My favorite reading was "A Streetcar Named Desire." I just really enjoyed reading the play and picturing people acting it out on stage. I would love to the it performed on stage or the movie. My least favorite was "Watchmen." I found all the references really interesting, but also kind of over my head because I do not know that history well enough. But overall, I could just not get into reading a graphic novel. I much rather read a normal book.

Watchmen

This was the first graphic novel that I've read, and I do agree with the article that is was "wearing" to read, because you must pay such close attention to the text and the pictures. There is so much symbolism references that this graphic novel must be read two or three times to pick up on all of them. I'm still not a huge fan of graphic novels, I perform normal novels, however, it was interesting to read something so different for a change.

Atonement

I think everyone is searching for atonement in this book. Of course Brioney is the main character searching for atonement for her "crime." In order to try to gain this atonement she writes a story with a different ending from real life. The fake ending is Robbie and Cecilia end up together and in love, and there is a chance that both Robbie and Cecilia will forgive Brioney. This story Brioney made up is her only source of solace for wrongly accusing Robbie of raping Lola. I do feel a little bad for Brioney at the end because I think she does feel bad for what she did, but a the same time she should have tried really hard to make everything right, rather than just writing a story to make herself feel better. Robbie and Cecilia are associated with atonement because they would be the ones forgiving Brioney for what she did. Also, there is WWII going on, and I'm sure that there are people seeking atonement for the people they may have killed in the war.

Blog 6

I decided to write this blog about the story "Pet Milk." I liked this story because I guess you could say that it is a "tragic love story." The narrator and Kate are in love, but they have different future goals, which will inevitably lead to a break-up. I think that this happens to a lot of young couples in love. This story teaches to live each moment to the fullest, and that you should love even if you know that it will not last. The narrator and Kate do just that. They have a great dinner and end up kissing on the subway station, living in the moment, even though they know that they will end up apart. This story teaches the theme of love and living each moment to the fullest.

Blog 4: song

I chose the song "Loathing" from the Broadway play "Wicked" to represent the relationship between Blanche and Stanley. In the play the characters Glinda and Elphaba are roommates who do not get along at all. Blanche and Stanley become roommates who also hate and completely distrust each other. A few lines specifically reminded me of them:

GALINDA:
What is this feeling,
So sudden and new?

ELPHABA:
I felt the moment
I laid eyes on you;

GALINDA:
My pulse is rushing;

ELPHABA:
My head is reeling;

GALINDA:
My face is flushing;

BOTH:
What is this feeling?
Fervid as a flame,
Does it have a name?
Yes! Loathing
Unadulterated loathing

BOTH:
Let's just say - I loathe it all
Ev'ry little trait, however small
Makes my very flesh begin to crawl
With simple utter loathing
There's a strange exhilaration
In such total detestation
It's so pure, so strong!
Though I do admit it came on fast
Still I do believe that it can last
And I will be loathing
Loathing you
My whole life long!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5PST1V-dgk

Blog 3:A Streetcar Named Desire

I think that Vivian Leigh did a much better portrayal of Blanche than the other actress. She portrayed Blanch exactly how I imagined her, in looks, mannerisms, and the way she delivered her lines. She clearly portrays Blanche in terms of the quote by Tennessee Williams. Vivian Leigh spoke with a sense of hysteria as Tennessee Williams had described. Also, her actions were quick, which adds to her portrayal of hysteria. From that short clip it seems that Vivian Leigh did an excellent job portraying Blanche!

Blog #2

I chose Rudy Elmenhurst as a character that helped me to understand the difference between modernism and postmodernism. Rudy is a postmodernism character. In postmodernism there is no universal truth, and there is no real difference between right and wrong. In the "The Rudy Elmenhurst Story" Rudy only wanted to sleep with Christine. This is acceptable because it was the 60s and it fit in with the U.S. culture. Even at the end of the story, Rudy only wanted to sleep with Christine, "He sighed a lot, stretched his legs, cracked his knuckles. Finally, he cut me off, said, Hey, Jesus Christ, I've waited five years and you look like you've gotten past all your hangups." Clearly, he hasn't learned from the past, and yet he still did not have any real consequences even after being turned down again. He just went on with his life. Having no consequences for what might be considered wrong is very postmodern. In modernism there is a difference between right and wrong, and you are punished for what is considered wrong.