This Journal will include passages/ideas I find interesting in the novel that relate to my topic
-How the women's view of the society is limited. Different women can see different things
ex
Marthas -- cooks/etc/gossipers p 14
Aunts --not fertile women but they basically brainwash the other women so they have power in the society
Handmaids-- fertile women
Wives - marry the husbands. they have the most "power"
Econowives - poor women that are normal
Jezebels - prostitutes! see moria's passage
Unwomen -
Commanders - most powerful, run the government- break their own rules
Eyes - spies for the government
Angels - soldiers
govt take over 232
chess game p 178 198
persoective 185
mayday- handmaids 261 348
serena nick 265
commander 272 274 307- power
moria- 323
nick 339
offred nick 345
marthas 349
bodies 356 359
new ofwarren 364 365
commander serena end 377
Presentation Outline
Using chronology, perspective, point of view, bias… Atwood shows that the advantages one has in a society allows them to perceive the government differently.
Background info:
• speculative fiction!
• Left wing—supported change however no one in the “upper class” wanted change. They would go against it privately but not in plain view.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Oedipus the King Journal 4- Themes and Ideas
I have been tracking the idea of fate or destiny in Oedipus and it has popped out several times in Oedipus. Because of the phrophecy, Oedipus is "destined" to live it and everyone expects him to marry his mother and kill his father. He tries to go against this but because he is given this fate, there is no way to over come this.
This idea may be present because of how religious they are. As seen in the novel, "But if any man comes striding, high and mighty in all he says and does, no fear of justice, no reverence for the temples of the gods-- let a rough doom tear him down, repay his pride, brakneck, runious pride!" (975). This passage from the chorus shows that no matter what someone does, they are punished by the gods. Therefore, their lives are controlled by the gods and they just live under their commands.
Not only does the chorus mention destiny or fate in that passage. In the previous passage the chorus says, "Destiny guide me always/Destiny find me filled with reverence.pure in word and deed" (955). Here it seems like destiny is personified and given the ability to find someone and guide them. Destiny has always seemed like an idea for me. Like how manifest destiny is the belief that America will take all land coast to coast. I suppose this idea has guided us to take over the coast but i never thought that the destiny found us.
Later in the play, the chorus again mentions destiny. "You are my great example, you, your life/ your destiny, Oedipus, man of misery--/I count no man blest" (1320). The passage before this one explains that a man does not have more joy than a dream and his dream just "dies blazing into oblivion." This shows that men can dream but it is no more than that because they will never be able to do anything about it because of their destiny.
Oedipus also personifies destiny when he says "My destiny, my dark power, what a leap you made" (1146). By personifying destiny, he gives it more power and control in his life which emphasizes the idea that a man has no control over his life because he has a predetermined fate. Oedipus personifies destiny again, "What grief can crown this grief/It's mine alonem my destiny--I am oedipus!" (1485). "Well let my destiny come and take me on its way!" (1595).
Because both Oedipus and the Chorus speak of destiny, we know that not only does someone on the outside (chorus) know that destiny is taking over Oedipus' life but he does too.
This idea may be present because of how religious they are. As seen in the novel, "But if any man comes striding, high and mighty in all he says and does, no fear of justice, no reverence for the temples of the gods-- let a rough doom tear him down, repay his pride, brakneck, runious pride!" (975). This passage from the chorus shows that no matter what someone does, they are punished by the gods. Therefore, their lives are controlled by the gods and they just live under their commands.
Not only does the chorus mention destiny or fate in that passage. In the previous passage the chorus says, "Destiny guide me always/Destiny find me filled with reverence.pure in word and deed" (955). Here it seems like destiny is personified and given the ability to find someone and guide them. Destiny has always seemed like an idea for me. Like how manifest destiny is the belief that America will take all land coast to coast. I suppose this idea has guided us to take over the coast but i never thought that the destiny found us.
Later in the play, the chorus again mentions destiny. "You are my great example, you, your life/ your destiny, Oedipus, man of misery--/I count no man blest" (1320). The passage before this one explains that a man does not have more joy than a dream and his dream just "dies blazing into oblivion." This shows that men can dream but it is no more than that because they will never be able to do anything about it because of their destiny.
Oedipus also personifies destiny when he says "My destiny, my dark power, what a leap you made" (1146). By personifying destiny, he gives it more power and control in his life which emphasizes the idea that a man has no control over his life because he has a predetermined fate. Oedipus personifies destiny again, "What grief can crown this grief/It's mine alonem my destiny--I am oedipus!" (1485). "Well let my destiny come and take me on its way!" (1595).
