Frankenstein ~ THE END

"'But soon,' he cried, with sad and solemn enthusiasm, 'I shall die, and what I now feel be no longer felt. Soon these burning miseries will be extinct. I shall ascend my funeral pile triumphantly, and exult in the agony of the torturing flames. The light of that conflagration will fade away; my ashes will be swept into the sea by the winds. My spirit will sleep in peace; or it it thinks, it will not surely think thus. Farewell'" (page 166).

I found to be somewhat surprising and somewhat expected. I expected for Victor Frankenstein to die in the end, and I figured the monster would see him again. However, I did not expect the reaction from the monster to be how it was. The monster was sad and regretful of how he treated his creator. I was expecting the monster to be glad that he had finally achieved what he had set out to do. He wanted revenge on his creator. He wanted him to suffer all the feelings of abandonment, isolation, and grief that he had experienced. The monster killed those close to him who he loved, and he finally killed Frankenstein. I was expecting the monster to find satisfaction at his success and revenge. However, he is grieving over the death of Victor Frankenstein instead. The ending shows the varied thoughts and feelings of the creature/monster throughout the book; he appears to be one way, but in reality he is often the opposite.

Frankenstein ~ creature...monster

"Man! you may hate; but beware! Your hours will pass in dread and misery, and soon the bolt will fall which must ravish from you your happiness forever. Are you to be happy, while I grovel in the intensity of my wretchedness? You can blast my other passions; but revenge remains - revenge, henceforth dearer than light or food! I may die; but first you, my tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery" (page 123).

This was about the point that I decided to start referring to him as a monster instead of a creature. Originally, I believed him to be just a misunderstood creation. He was judged as a monster without ever knowing him; therefore, I thought he should hardly be called a "monster" since he really was not a bad creature. However, the actions and motivations of the creature change, and I now believe him to be a monster. His motivations are now based on revenge and a hatred of humankind rather than just the initial frustration at being rejected. He seems to completely turn evil after Frankenstein refuses his demand for creating a mate. His change in motivation leads to the change in his "name." He speaks and acts now out of hatred and vengeance; thus, I believe he should now be called a monster instead of being given the title of "creature" out of courtesy.

Frankenstein ~ dramatic irony

"...I passed an hour in this state of mind, when suddenly I reflected how fearful the combat which I momentarily expected would be to my wife, and I earnestly intreated her to retire, resolving not to join her until I had obtained some knowledge as to the situation of my enemy" (page 144).

When I first read this, I could not understand how the thought did not even cross Victor Frankenstein's mind that the monster might go after Elizabeth. As soon as the monster originally said "I will be with you on your wedding night," I immediately assumed and feared he was going to kill Elizabeth after their wedding. He was going to take the love of Frankenstein's life away from him just like Frankenstein refused to create a mate for the monster. The scene seemed obvious in my mind; however, Frankenstein assumed he would come after himself. Clearly the reader had information Frankenstein did not, or else the reader was just more capable of piecing together the clues. It seemed to occur like the typical dramatic situation: the creature waits upstairs in the dark room, the monster is always in the basement, the character is never really alone when they think they are, if they feel like they are being watched then they really are it is not just a feeling, the shadow in the distance or the corner is indeed after you, if the creature has red eyes it is evil just trust me...etc. It was one of those scenes where the reader only wishes they could tip the character about what is really waiting upstairs. Unfortunately, it was too late by the time this dramatic situation unfolded and the monster successfully murdered Elizabeth. ='(

Frankenstein ~ theme ~ justice

"You must create a female for me, with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for my being. This you alone can do; and I demand it of you as a right which you must not refuse to concede" (page 104).

In this passage, the creature tries to reason with Victor Frankenstein and justify a way for him to make up for what he has done. He believes Frankenstein is to blame for how the creature turned out. Any evil actions the creature has done are a result of how Frankenstein created him; therefore, the monster believes Frankenstein needs to make up for creating him. He created him in a way that all man kind rejects and refuses to accept. The creature tries to achieve justice for this inadequate creation by stating that it is Frankenstein must make him a mate similar to himself. He believes it is only fair that he too be given a companion in the world. Frankenstein is the only person capable of granting him this request, and he is responsible for creating him in a way destined for rejection. Therefore, the creature tries to achieve justice with Frankenstein by demanding that he creates a mate for him.

