancy was considered less worthy of Mother because she is black. Mother did not like the fact that Father was caring for Nancy. Father shows some pity and compassion for Nancy as he decides to escort her on her way home eventhough it upsets Mother. Father tries to her help by suggesting, "Lock up your house and we'll take you on to Aunt Rachel's" but Nancy refuses the offer because she thinks it would not change what is destined for her.
The division of power between blacks and whites are apparent in this story. Mother displays a sense of pride when she says, "Is her safety more precious to you than mine?" Nancy was considered less worthy of Mother because she is black. Mother did not like the fact that Father was caring for Nancy. Father shows some pity and compassion for Nancy as he decides to escort her on her way home eventhough it upsets Mother. Father tries to her help by suggesting, "Lock up your house and we'll take you on to Aunt Rachel's" but Nancy refuses the offer because she thinks it would not change what is destined for her.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Ch.9 pg.163-180
Summary:
Reporters were all over the news of Gatsby's death and some reports were untrue. Nick plans a funeral for Gatsby by calling up people Gatsby knew. Nobody wanted to come to his funeral. Tom and Daisy had already left. Nick gets a hold of Gatsby's father, Henry Gatz. Gatz tells Nick about his son and how proud he was of him. The only people who end up at Gatsby's funeral were Henry, some servants, and Owl Eyes.
Character: Henry Gatz
“A solemn old man very helpless and dismayed, bundled up in a long cheap Ulster against the warm September day."
Henry Gatz is old, helpless, and a proud father. He lives in a house that Gatsby bought for him. He is not wealthy like Gatsby. Gatz is proud of his son and shows a picture of his mansion and his general resolves he wrote when he was young.
Henry is a person who knew Gatsby's past. He understood why Gatsby left when he was young and went off to try and seek success. Henry believed in Gatsby. He thought his determination and goals made him "great".
Quote: "I'll get somebody for you,Gatsby. Don't worry.Just trust me..."
Nick is one of the few that cared about Gatsby after his death. He is the one who organized his funeral and tried to get people to go. He felt like he was obligated to find people for Gatsby because he deserved it. Nick acknowledges that he is one of the better people he knows because he stays true to what he wants and his dream.
Reporters were all over the news of Gatsby's death and some reports were untrue. Nick plans a funeral for Gatsby by calling up people Gatsby knew. Nobody wanted to come to his funeral. Tom and Daisy had already left. Nick gets a hold of Gatsby's father, Henry Gatz. Gatz tells Nick about his son and how proud he was of him. The only people who end up at Gatsby's funeral were Henry, some servants, and Owl Eyes.
Character: Henry Gatz
“A solemn old man very helpless and dismayed, bundled up in a long cheap Ulster against the warm September day."
Henry Gatz is old, helpless, and a proud father. He lives in a house that Gatsby bought for him. He is not wealthy like Gatsby. Gatz is proud of his son and shows a picture of his mansion and his general resolves he wrote when he was young.
Henry is a person who knew Gatsby's past. He understood why Gatsby left when he was young and went off to try and seek success. Henry believed in Gatsby. He thought his determination and goals made him "great".
Quote: "I'll get somebody for you,Gatsby. Don't worry.Just trust me..."
Nick is one of the few that cared about Gatsby after his death. He is the one who organized his funeral and tried to get people to go. He felt like he was obligated to find people for Gatsby because he deserved it. Nick acknowledges that he is one of the better people he knows because he stays true to what he wants and his dream.
Ch.8 pg.147-162
Summary:
Nick visits Gatsby and tells him that he should run away. Gatsby refuses because he wants to stay for Daisy. He talks about his past with Daisy. Nick tells Gatsby that he is a great guy before he leaves. Nick ends things with Jordan. Wilson decides to find the car that killed Myrtle because he assumed that the person was her lover. Wilson finds Gatsby and shoots him when he lying in the pool. Then he kills himself.
Character: Michealis
“The young Greek, Michaelis, who ran the coffee joint beside the ash heaps was the principal witness at the inquest.”
Michealis is a nice, friendly, and caring man who was a witness at the accident. He stays with George to try and console him and keep his mind off of what happend.
Michealis was a witness to the accident. He tells the police everything he knows about the accident. He isn't a close friend of Wilson's but he still stays with him to make sure he is okay.He asked Wilson questions that remind him of what happend, which ends up making Wilson angry to eventually wanting to kill Gatsby.