Because both Oedipus and the Chorus speak of destiny, we know that not only does someone on the outside (chorus) know that destiny is taking over Oedipus' life but he does too.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
IOP Brainstorm (Journal #2)
It has been awhile since my last IOP blog and it is not too long before my IOP. So first I am going to list the things I have done and the things I need to do. I am also going to use this blog to organize my thoughts on how I intend to meet and exceed all requirements of the rubric! Yes!
My first blog included what I planned on doing... which is essentially the same as the first two points here, however it is nice for me to get it all down again, and I also want to go into dept.
Things I have done:
-Read the novel (I would hope so!)
-Decided on my topic/book (this was done first). My IOP is on The Handmaid's Tale by a Canadian woman named Margaret Atwood. I will be looking at the different perspectives of the government/society and how a lot of them are the same. I will be using chronology to show how it alters the reader's perspective and also look at how the point of view allows us to view the society and the bias that it causes.
-I want to show the different perspectives using a game of scrabble. This is significant because of how Offred played the game with the commander. To me, the game of scrabble symbolized the society of the past. The game of scrabble is fair because everyone has a chance to win. However, because some people are naturally smarter than others they are able to get ahead. This is how a right society runs. However, in The Handmaid's Tale, people were given advantages and rights randomly or just because of their ability to reproduce. How each person views the game will be different because of the advantages they recieve in the society. I plan on showing this in poster form in the front of the room. The board will be divided into parts with essential quotes as well. I plan on having the class involved in this board game.
What I need to do:
-Figure out a clever way to give a brief overview of the text.
-Figure out a clever opening
-Pick out exact passages
-Plan out the board game
Now I am going to review the rubric
A: Understanding the works -- I understand it!
B: Interpretation and Personal Response- -- I need to be convincing in my argument/thoughts.
C: Presentation- Smooth transitions-- I will work on it
D: Use of Language- This will be difficult for me as I never speak formally. I will try my best. to give "Clear, varied, precise and concise" language.
Now that I have my thoughts all written down, I am going to do some background information on my text because in class Mrs. Wecker mentioned that Tigard students often get marked down on their IB papers because they do not mention the outside world. Although this is a different paper, I feel like it may be nice to know.
After a brief visit to the trustworthy wikipedia, I discovered that Atwood called this novel a speculative fiction and a science fiction book. Meaning she believes that some aspects of this novel are possible where as others are not. Atwood is also involved with politics on the left wing! This is interesting because people generally support change however, her novel involves people that fall under the government without acting against it. Could this be her exaggerating the other views?
I will conclude this journal for now and continue when I have more to talk about. Now that I have a game plan, I feel so much better.
My first blog included what I planned on doing... which is essentially the same as the first two points here, however it is nice for me to get it all down again, and I also want to go into dept.
Things I have done:
-Read the novel (I would hope so!)
-Decided on my topic/book (this was done first). My IOP is on The Handmaid's Tale by a Canadian woman named Margaret Atwood. I will be looking at the different perspectives of the government/society and how a lot of them are the same. I will be using chronology to show how it alters the reader's perspective and also look at how the point of view allows us to view the society and the bias that it causes.
-I want to show the different perspectives using a game of scrabble. This is significant because of how Offred played the game with the commander. To me, the game of scrabble symbolized the society of the past. The game of scrabble is fair because everyone has a chance to win. However, because some people are naturally smarter than others they are able to get ahead. This is how a right society runs. However, in The Handmaid's Tale, people were given advantages and rights randomly or just because of their ability to reproduce. How each person views the game will be different because of the advantages they recieve in the society. I plan on showing this in poster form in the front of the room. The board will be divided into parts with essential quotes as well. I plan on having the class involved in this board game.
What I need to do:
-Figure out a clever way to give a brief overview of the text.
-Figure out a clever opening
-Pick out exact passages
-Plan out the board game
Now I am going to review the rubric
A: Understanding the works -- I understand it!
B: Interpretation and Personal Response- -- I need to be convincing in my argument/thoughts.
C: Presentation- Smooth transitions-- I will work on it
D: Use of Language- This will be difficult for me as I never speak formally. I will try my best. to give "Clear, varied, precise and concise" language.