Frankenstein ~ theme ~ education/knowledge

"They did not appear rich, but they were contented and happy; their feelings were serene and peaceful, while mine became every day more tumultuous. Increase in knowledge only discovered to me more clearly what a wretched outcast I was. I cherished hope, it is true; but it vanished when I beheld my person reflected in water, or my shadow in the moonshine, even as that frail image and that inconstant shade" (page 93).

This passage displays how gaining knowledge only makes the creature feel like more of an outcast. He watches the De Lacey family for almost a year in order to learn their language and culture. He reasons that by learning their language he will be able to approach them and ease their fear. However, as he watches the family to learn how they interact with one another, he also learns the emotions that go along with humanity. He learns of sadness, happiness, and love. He watches how the family all cares for one another and accepts everyone; they take in those that stop by their house for dinner and feed them. Unfortunately, this knowledge and realization that he is different from them only makes him feel more alone in the world. There is no one like him, and no one is even willing to look at him without fear. He has never known love or happiness to be shown toward him, and he learns that he will never be able to. This knowledge emphasizes his feelings of solitude and alienation which drive him into becoming an angry and revengeful fiend.

Frankenstein ~ reunited

"Remember, that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed. Everywhere I see bliss, from which I alone am irrevocably excluded. I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend. Make me happy, and I shall again be virtuous" (page 69).

Once again creature and creator are reunited...aww...well...not exactly... Victor Frankenstein believes he has created a monster and murderer. He fears for his life as the creature approaches, and he threatens and supposes the idea of killing his creation. However, we soon discover that maybe the creature is not as evil as he appears. One thing I found very surprising was that the creature can talk, not just mumble sounds. He approaches Frankenstein and starts speaking in eloquently spoken dialect...definitely not what I was expecting. He also begs Frankenstein to listen to his side of the story; he wants to explain to him that he is not an evil creature. When Frankenstein first spotted him in the mountains, my first thought was that he was going to hurt or to kill him. To my surprise, he spoke and tried to reason and to prove his innocence. This made me wonder how the creature is able to speak so fluently. I have a theory...it's probably wrong...but I cannot help but wonder if maybe part of the creature's brain is recovering from his past life. Frankenstein formed him from the bodies of the dead. The creature describes how his sense at first did not work, but over time they developed. Could this also work with his brain? Is it possible he is remembering parts of his past life from who ever he was before? ...or maybe I'm just not supposed to think this far into it all...

Frankenstein ~ theme ~ alienation/solitude

"Winter, spring, and summer passed away during my labours; but I did not watch the blossom or the expanding leaves - sights which before always yielded me supreme delight - so deeply was I engrossed in my occupation...Every night I was oppressed by a slow fever, and I became nervous to a most painful degree; the fall of a leaf startled me, and I shunned my fellow creatures as if I had been guilty of a crime" (page 34).

Throughout the book, there are various examples of alienation or characters seeking solitude. In the beginning, Robert Walton feels alone on the ship. He has been traveling for a while and no one on board seems to be friend-worthy of him; he writes letters to his sister showing his loneliness and longing for a friend. After he meets Victor Frankenstein, we also learn of Frankenstein's alienation. He isolates himself from the rest of the world as he works on his creation. Frankenstein also frequently seeks to be alone after his creature is loose. He takes his time when traveling home, and he leaves his home often to go enjoy the open mountains. In addition, while Frankenstein is away studying, his family relationship has been somewhat ruined by his absence. This passage displays Frankenstein's obsession with scientific studies to the point where he goes slightly insane from isolation and fear.

Frankenstein ~ frame story

"But I consented to listen, and seating myself by the fire which my odious companion had lighted, he thus began his tale" (page 70).

