Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Word, words, words.
"Doubt thou the stars are fire;/Doubt that the sun doth move;/Doubt truth to be a liar;/But never doubt I love." This quote is from Act I scene iii when Polonious is reading to Claudius and Gertrude the love letter Hamlet wrote to Ophelia. The quote means even if Ophelia has faith in nothing else, she should never doubt Hamlet's love for her. The love letter shows a softer and more sensitive side to Hamlet. It reveals how Hamlet truly does care for Ophelia no matter how he acts toward her. I picked this quote because it's not only beautiful but extremely power. Shakespeare was able to capture the powerful feeling of being in love within a few short lines. And to me, that is magic.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Something is Rotten in the State of BHS!
Out of the three versions we have seen, my favorite version was Ken Branagh's take on Hamlet. I love how Branagh really played with appearance versus reality. I thought it was clever how during the wedding scene when the camera pans from the cheering, bright crowd and behind the stands a dark, gloomy, Hamlet hidden in the shadows. It shows while the kingdom puts on this facade of being happy and cheery (shown by the crowd), it's really dark and corrupt (shown by Hamlet brooding behind the stands). I thought it was interesting how during Hamlet's first soliloquy Branagh started talking in the bright light behind the thrones and then ended back in the shadows across the hall. I love how it again shows the appearance of this united kingdom, but in reality it's falling into the shadows. I liked the fact the director showed us flashbacks. It helped me visualize what was happening prior to the story better. I really love the way Branagh directed the movie. I feel he really made it interesting and put a lot of his own twists and spin on Hamlet.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The Lost Art of Letter Writing: Dearest Gatsby,
Dearest Gatsby,
It's been awhile since I last wrote to you. I planned on slowly fading out of your life but I received your letter and was thinking about you. Remember that night last autumn when you and me were walking home? I remember how everything seemed to shine as if drunk on the moon's glow. The stars loomed closely and hung so heavy on the sky it seemed like they would fall on top of us at any minute. Everything was perfect. You were perfect. You were always spotless in that dashing uniform. I remember how my hands fitted perfectly in your hands. Like I was put on this earth just so my hand could be held by yours. And that kiss. Everything seemed to decrescendo to nothing; all I could hear was our two hearts beating together. With that kiss you stole my breath and my heart. I kept thinking to myself, "This can't be happening. This must be a dream. Something's got to give."
And sure enough, something gave. Gatsby, I tried to fight for you. I tried to convince my family money didn't matter. I was rich enough with your love. I even tried to meet you in New York. I thought that maybe if I could just be strong enough and patient enough that maybe, just maybe, we could be together.
While my love for you is strong, my mind is even stronger. I thought about it and I slowly began to realize how childish my actions have been. Yes, I do love you. But love doesn't put food on my table. Not only that but I've changed and you've changed. We're not the same people we were back that fall. It's about time I wake-up and start on with my life. I can't wait anymore, Gatsby. I just can't. Everyday I've been pining and longing for you and everyday my hearts breaks more and more. I need to grow-up and move on with my life. Tomorrow is my wedding day. Yes, I may not love him. But at least my heart might stop breaking if I love him even a little bit. I am writing you this letter to close this chapter of my life and wake-up from that silly little dream. Good night and farewell, Gatsby. Or perhaps should I say good morning?
Sincerely,
Daisy.
It's been awhile since I last wrote to you. I planned on slowly fading out of your life but I received your letter and was thinking about you. Remember that night last autumn when you and me were walking home? I remember how everything seemed to shine as if drunk on the moon's glow. The stars loomed closely and hung so heavy on the sky it seemed like they would fall on top of us at any minute. Everything was perfect. You were perfect. You were always spotless in that dashing uniform. I remember how my hands fitted perfectly in your hands. Like I was put on this earth just so my hand could be held by yours. And that kiss. Everything seemed to decrescendo to nothing; all I could hear was our two hearts beating together. With that kiss you stole my breath and my heart. I kept thinking to myself, "This can't be happening. This must be a dream. Something's got to give."