Quote: “He had intended, probably, to take what he could and go—but now he found that he had committed himself to the following grail. He knew that Daisy was extraordinary but he didn’t realize just how extraordinary a ‘nice’ girl could be”
Gatsby has been chasing a dream that can never be found or achieved. His dream is to be with Daisy. Gatsby has dedicated his life to trying to achieve this dream but it can never be achived by him. Daisy is desired by many people which makes her more desirable to Gatsby.
Nick visits Gatsby and tells him that he should run away. Gatsby refuses because he wants to stay for Daisy. He talks about his past with Daisy. Nick tells Gatsby that he is a great guy before he leaves. Nick ends things with Jordan. Wilson decides to find the car that killed Myrtle because he assumed that the person was her lover. Wilson finds Gatsby and shoots him when he lying in the pool. Then he kills himself.
Character: Michealis
“The young Greek, Michaelis, who ran the coffee joint beside the ash heaps was the principal witness at the inquest.”
Michealis is a nice, friendly, and caring man who was a witness at the accident. He stays with George to try and console him and keep his mind off of what happend.
Michealis was a witness to the accident. He tells the police everything he knows about the accident. He isn't a close friend of Wilson's but he still stays with him to make sure he is okay.He asked Wilson questions that remind him of what happend, which ends up making Wilson angry to eventually wanting to kill Gatsby.
Quote: “He had intended, probably, to take what he could and go—but now he found that he had committed himself to the following grail. He knew that Daisy was extraordinary but he didn’t realize just how extraordinary a ‘nice’ girl could be”
Gatsby has been chasing a dream that can never be found or achieved. His dream is to be with Daisy. Gatsby has dedicated his life to trying to achieve this dream but it can never be achived by him. Daisy is desired by many people which makes her more desirable to Gatsby.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Ch.7 pg.113-145
Summary:
Gatsby stops his parties and fires all his servants to prevent gossiping. Nick goes to the Buchannan's for lunch and Jordan and Gatsby are there. Gatsby is shocked to see Daisy's child. During the lunch, Tom noticed that Daisy and Gatsby love each other. They all decide to go to town. Tom stops at Wilson's for gas and Wilson seems to know that her and Myrtle are having an affair. They all stay at the Plaza Hotel and Tom and Gatsby have a huge argument. Tom mocks Gatsby, acuses him of lying and having a bootlegging operation.On the way back, Jordan, Nick, and Tom find out that Myrtle got hit by a car and died. The car was yellow which looked like Gatsby car. When they are back, Nick finds out that Daisy was the driver that killed Myrtle.
Character: George Wilson
“She’s been talking about it for years… and now she’s going whether she likes it or not. I’m going to get her away”
Wilson cares about Myrtle. When he finds out that she is having an affair, he wanted to move her West. He is poor, hard working, spiritless, handsome, and caring.
Wilson is in a similar position as Gatsby. He is in love with a women, Myrtle, who is in love and has another relationship with another man. He takes action, like Gatsby, to try and keep the woman he loves, Myrtle. Myrtle doesn't love him because he is unable to support the lavish lifestyle she desires.
Quote: “His wife and his mistress, until an hour ago secure and inviolate, were slipping precipitately from his control”
Tom is losing his control of the two women in his life. He loves power and control. Now he is losing it all. He used to have control over the two women and the whole affair situation.
Gatsby stops his parties and fires all his servants to prevent gossiping. Nick goes to the Buchannan's for lunch and Jordan and Gatsby are there. Gatsby is shocked to see Daisy's child. During the lunch, Tom noticed that Daisy and Gatsby love each other. They all decide to go to town. Tom stops at Wilson's for gas and Wilson seems to know that her and Myrtle are having an affair. They all stay at the Plaza Hotel and Tom and Gatsby have a huge argument. Tom mocks Gatsby, acuses him of lying and having a bootlegging operation.On the way back, Jordan, Nick, and Tom find out that Myrtle got hit by a car and died. The car was yellow which looked like Gatsby car. When they are back, Nick finds out that Daisy was the driver that killed Myrtle.
Character: George Wilson
“She’s been talking about it for years… and now she’s going whether she likes it or not. I’m going to get her away”
Wilson cares about Myrtle. When he finds out that she is having an affair, he wanted to move her West. He is poor, hard working, spiritless, handsome, and caring.
Wilson is in a similar position as Gatsby. He is in love with a women, Myrtle, who is in love and has another relationship with another man. He takes action, like Gatsby, to try and keep the woman he loves, Myrtle. Myrtle doesn't love him because he is unable to support the lavish lifestyle she desires.
Quote: “His wife and his mistress, until an hour ago secure and inviolate, were slipping precipitately from his control”
Tom is losing his control of the two women in his life. He loves power and control. Now he is losing it all. He used to have control over the two women and the whole affair situation.
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