The story begins in the form of a letter; the entire plot takes place while Robert Walton is writing to his sister. He writes down Victor Frankenstein's story within the letter. Then, within Frankenstein's story...within the letter...the creature tells his own story to Frankenstein. It's a frame story within a frame story. These frame stories are all telling the story of one of the characters. The creature tells about what he has been doing since he was created and abandoned by Frankenstein. Victor Frankenstein tell about how he ended up in the middle of the frozen water and why he is traumatized. All of this is being written down in a letter by Robert Walton. This could all be very confusing if it's not kept straight. However, the frame stories are ways to reveal details about each of the characters and their own unique experiences.

Frankenstein ~ situational irony

"I had worked for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heard. Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of the room, and continued a long time traversing my bedchamber, unable to compose my mind to sleep" (page 35).

Well...I pictured this scene going differently in my head...I had always thought of the moment Frankenstein created his creature as being the stereotypical mad scientist scene. I pictured him giving an evil laugh as this long awaited moment of his monster's creation took place. After spending two years working on the single task of creating life, he had finally achieved his goal. However, he was not proud of his work as I expected him to be. He was disgusted, ashamed, and scared. Immediately, he regretted what he had done and ran away. He could not even face the being that he himself had given life to. I found this moment to be completely ironic. He had devoted his whole childhood and education toward furthering his education of science. Finally, he had achieved the very thing he had worked so hard to do, yet right away he realized his wrong doing. IT'S ALIVE...though he immediately wishes it never had been.

Frankenstein ~ exposition

"To Mrs. Saville, England. St. Petersburgh, Dec. 11th, 17--..." (page 1).

The book begins with a series of letters from Robert Walton to his sister Mrs. Saville. Immediately, these letters make the reader aware of the date and location of the writer. Walton tells of his quest to the north pole, his loneliness, and a peculiar even that occurs. Walton comes across a man on the frozen water, takes him aboard, cares for him, and befriends him. This is how the story begins. All of the letters at the beginning of the book are to create the exposition and to prepare the reader for the coming story. It introduces the setting and how Walton stumbled upon Victor Frankenstein - the man who's story this really is. The letters allow for an indirect description of the setting and characters; it describes the situation in the form of a letter rather than directly stating specific details and description of the characters and setting.

The Kite Runner ~ redemption

"It was only a smile, nothing more. It didn't make everything all right. It didn't make anything all right. Only a smile. A tiny thing. A leaf in the woods, shaking in the wake of a startled bird's flight. But I'll take it. With open arms. Because when spring comes, it melts the snow one flake at a time, and maybe I just witnessed the first flake melting" (page 371).

This ending passage of the book presents a sense of hope. Hope is something that has often been missing throughout the story. It shows a moment of redemption when Amir finally seems to have achieved inner peace again. He has spent the whole book trying to redeem himself after letting down Hassan all those years ago. Just a simple smile from Sohrab has given Amir new hope for a happy future. The obvious theme of the book is redemption. Being able to care for and to make Hassan's son happy is Amir's way of making up for his lack of loyalty to Hassan in their childhood. The ending of the book is not necessarily happy, but it is redeeming. A book filled with so much sadness is finally brought to a close with new hope.

The Kite Runner ~ epanalepsis

"And so it was that, about a week later, we crossed a strip of warm, black tarmac and I brought Hassan's son from Afghanistan to America, lifting him from the certainty of turmoil and dropping him in a turmoil of uncertainty" (page 356).

This sentence repeats turmoil making the beginning and ending of the phrase opposites. In Afghanistan, Sohrab lived a life of turmoil and chaos. By remaining in that life, he was sure to continue living in chaos. America presented the opportunity for a new life that was free of all the problems of Afghanistan. Sohrab would be freed from the Taliban and the land where his parents were killed. However, his life in America was uncertain. There was no way of knowing what lied ahead there or what path his life would take. He would be leaving the certainty of turmoil and entering a turmoil of uncertainty. At first, this sentence seems contradicting, but it is simply reversed in meaning. This reversal emphasizes the difference between Afghanistan and America. The two places are significantly different and present two diverse lifestyles.

The Kite Runner ~ theme

"What was so funny was that, for the first time since the winter of 1975, I felt at peace...I hadn't been happy and I hadn't felt better, not at all. But I did now. My body was broken - just how badly I wouldn't find out until later - but I felt healed. Healed at last. I laughed" (page 289).