Now that I have my thoughts all written down, I am going to do some background information on my text because in class Mrs. Wecker mentioned that Tigard students often get marked down on their IB papers because they do not mention the outside world. Although this is a different paper, I feel like it may be nice to know.
After a brief visit to the trustworthy wikipedia, I discovered that Atwood called this novel a speculative fiction and a science fiction book. Meaning she believes that some aspects of this novel are possible where as others are not. Atwood is also involved with politics on the left wing! This is interesting because people generally support change however, her novel involves people that fall under the government without acting against it. Could this be her exaggerating the other views?
I will conclude this journal for now and continue when I have more to talk about. Now that I have a game plan, I feel so much better.
Oedipus the King Journal 3-- Creative
--A diary entry from Oedipus
I have spent my whole life trying to keep the phrophecy from coming true. I have distanced myself rom Polybus to make sure that I would not kill him. that I would not kill my father. He loved me, deeply and I was his only child in his early years. How did all the effort I put into trying to keep him alive end wasted? All this time I tried to avoid my fate and yet my destiny followed me. Followed me because my parents were thinking the same thing when I was born. I wonder if they were looking after themselves or me.
I tried to hide the fact that I murdered Laius. It shouldn't have mattered at the time. He was of no significance to me, just another man that crossed my path. Creon was trying to put the blame on me but I was able to banish him . Now I feel like I need to banish myself.
I did not know my real father. I knew a man that loved me and that cared for me, but he was not my father. Do I know him if what I knew him as was incorrect? He is dead now, so is my real father. My parents, they gave me away and called for my death to avoid the prophicies. I was left tied up in a forest and yet I did not die. How have I lived through it all? How, after so much effort has the prophicy still come true? Not only have I tried to avoid it but my father has as well.
My thoughts are scattered tonight. I do not know what is left. I have or had or have it all. Power, confidence, father, wife. What is left for me?
I have spent my whole life trying to keep the phrophecy from coming true. I have distanced myself rom Polybus to make sure that I would not kill him. that I would not kill my father. He loved me, deeply and I was his only child in his early years. How did all the effort I put into trying to keep him alive end wasted? All this time I tried to avoid my fate and yet my destiny followed me. Followed me because my parents were thinking the same thing when I was born. I wonder if they were looking after themselves or me.
I tried to hide the fact that I murdered Laius. It shouldn't have mattered at the time. He was of no significance to me, just another man that crossed my path. Creon was trying to put the blame on me but I was able to banish him . Now I feel like I need to banish myself.
I did not know my real father. I knew a man that loved me and that cared for me, but he was not my father. Do I know him if what I knew him as was incorrect? He is dead now, so is my real father. My parents, they gave me away and called for my death to avoid the prophicies. I was left tied up in a forest and yet I did not die. How have I lived through it all? How, after so much effort has the prophicy still come true? Not only have I tried to avoid it but my father has as well.
My thoughts are scattered tonight. I do not know what is left. I have or had or have it all. Power, confidence, father, wife. What is left for me?
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Oedipus the King Journal 2
Journal: How does the background information on Greek Theater and History inform your reading of Oedipus? Use specific examples to explore the connections between context and content.
Knowing the background information about Sophocles really helped set up the play in my mind. I can imagine the audience being awed by his painted scenery. This fact made me realize that plays back then are a lot different than the movies we have today. Because the backdrops and props are not as high tech, people have to imagine things more. However, the fact that everyone knows the story also helps because the lack of these luxuries in the play allows people to visualize what they want or expect the story to look like. Because we are reading the play, the background information allows us to not only visualize the scene but we are able to pick out pieces of the play that we already understand. For example, because we were told in class about the story of Oedipus, it made following the book a lot easier. When Oedipus was talking to Jocasta, knowing that he was going to tell her that he killed Liais kept me on the edge of my seat. When he finally says "I am guilty" (937) it is kind of like finally taking a breath after holding it for a long time because you finally get the information. I wonder if the audience is like this too because this is how I get during every movie or book when I already know the ending.
Having this play at the festival for Dionysys allows me to see the tradition in this piece and how it is important to everyone in the community. It also allows me to understand that it was a religious event so the play is filled with references to Gods. The Chorus seems to end every scene with a passage that includes religion. For tonights reading it mentioned "Olympian Sky thier only father, nothing mortal, no man gave them birth, their memory deathless, never lost in sleep: within them lives a might god, the god does not grow old" (958).
