Which would you save?

A response to "Ethics" by Linda Patsan

Frankly, I don't understand this poem. The concept behind it is interesting as always, but the message is definitely unclear. I guess this poem speaks to the general decline in overall care towards ethics. It is almost robitcally ingrained in us to say that we'd give regard to life over art; almost so much so that it becomes unimportant. Honestly, i don't feel that people will actually even think about this on a realistic level. Would you save an old woman or a Rembrandt painting in the event of a fire in a museum? I personally don't care for Rembrandt, but i'd also have to take into account whether or not the woman can walk, and it would also depend on the pertinancy of danger that the fire posed. While it may be interesting to examine how the general regard to morals and ethics have grown darker like the colors in the painting, this question has become effectively exhausted.

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Misconception

Response to "On Reading Poems to a Senior class at South High"

It  is a common misconception that the youth of today's world are so wrapped-up in their own personal affairs as well as popular culture that they lack an appreciation for simpler things.  Therefore, it seems to the writer of this poem almost a surprise that the students take in the poems like a fish taking water through its gills.  High school students are capable of amazing things in regard to abstract thought, however this is often overlooked.  Sadly however, because the fast-paced world in which we live, this exploration through the human mind is only fleeting and often dissolves as soon as it is built.  The memory of such a venture lingers sweet in our minds, but the experience of the real endeavor is not lasting.

The Awakening Ch. last little bit

This book is trippy. I can definitely see the ideals of femenism coming through, but it's almost in an irrational sense. I'm all for pride in one's own sect of society, but take it in perspective. Edna didn't know what she wanted. I mentioned in class earlier this week that reading this book (especially in the latter chapters) of My Super Sweet 16 (or really any other braindead shows on MTV about children spoiled beyond your wildest dreams). Edna wanted whatever was pleasing to her in the moment. If that was her husband's money, then she got it. If she wanted Robert, then she had her chance and gave it away rather willingly. If she wanted sex, well, she got that too. If she wanted independence in the physical sense, she got as much of that as a person in her situation could possibly get. Was she happy after all was said and done? No actually. Instead she surpasses her own physical limiations (with debate open as to whether or not it was intentional), and died as a result. She goes and kills herself. What the hell Edna. There were so many other people that would have killed to have what she had, but unfortunately she was a little on the selfish side. Do i condone everything that happened to her in her conformist society? Absolutely not. However, I don't think that she had a bad thing going in the least.

God, I'm glad that much is out of the way.

The Awakening Ch. 30-34

Edna's a dick. I'd just like to get that out there.

My reasons for saying this:

• While her husband was in New York, despite the lavish gifts he's given her, Edna without so much as informing her husband of any change in their situation moves out into the "pigeon house." While I understand that the gender roles of people in this time and place would dictate that she wouldn't have to, it is because it is unthinkable that such a thing would happen, not that she doesn't want to.
• Edna throws the lavish dinner party, then sends the bill to her husband. All the while, she has moved out and does not do what is expected of her. While I do think that the expectations of women in situations similar to Edna's are entirely wrong, Mr. Pontellier was too good a husband to be treated the way he was.
• She's involved in a bizzare love triangle (or is it quadrilateral? or astreisk?), and while she wants one man emotionally, one physically, and another for his money, she cannot decide. On top of that, even if she did decide not much would happen. If she loves Robert, why does she get so cracked up over this? I mean really, just run away with the man.

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The Awakening Ch. 25-29

This next group of chapters marks the the true beginning of Edna's affair (in the physical sense), and while I can somewhat understand where she is coming from, I would have to say that this group of chapters also marks the beginning of where I lose whatever respect i may have had for her at any point. The causes that have driven Edna to this point are a myriad of things; 1.) the oppressive society in which she lives (in which she feels tied down way too tightly, 2.) general boredom with her current situation (however good it may be financially and quite possibly realistically) C.) animalistical desires (need I say more?). As i mentioned in class, Edna doesn't know what the hell she wants. The biggest problem with this, however, is that she thinks she does. She wants to have freedom in her relationships, she wants to do whatever she wants whenever she wants, and she wants to have her image remain generally the same. She mentions that she would give up anything for her kids (except who she was). Two problems. 1.) Would she really? I mean, come on. It's one thing to say something, but I've seen no evidence to support that she ACTUALLY does love her kids. 2.) Who the hell is she, really? We don't know (other than a selfish bia (sry for using your word kriebs)) who she is, and frankly she doesn't either.