This passage shows the moment when Amir finally begins to feel at peace. A major theme of this book is redemption, and this passage displays the beginning of it. Amir feels responsible for what Assef did to Hassan many years ago. He regrets not doing anything to help him and carries that guilt with him throughout his life. After fighting with Assef many years later and standing up to his childhood fears, he feels relieved that he has been able to defend Hassan's son, Sohrab. This moment is a bit ironic too because at the time Amir is physically broken, but he feels mentally strong now and at peace. At the time in his life when his body is so broken, he feels healed. This passage displays an ironic and vital theme of the book. Redemption is the theme that drives the plot to continue.

The Kite Runner ~ plot

"And what Rahim Khan revealed to me changed things. Made me see how my entire life, long before the winter of 1975, dating back to when that singing Hazara woman was still nursing me, had been a cycle of lies, betrayals, and secrets. There is a way to be good again, he'd said. A way to end the cycle. With a little boy. An orphan. Hassan's son. Somewhere in Kabul" (page 227).

The structure throughout the entire book is a continuous cycle. The plot follows a repeating series of rises and falls. It seems to cycle between potentially happy or peaceful moments and depressing or action-filled moments. Amir and Hassan win the kite fight, and Hassan catches the fallen blue kite. However, he is then tragically beaten and raped while Amir does not attempt to help. Later, Amir and Baba travel to America and Amir marries Soraya; however, Baba dies of cancer. Amir and Soraya then try to have a baby, but for some unknown reason they are unable to. Amir travels back to Pakistan to see Hassan and finds out they are in fact brothers; he also learns Sohrab is his half-nephew. Then, he hears news that Hassan and his wife were shot and killed by the Taliban. Amir finds Sohrab only to learn that he has to fight Assef. He then decides to adopt Sohrab, finds out he is unable to, and Sohrab tries to commit suicide. The story is on a perpetual happy-sad roller coaster. The plot is a series of conflicts and a continuing cycle of "lies, betrayals, and secrets." The benefit of this type of plot is that it keeps the reader constantly interested in finding out what will happen next. The unexpected twists in this story make it fascinating and mysterious.

The Kite Runner ~ diction

"And again, something in his bottomless black eyes hinted at an unspoken secret between us. Except now I knew he knew. My suspicions had been right all those years. He knew about Assef, the kite, the money, the watch with the lightning bolt hands. He had always known. Come. There is a way to be good again, Rahim Khan had said on the phone just before hanging up. Said it in passing, almost as an afterthought. A way to be good again" (page 192).

This passage presents a great example of diction. Rahim Khan's word choice while on the phone was very simple, yet Amir knew it held a deeper meaning. The short phrase "A way to be good again" said just before hanging up led Amir to the conclusion that Rahim Khan knew all about Hassan and his childhood. He chose to say those few words to inspire Amir to travel to Pakistan in search of redemption. This diction sparked Amir's curiosity. Ever since the tragic incident in his childhood with Hassan, he had been searching for a source of redemption. Rahim Khan's hint toward redemption causes the rest of the story to occur; Amir travels to Pakistan and eventually overcomes his fear of Assef in order to find peace of mind. He was able to overcome his great childhood fear of Assef which initially led to the need for redemption. The diction in this short passage is vital to the progression of the plot; it puts Amir in the right mindset to carry him through the rest of the plot.

The Kite Runner ~ motif

"Blood is a powerful thing" (page 188).

Throughout the first half of the book, blood seems to be a recurring idea. Amir and Hassan have different blood which creates the separation between society and Hassan. The are from two different heritages and this causes tension with how the townspeople view people like Hassan. Kite fighting, an enjoyable hobby shared by both Amir and Hassan, causes their hands to bleed from the string. This idea is repeated a few times. Hassan is bleeding after he is attacked in the alley. On the hill, Amir starts throwing pomegranates at Hassan. These pomegranates are then compared to blood dripping down Hassan's face. Later, when Amir and Soraya are engaged, they stress the importance of bloodlines and having good family history. Finally, bloodlines are again mentioned when they are discussing the possibility of adoption. They decide it is best not to adopt because then they would have unknown blood in the family. This motif adds to the somber tone of the story. The story takes on a dark and saddened air, and the constant repetition of blood emphasizes this tone.

