My father is a WWII buff. All things history are amazing, but he's had a fascination with this particular war as long as I can remember. Growing up in his home, I was exposed to a lot of information in various forms surrounding WWII. It has gotten into my blood and I'm curious to how the whole thing even happened.
I guess I came up with my own ideas about Anne Frank, as well. I knew she was a Jew. I knew she kept a journal. I knew she was in hiding. I had my own concepts of how the journal and the hiding happened and I was WRONG! For some reason I had it in my head that she hid in a closet in someone's home. I thought she wrote on newspaper or something. After reading The Diary of Anne Frank, I realize how much preparation went into securing a safe hiding place not just for Anne, but her whole family, another family, and an additional Jewish man.
More than clarifying the conditions, my eyes were opened to the questions and insecurities of a pre-teen. I remember feeling that way and also not enjoying those years of growing up. It also brought me to confront reality a little more as I have two young girls that will one day be those ages...and that it really isn't that far in the future.
Reading her journal did not awaken new understandings of the war or Jews or anything dealing with WWII. I can recommend other historical fiction novels for that. It did, however, remind me of things I need to be careful about and instruct my children. It has raised a few questions and discussions I have since had with my husband regarding the rearing and raising of two darling little girls. There is so much to contemplate as a parent and I believe reading the frank words of our girl Anne can help parents realize that education and information will always find it's way into the minds of our children...we just need to ensure that the correct information is given at the right time and in the right situations, but that we also can't arrange it by arbitrary means or we might be too late.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Things Fall Apart, No Matter What
Can you fight destiny or fate? Can you reconfigure the way your life will ultimately play out? Okonkwo attempts to overcome the fates and the history his father left him. From young to middle-aged, Okonkwo strives in his efforts to be seen as the ultimate provider and warrior. However, in the end, he struggles to conform to the changes his tribe makes with the involvement of the white man. No matter how much he struggled and pushed for success, he ended no better, truly, than his father.
In general, people face the cycle of success and failure. The true measure of humanity is not in how long a success survives, but how that individual copes throughout both bounty and famine. Adjusting and surviving and striving through all walks of life are a better measure than only in times of trial or in times of plenty.
In general, people face the cycle of success and failure. The true measure of humanity is not in how long a success survives, but how that individual copes throughout both bounty and famine. Adjusting and surviving and striving through all walks of life are a better measure than only in times of trial or in times of plenty.
Friday, March 5, 2010
The Awakening
Two other characters from different stories are reminiscent of Edna in Kate Chopin's The Awakening. Both Nora from Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House" as well as Frances from Dirty Dancing are apparent in the persona of Edna: women who are awakening to their own powers and selves.
Marriage is such a serious commitment that I have always viewed it with great reverence. I have often worried about people getting married at very young ages. Moreso than the age, however, it is the lack of real experience in life and love. Most teenagers believe they have experienced love when they have their first boyfriend/girlfriend. However, in most cases, this is only infatuation and ends in a turbulent breakup. It is not until an individual gains life experience through living on her own and discovering how much is required of her to provide for her own happiness. Happiness is neither found nor discovered solely in the relationship with another being. It comes from within and emanates outwardly, affecting the relationships in which she develops.
Chopin's character Edna has not experienced enough of life before marriage. She has remained submissive and unthinking from her father's home to that of her husband. Thus, when she begins choosing for herself, she finds herself unsatisfied with what has been given to her. Her husband is wealthly and in good society. On the surface, there appears to be a lack of what would cause unhappiness and complacency. However, things cannot make a person happy and once Edna has experienced the accomplishment of learning to swim, she seeks other opportunities to find that same self-worth and adoration. She affixes her attentions to Robert but when he is not near, she allows others to fulfill her needs; even as much as finding a stranger's look to be almost intoxicating.