And sure enough, something gave. Gatsby, I tried to fight for you. I tried to convince my family money didn't matter. I was rich enough with your love. I even tried to meet you in New York. I thought that maybe if I could just be strong enough and patient enough that maybe, just maybe, we could be together.
While my love for you is strong, my mind is even stronger. I thought about it and I slowly began to realize how childish my actions have been. Yes, I do love you. But love doesn't put food on my table. Not only that but I've changed and you've changed. We're not the same people we were back that fall. It's about time I wake-up and start on with my life. I can't wait anymore, Gatsby. I just can't. Everyday I've been pining and longing for you and everyday my hearts breaks more and more. I need to grow-up and move on with my life. Tomorrow is my wedding day. Yes, I may not love him. But at least my heart might stop breaking if I love him even a little bit. I am writing you this letter to close this chapter of my life and wake-up from that silly little dream. Good night and farewell, Gatsby. Or perhaps should I say good morning?
Sincerely,
Daisy.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Behind the glitz and glamor of chapter three
In chapter three, it opens with one of Gatsby's boisterous and "swinging" parties. As Nick Carraway walks through the house, he notices that, "In the main hall a bar with a real brass rail was set up, and stocked with gins and liquors and with cordials so long forgotten that most of his female guests were too young to know one from another. " At first glance this comment seems innocent enough.But when you really dig deep and sink your teeth in it, it reveals how this comment isn't all glitz and glamor.
This comment shows how Gatsby and the party-goers obviously do not see the police or other law enforcers as a serious threat. The huge amounts of alcohol and the way it's on a very nice display it almost seems to mock the police. It's saying, "Not only do we have alcohol, but we're putting it right underneath your noses yet still you don't catch us." The comment about how, "most of his female guests were too young to know one from the other" shows how young these girls were. Notice also the fact he never mentions the men but only the women. He might be implying the females attending the party, are very, very young rather and the men are old enough to have experience the difference types of alcohol.
After reflecting on this comment some more, it also reveals the careless, reckless, "dancing through life" mindset of the party-goers and Gatsby. They are risking their money, jobs, reputation over a shot of whiskey or a flute of champagne. This blatant act of defiance shows that the party-goers and Gatsby don't care about the risks and consequences. All they care about is living in this moment and indulging themselves even if it's only for a second. They'll party now and worry about the consequences later. This in turn can reflect the views of the 1920's generation: party now, worry about it later.
This comment shows how Gatsby and the party-goers obviously do not see the police or other law enforcers as a serious threat. The huge amounts of alcohol and the way it's on a very nice display it almost seems to mock the police. It's saying, "Not only do we have alcohol, but we're putting it right underneath your noses yet still you don't catch us." The comment about how, "most of his female guests were too young to know one from the other" shows how young these girls were. Notice also the fact he never mentions the men but only the women. He might be implying the females attending the party, are very, very young rather and the men are old enough to have experience the difference types of alcohol.
After reflecting on this comment some more, it also reveals the careless, reckless, "dancing through life" mindset of the party-goers and Gatsby. They are risking their money, jobs, reputation over a shot of whiskey or a flute of champagne. This blatant act of defiance shows that the party-goers and Gatsby don't care about the risks and consequences. All they care about is living in this moment and indulging themselves even if it's only for a second. They'll party now and worry about the consequences later. This in turn can reflect the views of the 1920's generation: party now, worry about it later.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
A little bit about me
I'm Sarah. I'm loud, rarely speechless, and slightly awkward. But I'm okay with that. I'm uncoordinated and can barely walk a straight line. I'm extremely gullible. I read anything I can get my hands on. I never seem to have enough time to pack in all the things I need and want to get done in a day. I would be completely lost without my friends and family. Writing is the only way I can fully express myself and gather my thoughts.
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