The Kite Runner ~ regret

"I finally had what I'd wanted all those years. Except now that I had it, I felt as empty as this unkempt pool I was dangling my legs into" (page 85).

Amir often feels responsible for what happened to Hassan. He regrets not standing up for his best friend, and he regrets taking advantage of Hassan's loyalty to him. Amir stood by and did nothing the whole time Hassan was being attacked in the alley by Assef and his gang. He could have done something to stop them or tried to help, but he was too scared and ran. The rest of this story seems to be motivated by this event early-on in the book. Although Amir has finally earned the attention of his father, he does not deserve it and cannot enjoy it. Later in the book, Amir marries a woman named Soraya. She has a regretful past and admits it to Amir before their wedding. However, Amir still agrees to marry her. "But I think a big part of the reason I didn't care about Soraya's past was that I had one of my own. I knew all about regret" (page 180). Amir bears the burden of regret for the rest of his life. He regrets his actions, or lack thereof, and is forever trying to forget and redeem his inner peace. Throughout the rest of the story, he is always reminded of his decision to do nothing and that regret keeps him going.

The Kite Runner ~ motivation

"Then a smile played on my father's lips. He opened his arms. I put the kite down and walked into his thick hairy arms. I buried my face in the warmth of his chest and wept. Baba held me close to him, rocking me back and forth. In his arms, I forgot what I'd done. And that was good" (page 79).

Amir's motivation for ever entering the kite fight was to make his father proud of him. He had always been jealous of Hassan and Baba's love for him. Baba was his father, and Amir did not like sharing him with Hassan. He thought Hassan was the perfect son and felt like he could never live up to his father's expectations. Amir always tried to please his father, but he was never fully satisfied with him. In Amir's opinion, this kite competition was a way of earning his father's love. Amir was willing to do anything in order to make his father proud and all he could think about was bringing him the last fallen kite - the blue kite that had been the reason for Hassan's terrible fate. Amir watched the horror being done to his childhood friend and did nothing; he even thought about the kite instead of his best friend. He checked to see if the kite was torn before even checking to see if Hassan was okay. Amir's motivations were very self-centered. He acted out of jealousy and fear; he wanted to be his father's favorite and was too scared to stand up for Hassan in the alley. This event stays forever ingrained in Amir's mind.

The Kite Runner ~ symbol

"Hassan was standing at the blind end of the alley in a defiant stance: fists curled, legs slightly apart. Behind him, sitting on piles of scrap and rubble, was the blue kite. My key to Baba's heart" (page 71).

Throughout the story, the kite is a symbol. It is not just a symbol of one thing though; it represents many different things. The kite is a symbol for the good times Amir and Hassan used to spend together flying kites as children. It is Amir's "key to Baba's heart" because with it he hoped to gain Baba's attention and make him proud. It is a symbol for achievement at winning the kite fights and running the last fallen kite. However, it is also a symbol and reminder of Amir's weakness. Amir failed to come to Hassan's aide when he needed him most. Hassan was always loyal to Amir no matter what the cost; he proved his loyalty in the alley by refusing to give up the kite and accepting whatever Assef would do to him. Amir watched his childhood friend be beaten and raped in an alley and did absolutely nothing about it. He let Assef and his gang get away with it; he did not attempt to get help or even to console Hassan after it. He took the much desired kite without a simple word to Hassan. The kite serves as a symbol and constant reminder that Amir failed to help his friend, his brother. Instead, he watched in fear.

The Kite Runner ~ simile

"I can still see Hassan up on that tree, sunlight flickering through the leaves on his almost perfectly round face, a face like a Chinese doll chiseled from hardwood: his flat, broad nose and slanting, narrow eyes like bamboo leaves, eyes that looked, depending on the light, gold, green, even sapphire...and the cleft lip, just left of midline, where the Chinese doll maker's instrument may have slipped, or perhaps he had simply grown tired and careless" (page 3).

