SSRJ #4: Minot

When I finished my first reading of "Lust," I felt a bit appalled and perhaps saddened by this girl. In the beginning, it seemed she had given in to teenage desires and was merely being swept into that feeling of lust. But, as the story progressed, I felt she showed a darker side in regards to what was occurring. It seemed she felt a sort of obligation, as a female, to please men/boys. "So, if you flirted, you had to be prepared to go through with it, " she states after saying being called a "cock-teaser" is one of the worst things. Perhaps it was because she grew up in boarding school without her mother around and a housemother telling her she had a duty to give men babies, but whatever the reason for her actions, they made me a little sad. Although I realize this story is fiction, the truth is that there are females out there that feel a need to deliver and to glimpse into such a prevalent problem in today's society was a little uncomfortable, to be honest.

I think an extremely important element in Minot's "Lust" was the tone. Although this story was told in first person, the character does not seem to express herself emotionally, but describes her experiences in a matter-of-fact kind of way. This seeming detachment sets a tone of disconnect from her own feelings, as though she is merely going about the motions she has come to accept as a part of everyday life.

I would like to know how you interpreted the line, "You haven't been able--to what? To open your heart. You open your legs but can't, or don't dare anymore, to open your heart" (79). Do you feel it's her fault for not letting her lovers in emotionally, or perhaps it is maybe a callous she has formed so she doesn't feel ultimately rejected?

SSRJ#3: Colette

Upon my initial reading of "The Hand," I found this story quite amusing. It was funny to me to imagine this young woman whispering "'Oh!'…as if faced with something slightly indecent." in the middle of the night due to the sight of the hand of the man she had just married. Also, the personification implied by Colette's description of this man's hand painted quite a funny picture in my mind: as if it were teasing this woman. After reading a second time, a bit more in depth, the symbolism presented by the hand gave the story much more meaning.

By using symbolize, Colette infers marriage can be a sort of oppression. Throughout her description of the hand the wife had previously not looked at in much detail, it becomes increasingly beast-like and perhaps close to offensive. This is displayed not only in the motion of the hand, but also the wife's reactions, as she gasps and shudders at the mere sight of it the following morning. It's as if the woman has a relationship with this hand within these moments given her emotional reactions to its gestures/presence. Although she is terrified and disgusted by this "creature," in the end, she begins "her life of duplicity, of resignation, and of a lowly, delicate diplomacy…[and leans] over and humbly [kisses] the monstrous hand."

I would like to know if anyone else thought the hand symbolized something else, as I kind of struggled to pinpoint the meaning behind it.

SSRJ #1: Chopin

    When I read the first line of "The Story of an Hour," it was apparent this story would be extremely emotional, but I had assumed it would be filled with the weight of  despair rather than liberation. As I made my way through the story, I felt relief for the seemingly widowed Louise Mallard. Although her husband may not have necessarily been a bad man, it was clear she was not happy being his wife. I think the piece was made particularly interesting by the year it was set in. Courtship was much different back then as was marriage. In my own life, I know my grandmother and grandfather met in the 1930's, remained friends for a month, dated for another month, and then got married--that's only two months of knowing a person. If things were done so hastily in Mrs. Mallards situation, perhaps she would not have had the ample time to get to know her husband-to-be and he would not prove to be what she had initially thought/wanted. Given the era, divorce also would have been frowned upon whereas in modern times, divorce seems to almost be a part of everyone's lives.

    Kate Chopin's use of imagery symbolizing the liberating notion of being widowed suggests the author's personal views of the oppression felt by women playing the role of the archetypal housewife. After Mrs. Mallards initial reaction of sadness and despair, she goes to sit alone in her room. She notices the trees outside the window "aquiver with new spring life" and the "sparrows twittering in the eaves"(5.) New spring life symbolizes the beginning of her new life alone and sparrows--birds--tend to represent freedom due to their ability of flight. Furthermore, when she realized her acquired freedom, Louise saw "a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely. And she opened and spread her arms out to them in welcome" (13.) These words rich in portrayal of Mrs. Mallards liberation suggest a happiness relating to the passing of her deceased husband. Although some may find it cruel, the author illustrates this new-found freedom as something to be celebrated therefore alluding to her disagreement of women playing the role of housewife.

    Although this is incredibly overdue, I am wondering how everyone else feels about Mrs. Mallard's response to her husbands death. Do you think it was cruel or somehow warranted? I'll be reading the other blogs as well to see your opinions. :)

Introducing...ME

Hello, my name is Kelly (as you may or may not have noticed at this point.) As directed, this is a brief introduction of myself. I am taking Ms. Blunk's English 1B class to fulfill general education requirements as I am pursuing a degree in mathematics. It is my second year at Sierra College full-time, but I did take a few courses my senior year of high school while earning my diploma through an independent study program.

Although I am not generally a person to find/make time for reading, I do enjoy good literature when I come across it. For the most part I enjoy nonfictional essay/short story compilations and (auto)biographies, but have also come across quite a few novels that have been worthwhile. Due to my lack of reading, I do not have a favorite author, but I will say that everything I have read from Augusten Burroughs has been hard to put down. Some books I have enjoyed include, but are not limited to:
*Running with Scissors
*Lord of the Flies
*White Oleander
*You Better Not Cry
*A Long Way Gone
*Snowflower and the Secret Fan

Anyhow, I look forward to this class and communicating with all of you--my classmates. :)