Mao II- last chapters

I am surprised by how much sympathy Karen expresses for the individuals mourning the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.  DeLillo writes: “ Karen could go backwards into their lives, see them coming out of their houses and shanties, streams of people, then backwards even further, sleeping in their beds, hearing the morning call to prayer, coming out of their houses and meeting in some dusty square to match out of the slums together” (188).  Karen develops such a deep concern for these people and feels like she knows them personally. She feels she is right there with the mourners, experiencing the anguish and grief at the hands of death.  This perhaps demonstrates the power of a crowd’s influence on a person. Maybe Karen is particularly vulnerable to be swayed by crowds, indicated by this example and her involvement in the Moonie ceremonies. This is in contrast to Brita who maybe has the tendency to remain independent.  The conflict between individuality vs. mass identify is once again presented.  After she notices that Brita is completely emotionless and unattached from the pictures on the screen, Karen questions how some individuals can remain unscathed through times of pain. DeLillo writes, “If others saw these pictures, why is nothing changed, where are the local crowds, why do we still have names and addresses and keys?” (191) Really, this is legitimate question people ask when bad events occur. Because one person’s life is turned upside down, it is hard to comprehend that others are still perfectly okay. Since Karen is wondering this, it suggests that she is experiencing the sheer anguish with the masses, as if it were happening to her alone.

     I was also struck by the prisoner’s longing to write. “The only way to be in this world was to write himself there. His thoughts and words were dying. Let him write ten words and he would come into being again” (204). He seems to be very independent, identifying himself not from the masses, but through his own writing. He has to express himself to know he is alive. This is in contrast to those who merely follow the masses to form their identify through others.
 
      I know I probably missed important themes in this book that became lost in the dull dialogue, descriptions, etc.  Even though this was not an easy read, I still glad I read it.

Mao II- The Middle

What an overwhelming experience so far. Remember how last time I said that I am willing to give this book a chance? I really did and, sadly, I have decided I don’t much care for this book at all. I force myself to read it, but then derive no meaning from it.  DeLillo may have well just have thrown a whole bunch of words together and called it a story as far as I’m concerned. This negative outburst and my inability to comprehend this novel may be partly because I am just struggling to focus. It’s hard for me to sit down and read a book right now with all of my other homework and finals looming over my head. Perhaps this would be a better book for me to read while I did not have any other responsibilities and could concentrate more.

            What I can say though is that I am really glad some more background is finally revealed regarding Karen and her past. For a while there I saw barely any connection to the prologue.  The way Karen meets Scott is almost creepy, though. He just stumbles upon her while driving around at night and kind of taker her under his wing. It is nice, really..... but just kind of an unusual start to an unusual friendship. I do notice the theme of crowds vs. individuality coming across. Being lost in a crowd can be negative, as in Karen’s experience of becoming “programmed.” Although she became part of a mass group, she still feels completely isolated. Page 78 reveals these feelings as Karen reflects on being separated from her husband and missing the little things in life such as her parents birthdays. She seeks more freedom. This reminds me of page 88 where Scott talks about the masses of people walking the streets, trapped in their own monologue completely detached from everyone else. Although these masses of people are not actually alone, they might as well be.

Please excuse my rather simple and negative post. I just don’t know what to write about when I don't really understand much of what I am reading.

Mao II- ch.1-5

Similar to many other opinions that have been expressed, I too, have a problem with the author’s style of writing. But I will give this novel a chance before I immediately decide I dislike it.  I do wish DeLillo would have included a few more “he said” “she said” references to help me out. But it does make the story more authentic, especially in portraying how chaotic conversations can be. This is something Dr. Dyer alluded to in class.

Bill Gray is an interesting fellow. I can understand the pressure one would feel after having written such a successful book in the past. Now, he must feel he has to beat himself, essentially, by once again succeeding in producing a successful piece. I can also understand how publishing his novel will make him feel like he is completely exposed to the world. When I read literature I find myself failing to distinguish between the “speaker” and the “author.” I do know that they are often separated and distinguished. However, it is something I have to remind myself of sometimes. Even when they are separated, I feel like it is inevitable that some of the author’s personality, ideals, and ways of thinking are going to be exposed and revealed to the world. Maybe this is the way Bill feels and why he keeps his work to himself. He seems like a guy who likes his privacy.

On page 48 he reveals to Karen, “the deeper I become entangled in the process of getting a sentence right in its syllables and rhythms, the more I learn about myself.”  Writing used to be a big part of Bill’s identity.  However, he also states that now he has forgotten what it means to write and fails to see himself in his writing. In a sense Bill has psyched himself out. Perhaps he is struggling in his work because he can no longer identify or recognize himself.