Shortly after the book begins, the character Hassan is introduced. Amir, the narrator, speaks admiringly about him and compares his features to a Chinese doll. This description creates the sense that Hassan was carefully created perfectly in every aspect; his only flaw seems to be a cleft lip. Throughout further chapters in the book, Amir continues to speak favorably of Hassan. He seems perfect in every way, even to the point where Amir is jealous of him. Although Amir has always been given whatever he desired, he still envies Hassan. This is even a little ironic because Hassan is the son of Baba's servant, and he is generally looked down upon by society. The purpose and significance of this repeated simile is to show Amir's admiration and jealousy for Hassan. Hassan is strong, intelligent (despite his lack of education), and above all - loyal. Comparing him to a chiseled Chinese doll emphasizes and creates a mental image of his perfect character. He is willing to do anything, even risk his life or put himself in danger's way, for Amir...and he does...

"Death of a Salesman"

Throughout the play, Willy is a confusing and complicated character. At first, he appears simply insane. He is always talking to himself and quickly changing moods and opinions in the blink of an eye. On one page, he is talking about how much he loves their car. "Chevrolet, Linda, is the greatest car ever built" (p. 1561). However, on the next page Willy completely changes his mind saying, "I'm not going to pay that man! That goddam Chevrolet, they ought to prohibit the manufacture of that car!" (page 1562). Then, as the play continued, I began to think maybe Willy was schizophrenic. He commonly talks to characters who do not exist; he frequently talks to his brother Ben who we know to be dead. He sees and talks to people who are not there; they are only figments of his imagination. However, we later find out that these are actually memories belonging to Willy. They are flashbacks rather than hallucinations. Willy seems to have confused his life to a point where he does not even know what is real or right. He is so focused on achieving the american dream that he forgets and cannot accept what is actually reality. This eventually leads to his tragic death. Because he cannot maintain a sense of calmness or reality, he ends up killing himself.

"Death of a Salesman" p. 119 #4

Dramatic suspense is created through Willy's flashbacks. The audience often does not have information that some of the characters do. Throughout the beginning of the play, Biff and Willy seem to have some hidden conflict between them that no one knows about. They both love each other, but there seems to be unexplained tension between them all the time. At some points, they even seem like they are hiding something from everyone else. Linda mentions a woman and Biff immediately responds, "(sharply but contained) What woman?...Nothing. Go ahead." (p. 1577). Linda also seems to be withholding information from the others about Willy. Biff was surprised to show up and the house and see Willy in the state that he was. In addition, Linda did not tell anyone that Willy had been attempting to kill himself until later in the play. The flashbacks seem to seep through Willy's memory into the play to a point where it is difficult to differentiate between what is real and what is past or simply just an idea. Characters like Ben, who is revealed to be dead, reappear throughout the play as Willy continues to talk to them. These flashbacks along with characters not revealing everything they know creates suspense. The audience learns the details of the story piece by piece which creates an unknown sense of suspicion to find the truth in the play.

"Death of a Salesman" p. 1119 #2

This play is a tragedy; it is important that the reader knows this in order to understand the story. Therefore, the play starts off by letting the audience know it is a tragedy from the minute the reader first looks at the title. The title "The Death of a Salesman" automatically tells the reader that this play is going to involve or center around a death, which would most likely make the story a tragedy. As the story continues, it is important to understand that the play is about the downfall of a man trying to live the american dream. Willy is caught up in a world that views everything as perfect and, in his opinion, the ideal life. He is unable to accept his family's situation and that life is not going according to plan. He repeatedly fails to listen or to accept that things are not as he wishes they were. For example, Biff, Willy's idea of a perfect son who lives a perfect life, tries to tell Willy that he has been unsuccessful in life. He is unable to keep a job and cannot get an interview with his old boss. However, Willy assumes that Biff got the job and refuses to acknowledge that Biff is telling him otherwise. Even after Biff repeatedly reminds him, they argue, and Biff says he is leaving, Willy still asks, "You're not going to see Oliver tomorrow?...He put his arms around you, and you've got no appointment?" (p. 1623). Willy refuses to accept the truth that exists outside his perspective of living the american dream.