The Awakening Ch. 20-24

Societal expectations are deep rooted in this part of the century.  Everyone is expected to conform to their place (of which everyone is supposed to know), and any deviation from the standard is unthinkable.  However, as I previously mentioned, Edna does not have any intention to conform to the societal norm.  The problem becomes for Edna's friends and family that they are in complete denial (or are merely oblivious) to Edna's intentions in life.  The fact of the matter is is that the expectations are so severely traditionalized and rooted that they don't suspect anything even though Edna is showing definite signs of attraction to Robert, as evinced by her indignation that he had not written to her, yet had written to practically everyone else.  The doctor's recommendation to Mr. Pontellier that he effectively wait and see what happens is proof of the obliviousness of the society and reluctance to bear witness to any sort of change.  I also find it somewhat humorous that the doctor asked if Edna had been associating with psuedo-intellectual women, as they were so reluctant to change that they felt that women who had experienced an awakening only had the facade of intellect.

The Awakening Ch. 15-19

This section of the book is a continuation of Edna's own personal awakening as she furthers the distance between herself and her husband and children.  It's interesting, however, how she divulges how she feels like her husband is a good one, and that she does in fact have strong feelings for him.  Furthermore, the fact that she says that she would lay down her life for her children is an interesting impediment in her reaching her full awakening.  It's obvious that she does not agree or intend to conform with the societal norm, however there are parts of her that enjoy the security that conforming has to offer.  It's very obvious though that the part of her that craves freedom is stronger than the part that enjoys security when she is on her own for a time.  The fact of the matter is that Edna does not think that she has a bad life per se, but that she wants more out of it.  She wants to be able to do the things that she feels are right for her.

The Awakening Ch. 10-14

I personally feel as if this group of chapters represents the beginning of Edna's awakening.  She allows herself to become more attached to Robert, although she donesn't exactly realize what was really happening, and she begins to distance herself from her husband.  A representation of her true awakening and seperating from the expected mainstream society was her swimming out to a length too far for her, despite the fact that she really couldn't swim to begin with.  A common theme in this book is undoubtably venturing outside of one's own comfort zone, and this chapter is the beginning of the journey outside of what feels safe.  Edna swiming out too far was definitely a foreshadowing of where Edna's ventures will ultimately lead her.

The Awakening Ch. 5-9

The plot and characterization thickens in this section as differences between the expectations in Creole society and American society at large are drawn out. In this section, Edna is shown more as the woman from Kentucky when she is contrasted against Madame Ratignolle. Because M.R. (Ratignolle) is thoroughly versed in the mannerisms of Creole society, she exemplifies them to the finest detail and is appalled with the general disregard that Edna gives to the same precepts. It's quite interesting to look at this situation with today's Jerry Springer influenced eye. Today, women having affairs is a daily event. While certainly not inevitable, it has been known to happen. This is in acute contrast to Creole society in which it is taboo and unheard of for a woman to have an affair. I'll get to the point. Edna is so far outside of Creole society, and this distance comes out in this section. I'd also like to say that it seems like a complete fantasy world that the Creoles were living in. It was a paternal, almost stepfordian existence that would truly suck, well, in my opinion at least.

The Awawkening Ch. 1-4

From the first chapter of this book, you can tell that Edna has more things going on that meets both the eye of the reader and herself alike. It's obvious that she isn't like the other women in the Creole society as she doesn't seem to have the overbearing dedication to her family that is expected of other women in situations similar to her own, and the fact that Robert, unbeknownst to Edna (obviously), is vying for her affection combined with the fact that she is, to a certain degree, playing along makes for an interesting setup of the characterization. Edna is obviously in contrast to the Creole women, namely Madame Ratignolle, who represented the quenticential "mother-woman" as she was so aptly named.

In my personal opinion, this is shaping up to not be quite the bore that HOD proved itself time and again to be. That's right, come and get me.