NRJ#1: Conformity

As time has progressed, society has conformed to certain rules and actions that culture has put out in public. The people today feel as if they don’t do this or that, they won’t fit in or gain acceptance into society. In the story Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro uses the characters to show the cultural effects of conformity. For example, Wile in the farming cottages Ruth seems to imitate everything that the characters do in the show she watches. As well as how Kathy constantly thinks her appearance is normal and emphasizes how “typical” she is. When the characters are farmed for their organs, it all goes without a problem because the donors are taught to conform and accept their fate of being only donors. In the novel, Ishiguro shows no signs of suggestion that there may not be another alternative for the clones but too end their lives. The characters don’t seem to rebel against the idea of being murdered for their organs. The only time where there is a bit of opposition is when Tommy gets out of the car and yells and goes into a tantrum for not being able to do anything about his “completion.” Conformity seems to be something that cannot be challenged in the book, whereas in reality there is questioning and rebellion. Why don’t the characters seem to want to find other ways to live? Is there a specific reason as to why they would rather “complete,” than being free and being able to live?

DRJ # 4

  Initial Reaction

I wonder why Othello never spoke with anyone else of what Iago had to say about Desdamona and Cassio. The council of many would have been a better decision rather than just Iago as the only one. If he consulted someone else, he would have told him the right thing to do. It’s hard to believe that Othello having such a high rank and many skills could be such a poor judge of character.

Character Analysis

Iiago has a talent for telling the truth but making other people misinterpret it to his advantage. He definitely is a two-faced character that knows how to manipulate everyone like puppets on a string.  I was watching the Batman flick The Dark Knight directed by Christopher Nolan. And the character Harvey Dent reminded me of Iago. Like Iago, Harvey Dent is respected among his peers and is known as this all knowing warrior against evil. But as the film progresses Harvey Dent loses whats most dear to him and is seduced by rage and revenge to become a what he has tried to stop, just like iago

Theme Analysis

A theme in this story is trust; trust is something that is difficult to gain. It’s practically the glue that holds any relationship. For example the relationship of friendship between Iago and Othello, Iago took advantage of Othello’s trust and used it to poison his mind. Another relationship that needed more trust was Othello’s and Desdemona’s. If they would have trusted each other a bit more and communicated what was happening, none of this would have happened. 

DRJ # 3

 Initial Reaction

In act 1, Cassio listens to Iago’s idea and asks Desdemona to help him make peace with Othello and get back his ranking. Iago begins to put thoughts into poison Othello’s mind that Cassio and Desdemona are together. They never speak of what Iago is saying to them. They both just keep it a secret. This lack of communication is what’s giving Iago the power over them and tearing their relationship apart.

Character Analysis

Desdemona is portrayed as the devoted and loving wife that would do no wrong to Othello. But there is more to her character; Desdemona seems as the perfect wife. But in the beginning we find out that she’s really in love with Othello, but this heroic idea of him. She’s more attracted to his stories of adventure and not really into him inner self. She seems a bit shallow and vapid when I read this.

Theme Analysis

The plot begins to get more complex as Iago’s evil scheme begins to unravel. Truth is a theme that really made me think. Truth itself such a powerful force, it can bring people together or tear apart everything they believed in. Shakespeare reveals that truth does not discriminate and it can be misinterpreted by anyone which can lead to deception. Iago does not tell lie he just reveals with is happening and everyone else is interpreting the way they want.

DRJ #2: Othello Act 2

Initial Reaction

In act 2, the story is beginning to move in a much fast pace. Now that the characters have been established, the events are unfolding. Iago’s plan to destroy Othello’s life is unfolding rapidly. Now that the seeds of deceit are planted, it’s only a matter of time the consequences will take place. Iago has this talent to manipulate others around him and play with them like a puppet on a string.

Character Analysis

In act 2, Cassio is in the crossfire of Iago’s evil plan to destroy Othello. Cassio, the lieutenant is given this position by Othello himself. This is a definite catalyst that triggers Iagos to do his vicious deed. Cassio seems like a responsible man, but Iago sways him to drink and before a night watching shift. And he Compromises his actions by the whispers of Iago to Othello begin.