Marriage is such a serious commitment that I have always viewed it with great reverence. I have often worried about people getting married at very young ages. Moreso than the age, however, it is the lack of real experience in life and love. Most teenagers believe they have experienced love when they have their first boyfriend/girlfriend. However, in most cases, this is only infatuation and ends in a turbulent breakup. It is not until an individual gains life experience through living on her own and discovering how much is required of her to provide for her own happiness. Happiness is neither found nor discovered solely in the relationship with another being. It comes from within and emanates outwardly, affecting the relationships in which she develops.
Chopin's character Edna has not experienced enough of life before marriage. She has remained submissive and unthinking from her father's home to that of her husband. Thus, when she begins choosing for herself, she finds herself unsatisfied with what has been given to her. Her husband is wealthly and in good society. On the surface, there appears to be a lack of what would cause unhappiness and complacency. However, things cannot make a person happy and once Edna has experienced the accomplishment of learning to swim, she seeks other opportunities to find that same self-worth and adoration. She affixes her attentions to Robert but when he is not near, she allows others to fulfill her needs; even as much as finding a stranger's look to be almost intoxicating.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tidy Packages
Typically, I get really annoyed at writers who seem to tie everything up in perfect packages by the end of the story. I just don't think that life happens that way and reject authors who, by doing this, reject reality and make it seem like they just didn't know how to end a story. In this respect, Alexandre Dumas does not give a perfect ending to the story, but rather, resolves enough of the goals of his main character to accomplish the purpose of the story without it feeling undone in the end. Of course, after nearly 1500 pages, it would have to have time to develop and complete the cycles presented at the beginning.
In finishing this novel, I have probably 5 different thesis ideas. I'll have to store those away so I have something to give a dissertation about when I get the chance to go back for my masters.
In finishing this novel, I have probably 5 different thesis ideas. I'll have to store those away so I have something to give a dissertation about when I get the chance to go back for my masters.
Monday, March 1, 2010
The Count and Counting
In case I forget about this important thought...
There is a moment when the Count says "mysteriously", "One!" I have about one hundred pages left and I haven't seen any further counting from the Count. Presently, it is evoking the way "The Count" from Sesame Street counts. I will be happy to have the answer to my question. I'm curious to see if I am correct in my assumptions that he is calculating how many reparations he has completed. As of yet, no further indication is given.
I'm really enjoying this novel. In the first few hundred pages I was wondering about vengeance and how such a tale has continued to have such popularity throughout time. Assuredly, it is more important to finish reading the novel to understand that it is not a tale of complete vengeance, but rather the way those who do not repent easily fall into their own vices to eventually bring sorrow upon themselves. It's more the saying of "what goes around, comes around."
I adore the figures of Morrel's daughter Julie and her husband Emmanuel Herbaut. In a time of economic turmoil and our own strivings to get out of debt and own our home, these characters may be very sideline types, but they are heroes in their own right. More people need to evaluate who they should be emmulating: the Danglers and Villeforts or the Herbauts. Truly, we would solve such world crises if individuals found satisfaction in being able to fulfill their true needs instead of trying to create a world of unsatisfiable wants.
There is a moment when the Count says "mysteriously", "One!" I have about one hundred pages left and I haven't seen any further counting from the Count. Presently, it is evoking the way "The Count" from Sesame Street counts. I will be happy to have the answer to my question. I'm curious to see if I am correct in my assumptions that he is calculating how many reparations he has completed. As of yet, no further indication is given.
I'm really enjoying this novel. In the first few hundred pages I was wondering about vengeance and how such a tale has continued to have such popularity throughout time. Assuredly, it is more important to finish reading the novel to understand that it is not a tale of complete vengeance, but rather the way those who do not repent easily fall into their own vices to eventually bring sorrow upon themselves. It's more the saying of "what goes around, comes around."
I adore the figures of Morrel's daughter Julie and her husband Emmanuel Herbaut. In a time of economic turmoil and our own strivings to get out of debt and own our home, these characters may be very sideline types, but they are heroes in their own right. More people need to evaluate who they should be emmulating: the Danglers and Villeforts or the Herbauts. Truly, we would solve such world crises if individuals found satisfaction in being able to fulfill their true needs instead of trying to create a world of unsatisfiable wants.
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