Also knowing his life story is interesting too. I learned that he was born rich with slaves but had a lot of difficulties in his life that involved mistresses and prostitutes. This showed me his popularity but at the same time.... weren't playwrights not that rich/popular? Or was that a different time?
In one of the readings, it was mentioned that people were prevented from doing wrong because they respected laws and authorities. I thought this was interesting because it allows us to see how all negative actions are looked down upon. This is ironic because Oedipus has so much authority and power and yet he killed someone and has to live under that. This also shows how Creon arguing with Oedipus is out of line. Even if the things he said were right, the audience may first focus on the fact that he was disrespectful.
Knowing the background information about Sophocles really helped set up the play in my mind. I can imagine the audience being awed by his painted scenery. This fact made me realize that plays back then are a lot different than the movies we have today. Because the backdrops and props are not as high tech, people have to imagine things more. However, the fact that everyone knows the story also helps because the lack of these luxuries in the play allows people to visualize what they want or expect the story to look like. Because we are reading the play, the background information allows us to not only visualize the scene but we are able to pick out pieces of the play that we already understand. For example, because we were told in class about the story of Oedipus, it made following the book a lot easier. When Oedipus was talking to Jocasta, knowing that he was going to tell her that he killed Liais kept me on the edge of my seat. When he finally says "I am guilty" (937) it is kind of like finally taking a breath after holding it for a long time because you finally get the information. I wonder if the audience is like this too because this is how I get during every movie or book when I already know the ending.
Having this play at the festival for Dionysys allows me to see the tradition in this piece and how it is important to everyone in the community. It also allows me to understand that it was a religious event so the play is filled with references to Gods. The Chorus seems to end every scene with a passage that includes religion. For tonights reading it mentioned "Olympian Sky thier only father, nothing mortal, no man gave them birth, their memory deathless, never lost in sleep: within them lives a might god, the god does not grow old" (958).
Also knowing his life story is interesting too. I learned that he was born rich with slaves but had a lot of difficulties in his life that involved mistresses and prostitutes. This showed me his popularity but at the same time.... weren't playwrights not that rich/popular? Or was that a different time?
In one of the readings, it was mentioned that people were prevented from doing wrong because they respected laws and authorities. I thought this was interesting because it allows us to see how all negative actions are looked down upon. This is ironic because Oedipus has so much authority and power and yet he killed someone and has to live under that. This also shows how Creon arguing with Oedipus is out of line. Even if the things he said were right, the audience may first focus on the fact that he was disrespectful.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Point of View/Characters - Oedipus the King
In class, we discussed the background of Sophocles' play "Oedipus the King." We went over the fact that everyone in the time knew the story of Oedipus and all the performances were just retellings of the same story. Knowing this while reading the play, I noticed how much authority is given to Oedipus and how he is presented in such a formal way. This power given to him makes the play much more tragic. This also makes me wonder the audience notices this exaggeration and if as more and more people watched the play, his authority increased. Knowing this information also makes the play ironic because the audience knows that although Oedipus is presented in such a formal way, he is actually tragic.
Examples of Oedipus' characterization:
--Before the play starts, the description of the time and scene already describes Oedipus as "majestic"
--Oedipus also seems helpful as he helps a priest to his feet and says "You can trust me. I am ready to help, I'll do anything. I would be blind to misery not to pity my people kneeling at my feet" (15).
The word blind stuck out to me because he is blind to the fact that the audience already knows his fate!
However, as the section went on I noticed that his anger brought out a negative side of him.
But back to the main journal entry:
This play follows Oedipus but we are allowed to see everyone's actions and many of their thoughts. The narrative voice is extremely reliable because in life all we know is what we see and when we watch a play, we see all. The other questions should have been answered above.
Examples of Oedipus' characterization:
--Before the play starts, the description of the time and scene already describes Oedipus as "majestic"
--Oedipus also seems helpful as he helps a priest to his feet and says "You can trust me. I am ready to help, I'll do anything. I would be blind to misery not to pity my people kneeling at my feet" (15).
The word blind stuck out to me because he is blind to the fact that the audience already knows his fate!
However, as the section went on I noticed that his anger brought out a negative side of him.
But back to the main journal entry:
This play follows Oedipus but we are allowed to see everyone's actions and many of their thoughts. The narrative voice is extremely reliable because in life all we know is what we see and when we watch a play, we see all. The other questions should have been answered above.
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