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.

Bishop

“The Fish”

Elizabeth Bishop’s “The Fish” is the poem that stood out to me most. We talked in class how she has a remarkable gift for description; she does more than merely observe. I think this is definitely true as I almost felt like I was right there in the poem.  I could clearly imagine the old fish with its brown, wall papery skin speckled with barnacles.   Bishop also used personification while describing the fish’s eyes, sullen face, and jaw.  In many ways, the fish was likened to an individual.    While reading this poem, I couldn’t help but think of the struggle for women’s rights. At this point in time, being 1946, women had achieved a substantial amount of rights compared to earlier times.  Perhaps, Bishop is using the fish as a reflection on what it feels like to feel constrained and, in a sense, imprisoned.  At the end of the poem the fish is finally set free, no longer captured or held back. A beautiful rainbow is then presented, perhaps signifying the victory over constraint.

“One Art”

What a sad poem.  I almost wonder if Bishop really believes what she is writing or if she is just being sarcastic.  She writes, “Then practice losing farther, losing faster: places, and names, and where it was you meant to travel. None of these will bring disaster.” How will this not bring disaster, I wonder. If a person forgets the places they visited, names of people they care about, and the places they want to visit someday, I feel like they are also losing a part of themselves in the process. Don’t memories shape part of a person’s identity?

On the other hand, maybe Bishop really does mean what she writes. She lost her mother and father at a very young age; she is accustomed to loss and moving on afterwards. Because her life was shaped by loss, she knows how to live with it. The introduction says that Bishop did not participate in self-pity. Perhaps this poem was a reflection of that. Maybe Bishop believes that one should not fret about what they have lost. Instead, some aspects of life and the past are better forgotten.

I guess I don’t really know for certain where she was going with this poem, but I wanted to try.