Raymond Carver's "Cathedral"

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. Carver really did write in a “plain, simple, manner” as his introduction suggests. Although simple and straightforward, this story really surprised me; I kept waiting for a negative outcome that never came. This is probably because the narrator seems like he has so much contempt and irritation towards Robert. He is very inconsiderate, not wanting “the blind man” in his house and showing no sympathy for him after his wife’s death. I noticed that Robert’s actual name is not made known until pretty well into the story, forcing the reader to zone in on his blindness.

I found it sad that apparently the narrator has no friends, according to his wife. This may be because he appears to be incredibly intolerant and judgmental. However, when Robert arrives, the reader develops a new outlook on the narrator. For the most part, he is rather pleasant and even tends to their guest by buttering his bread at dinner and offering refreshments afterwards, (including marijuana.)Towards the end, the narrator becomes very compassionate and sympathetic to Robert by attempting to describe the essence of a cathedral.  What a change of heart.  This compassion is furthered when the narrator is willing to draw a cathedral, with Robert following his fingers. While the narrator is initially very weary and skeptical of Robert just because of his blindness, he learns to understand and better connect with him. He may enable Robert to better picture the essence of a cathedral, but Robert helps him to begin to look past stereotypes and petty differences. Really, Robert is the teacher here. The narrator is able to realize that some differences do not account for anything. I really like how the ending is full of hope and optimism for the narrator’s previously simple mind.

O'Connor and Roth

Good Country People-Flannery O’Connor

                This story is intriguing in how Hulga (Joy) initially believes she has a handle on the world, only for it to be proven otherwise.   Perhaps, she is aware of this all along and tries to hide her lack of control behind her rudeness and harshness. It is also interesting how she is so concerned with privacy and becomes easily annoyed with other individuals around her.

                When Pointer enters the picture, there is an interesting dynamic between his “beliefs” and Hulga’s.  Pointer claims that he is a Christian and that “you can never know when you’ll need the word of God.”  Hulga, on the other hand, is an atheist and believes she needs nothing other than common sense and her mind’s control. Even in the time they spend together she pities Pointer and sees herself as superior to him. In the end, obviously, Hulga’s belief system fails her as she is easily deceived. Whereas she initially perceives herself as a confident individual with superiority, it is clearly demonstrated otherwise.  This ties into the themes of some of the other short stories we have read, including Kerouac’s Big Sur. In both stories, the characters almost become overwhelmed with the complexity of the world, failing to keep up with the pace.  Whereas Jack stresses over the evolving, detailed society, Hulga flounders in her belief system and learns one cannot control every circumstance, or persons.  

 I also noted how this story dealt with the issue of hypocrisy.  Hulga writes,” You’re a Christian! You’re a fine Christian! You’re just like them all—say one thing and do another. You’re a perfect Christian.” I wonder what experiences O’Connor has had with Christians that influenced her to add this line. It’s sad that  her definition of a “perfect Christian “has such a negative meaning. (Obviously, there is no such thing as perfection, but still. Wow.) This short story definitely touches on the fact that one is not always who they claim to be.

                                                Defender of the Faith -Phillip Roth

One should not be denied the right of religious practices, not even in training. That’s why, in the first few pages, I really felt for Grossbart. It was only when the letter issue came up that I became a little suspicious of him. Because he feigned the letters, I began to perceive him as untrustworthy.  His next actions, however, are what really made me suspicious. When Marx denies Grossbart the favor of signing the pass, he becomes manipulative, threatening to leave anyway. He also accuses Marx of “closing his heart to his own.” At this point, I am thinking, “What are you talking about?  Marx did so many things to try to help you!” Grossbart knows Marx is a good guy and that this statement would guarantee him the weekend pass. Grossbart also knows that Marx understands what it’s like to be separated form one’s previous life. He knows that Marx misses the same things he does, and he uses this to his advantage.  If Grossbart genuinely wants to spend time with his family and celebrate the holiday, then that would have been another story. However, one may begin to wonder where the special treatment stops. If it is granted to some individuals, shouldn’t it be granted to all? That would definitely add some complication.

I feel bad for Marx that his compassion and generosity is used against him. He really does put himself on the line for Grossbart and his friends to leave the camp, only to realize he has been deceived. However, I am very pleased that Marx catches on to Grossbart’s next scheme and succeeds in adjusting the location assignments.  I do not really look at this as revenge, but I see it as Marx attempting to be just and fair after he let things slide before.