"The Glass Menagerie" p. 1119 #7

The amount of time covered in the action of the play is unclear. The events of the play seem to occur very fast pace; however, dialogue hints at significant amounts of time passing. At the beginning of the play, the setting is described as "Time: Now and the Past" (scene 1, page 1235). This small detail is very important to the play. As the play unfolds, it is revealed that the story is all a part of Tom's memory. Therefore, time does not really play an important key in the events. Everything occurs as he remembers it and not necessarily how it actually occurred. As the play is being performed, the action seems rushed. For example, at the end of one scene Amanda is talking to Tom about bringing home someone from work for Laura to meet. Then, in the beginning of the next scene, Tom asks Laura if she remembers asking him to find a gentleman for Laura. This small detail leads the audience to believe that time has passed since they last had the discussion; however, it appears only lines apart in the progression of the play.

"The Glass Menagerie" p. 1119 #6

The various theatrical components of the sets help to reinforce the meanings and contribute to the emotional effects of the play. The picture of the father is always grinning from the living room wall. "It is the face of a very handsome young man in a dough-boy's First World War cap. He is gallantly smiling, ineluctably smiling, as if to say, 'I will be smiling forever'" (scene 1, page 1234). Throughout the play, this picture is the only presence of the father. However, it is symbolic of his constant influence on the family. After Tom returns from the theatre, he tells Laura of Malvolio the Magician. His trick was to escape from a nailed-up coffin without removing one nail. The stage direction that follows is for the father's grinning photograph to light up. The irony of this question is made apparent through the stage directions. Without all the theatrical components of this play, much of the meaning and irony would be lost.

"The Glass Menagerie" p. 1119 #1

This play combines a variety of realistic and nonrealistic conventions. The characters seem to be mostly realistic in a sense that the family's situation is possible in real life; a mother, son, and crippled daughter could have been abandoned by their father. Laura is realistic because her handicap has left her shy and self-conscious. However, her actions are sometimes slightly nonrealistic when she overreacts to certain situations. For example, she attended one day of business college, but she was able to trick her mother for a long time that she was still attending. "The first time we gave a speed-test, she broke down completely - was sick at the stomach and almost had to be carried into the wash-room! After that morning she never showed up any more. We phoned the house buy never got any answer" (scene 2, page 1242). The picture is nonrealistic. It is always proudly displayed in the home of the family he left; one would think he would be forgotten and never spoken of again due to the pain at being abandoned. However, his grinning picture is ironically seen throughout the play. The time of the play is also nonrealistic. It cannot be set in a certain time period because the whole play is told as Tom's memory. This also means that there is a biased narrator who was not even present in all of the "memory" scenes of the play. The entire play may or may not be factually true; it all simply occurs as Tom perceived it to be.

The End...?

As the play nears an end, there is one thing we know for sure - it will not end well. This play is a tragedy which automatically tells us it will not have a happy ending. I suspect it will most likely involve the deaths of many of the characters. I do not know for sure, but I would guess that Desdemona will end up dead in the end. She even mentions this possibility to Emilia, "All's one. Good faith, how foolish are our minds! If I do die before thee, prithee shroud me in one of those same sheets" (IV.iii.22-23). I also think Cassio will die because Iago has made him so deeply involved in his evil plan. Since it is a tragedy, I think it is possible that Othello might also die. Whether he is killed by someone or he takes his own life after discovering the truth about Desdemona's innocence, I think he will probably die in the end. There may be others and some of these characters may survive, but there is only one way to know for sure...finish Act V.

p. 1119 #2

Shakespeare's play Othello is a tragedy. A tragedy is a type of drama which depicts the causally related events that lead to the downfall and suffering of the protagonist, a person of unusual moral or intellectual stature or outstanding abilities. The character Othello is the protagonist of this play. Throughout the story, various characters and events move the plot along as it nears a tragic ending. Iago's evil plot slowly unfolds and creates even more drama as the other characters fall into his plan. "I have rubbed this young quat almost to the sense, and he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio, or Cassio him, or each do kill the other, every way makes my gain" (V.i. 11-14). Othello is the victim of Iago's evil plan, and many of the other characters get in his way and also fall as victims. The ending of this play can be foreshadowed by the knowledge that it is a tragedy. Tragedies usually never have happy endings or happily-ever-afters. The endings usually involve the death or one or more characters; the protagonist often dies or is left unhappy in the end. It is only a matter of time before this play comes to a tragic ending.