Theme Analysis

In the second act of Othelo, Iago reveals his reasons as to why he is plotting against Othello. Shakespeare uses revenge as one of the principle themes in Othello. Iago’s motive for ruining Othello is first and foremost revenge.  Shakespeare’s use of revenge sends the message that anyone in the world no matter what time can hold anger towards that person enough to scheme revenge.

DRJ #1 Othello Act I

Initial Reaction

The initial reaction I had is that the Iago is a man seduced by jealousy. This reminded me of a time where in High School.  A girl in my class was spreading rumors of another girl. She was telling lies like; this other girl was going out with multiple guys at the same time. The girl who spread the rumors did this to split the other girl’s boyfriend because she had a thing for him. 

Character Analysis

Iago is the Main antagonist in this story.  His lying causes many of the problems that arise for the characters in the story. His flaw is his jealousy towards Othello because he doesn’t have the power and status Othello has. Iago only can think about tearing Othello’s relationship and destroying his power. Iago is two faced because he very easily transforms into this sinister man with bad intentions to this apparent confidant that would never lie.

Theme Analysis

William Shakespeare uses the character Iago to show how hate can bring down a person’s morals and make them commit the most terrible of tings.  Iago uses his hatred for Othello to fuel him to confuse Othello about what is truly happening. Iago even uses Rodrigo agoainst Othello to separate him from his wife.

SSRJ #2 "I Am The Grass" by Daly Walker

The graphic descriptions of Daly Walker's own actions in Vietnam stunned me. It distracted me a bit from being able to focus on the rest of the story during my first reading of it. The book Vietnam: A History, by Stanley Karnow had many stories of horrific events but none were firsthand accounts or confessionals like the brief descriptions Walker gives. I think Walker, needed to give his accounting of his actions to free himself. Vietnam, the setting in the story is Walker's antagonist. The setting throughout the story gives the story more depth.  He acknowledges how his shocking actions and experiences upon returning from Vietnam kept him from accomplishing much in the first couple of years after his time in Vietnam. The irony of the beliefs is that after Walker's experience in Vietnam he was completely unmotivated and angry about what he had done and what he felt Vietnam had done to him. He let those feelings control him and in turn wasted significant time. Later on though, Vietnam became a motivator for him. His desire to atone for his actions and to end his pity for himself led him to become a surgeon and begin helping people, the great irony of Walker's life. Vietnam was traumatic and devastating for himself and because of himself. In the end it becomes an endless reminder of the good he is capable of and must continue to do. If the story was told from his living room I don’t think that it would be as intriguing. It draws your attention because he is back where his night mares started. Why would he volunteer to travel back to Vietnam if it causes so much pain and disturbing memories? Is performing surgeries really helping him battle his internal struggles?

SSRJ #1: Mines by Susan Straight

In the Short story Mines by Susan Straight, The main character Clarette narrates what she sees and feels all in a few days. Her life is basically work and home. She works at a prison where it’s a male dominated area. When she arrives home she is completely drained of energy. In one passage, she states, “Sometimes they take so long to dry I just sit down on the floor in front of the dryer and read the paper, cause I’m too tired to go back out to the couch.” (Straight, paragraph 102). This reminds me when my sister and I wouldn’t do the laundry and my mom would ask us to do it. At first I hated having done this tedious chore. But after a while I got used to it. Clarette, never considered asking her children to do such a thing. She confronts all her life’s obstacles without giving up. Clarette accepts her life the way it is and tries to better her children’s. She describes in cool terms the tattoos of all the different ethnic gangs in the Youth Authority Facility. She is very resigned to thee path the inmates are facing, referring to them as fools. Clarette doesn’t seem to say this because of hatred. She considers them confused, a product of their environment, but also as individuals who need to wake up and see the reality around them. Clarette is just tired, and she just can't bring herself to get too involved but in an ironic twist she will get hurt and cut, stopping a fight at the end of the story. Immediately after this event she goes back into her monitoring station, sits down and begins looking for an Upright piano for her son.  In this image of Clarette, there is no dwelling on what happened to her or how she might have gotten injured, she just continues working. Most people would have resigned, I know I would have. This is the irony of her story, she is tired, but she can’t stop. Clarette’s personal struggles make me ponder if she will ever live a tranquil life. And find someone to love and settle down. Because she sees how other’s lives are falling apart, can she ever find the balance between her responsibilities as a prison guard and as a mother?