 I notice a similarity in the themes of these two stories; both deal with deception in light of one taking a risk. 

Kerouac and Ginsberg

          Big Sur- Jack Kerouac

In the chapter 12 Kerouac compares Dave’s driving to sitting on a rocking chair relaxing and enjoying the scenery. Jack seems to have a carefree attitude at this point, simply enjoying the scenery.  It is only when he notices the housing developments and factories does this attitude change.  Jack and David both begin to reflect on how a writer is unable to capture every detail of life because it changes and develops so quickly.  There is a sense of despair and helplessness as they reflect on how so much has been accomplished. Yet, if a person cannot even comprehend and keep up with the changing world, then one cannot write about it.  Because the passengers in the van conclude that they cannot understand life, they just drink it away.

This story kind of reminds me of Hemingway’s The Snows of Kilimanjaro. Although this story is clearly not Hemingway’s autobiography, one may assume that a lot of it reflects his life.   The main character, too, becomes overwhelmed with his life, unable to keep up with it and, therefore, unable to write about it.  This makes me wonder if Kerouac follows Harry’s pattern in the Snows of Kilimanjaro and let’s distress and cynicism get the best of him, failing to carry out his desires. I suppose I do know the answer to that, however, because Kerouac was clearly an alcoholic who lost his life because of it.

                                                                Allen Ginsberg: “Howl"

I really did try to understand Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Howl.” I even tried listening to a clip of Ginsberg reading it out loud, however, to no avail.  What I can recall about this poem is the vulgar language and discussion of drugs and sex. That’s about it.

Ellison, Baraka, Lorde, Walker

Invisible Man- Ralph Ellison

The narrator of this story feels his grandfather’s influence in everything he does. They share similar personalities and interact in similar ways.  The difference is, however, that the grandfather was well liked because he was pretending, while the main character is well-liked and praised by being himself.  Maybe the title of this poem is referring to the grandfather’s invisible presence in the narrator’s life. Whenever he thinks of his grandfather, he feels uncomfortable and uneasy. Or, perhaps, maybe the title is connected to the fact that both men are, in a sense, invisible to white men because they “remember their place” and are well-liked and courteous

I found Ralph Ellison’s comment interesting in the introduction. He didn’t want his novel to be perceived as a statement about the American Negro and wished it would have been read as simply a novel, instead.  I think it is natural to search for deeper meanings in poems or stories, and I try to do that almost all the time. However, sometimes it’s important to just sit back and take the literature as it is. While interesting, I do not really know what to make of this story.

                                       “An Agony. As Now.” - Amiri Baraka

            This poem is basically centered on the fact that the writer is extremely dissatisfied with himself. The introduction says that this writer was born as Everett Leroy Jones and later assumed the name Amiri Baraka.  I wonder if this small dissatisfaction with his former name reflects his larger discontent with his whole self. Baraka perceives the physical body as merely a machine.  According to him, the physical body restricts and limits the soul that is screaming inside to be heard.  I am somewhat confused by the meaning of the middle of this poem, but this where the class discussions really come in handy.

               “Harriet”- Audre Lorde

I could be wrong, but I wonder if the narrator and Harriet used to be really close and possibly have a romantic relationship. However, they had too many differing opinions and eventually ended on bad terms.  I wonder if society put too much pressure on Harriet and influenced her decision to distance herself from the speaker.  However, both the speaker and Harriet end up lonely, sad, and empty. It’s sad to think that people cannot experience happiness because the views of society get in the way.

              Everyday Use- Alice Walker

This was my favorite story/poem out of the bunch. Dee is portrayed as rather uppity, high maintenance and out spoken, which is in contrast to Maggie who seems more down to earth and less confident.  I found it notable that Dee inherits the family name while she doesn’t even value it; she didn’t even know who she is named after.  Maggie however, is the one who seems to be more family orientated and aware of her family history. She seems to truly value the quilts and other materials that are being passed down, but values the people who created them even more. Dee is the one who is more vocal about inheriting the quilts, yet she fails to value where they come from.  I really liked how Maggie is willing to give up the quilts because “ she can ‘member grandma Dee without them.”  While she would have liked to have the quilts, she realizes that that her memories with her grandma are more important.  In the end, the mother gives the quilts to Maggie instead, realizing that she is the one who truly deserves them.  I also enjoyed the end of the story after Dee storms off. Maggie and her mom are finally able to relax and enjoy themselves, something they can’t really do while Dee is around. They are more laid back. I like that.