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The various theatrical components of Othello reinforce the meanings and contribute to the emotional effects of the play. In some scenes, characters may be speaking, but they are not speaking to the other characters on stage. Iago speaks directly to the audience many times throughout the play and informs them of his evil plan. During one scene of the play, Othello is speaking and watching a conversation between Iago, Cassio, and Bianca. However, Othello is unable to hear them and vice versa. The stage directions in this scene are important in order to understand the situation and what is going on. While watching them and misinterpreting their conversation, Othello says, "Now he tells how she plucked him to my chamber. Oh, I see that nose of yours, but not that dog I shall throw it to" (IV.i.135-136). After seeing Cassio talk about Bianca, but believing it was about Desdemona, Othello becomes extremely angry and wishes to kill Cassio and Desdemona. The stage directions in this scene create a very emotional and dramatic situation that would not be understood without them.

Reflective Analysis

As Act I of Othello begins, various characters are introduced as the plot begins to develop. One character who seems to have a fairly minor part is Brabantio. However, his character seems to be an interesting part to get the plot moving. His daughter, Desdemona, sneaks off in the night to marry Othello. This sparks the rest of the story. However, I found Brabantio's varied actions to be a bit odd. His initial reaction to Othello's marriage to Desdemona is that Othello forced her into it with fear, magic, or some form against her will. However, he then switches from believing his daughter to be a loyal and respectable woman to questioning her intentions. After speaking to the Duke, Brabantio gives some advice to Othello, "Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. She has deceived her father, and may thee" (I.ii.288-290). This may also be foreshadowing future events in the story.

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The dramatic suspense of Othello is revealed as the storyline unfolds and various unexpected events occur. Various individual characters have knowledge that the others, including the audience at times, do not possess. Cassio's plan is revealed to the audience piece by piece; however, it still remains a mystery to the other characters. Cassio plans to use Roderigo to get what he wants; he is going to use Roderigo to get rid of Othello. Therefore, Roderigo would get Desdemona, and Cassio would get his job as captain. Cassio devises a plan, "But partly led to diet my revenge for that I do suspect the lusty Moor hath leaped into my seat. The thought whereof doth like a poisonous mineral gnaw my inwards, and nothing can or shall content my soul till I am evened with him, wife for wife" (II.i.273-278). The other characters of the story are not aware of Cassio's plot which adds suspense. Since no one knows of his secret plan to get rid of Othello, the dramatic effect of the story intensifies.

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Since the beginning of Shakespeare's Othello, one theme has been obvious. The story is based around the theme of jealousy. Iago is jealous of the power belonging to Cassio and Othello. Othello was appointed captain, Cassio was lieutenant, and Iago was the third officer. "But he, sir, had the election. And I, of whom his eyes had seen the proof at Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds Christian and heathen, must be beleed and calmed by debitor and creditor. This countercaster, he, in good time, must his Lieutenant be, and I - God bless the mark! - his Moorship's Ancient" (I.ii.28-33). Roderigo is jealous of Othello for winning the heart of the woman he loves, Desdemona. The heartbroken and envious Roderigo is lost and confused about if and how he should find revenge. Cassio takes advantage of this situation by using Roderigo's heartbreak as a means to attain his own desire. Roderigo wants Othello's wife, and Cassio want Othello's position. This theme of jealousy drives the plot and events in the story. It creates emotion and drama in the theatrical experience by making the storyline based off of and driven by a strong feeling of jealousy. The story well represents the reality of human concerns. Jealousy is a common emotion among people and making it a theme in Othello allows for the audience to understand and possibly relate to the events that occur.