Explain the difficulty of life yet stressing its essential sweetness and desirability. What sweetness? Flowers in the spring, the glory and fulfilment of human life, a bird-song at evening--you know very well what I mean.
Importance
This dialogue, between the narrator and his soul, Joe, exemplifies the tone throughout the book. The conversations that the narrator has with his soul are completely nonrealistic and even humorous, and that idea is repeated throughout. When the narrator talks to the police officers for the first time and when the narrator talks to the mysterious man beside the road (Martin Funnicane), the conversations are all bizarre yet entertaining. This passage shows that the narrator has no objection at all to the idea of basically talking to himself. His nonchalant attitude is indicative of the mood of the novel.
Analysis
Joe asks the narrator to talk about what he calls the "sweetness" of life. His description of this supposed sweetness, however, is said in a robotic tone that is ironic. Joe describes things that can be appreciated by humans and can be exclusively perceived by human senses, yet he says these things as if he were a machine. This shows that Joe is not an organic part of the narrator but instead one that is artificial and purely fictional; he does not have the same capabilities of a human so he will always be inferior to the narrator.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
The Third Policeman 2
Never before had I believed or suspected that I had a soul but just then I knew I had. I knew also that my soul was friendly, was my senior in years and was solely concerned for my own welfare. For convenience I called him Joe.
Importance
This is the section of the book where the narrator's insanity is first apparent. Although he had been talking to a man he had killed, the narrator's conversation with Mathers can be written off as some kind of hallucination or dream. In this section, however, the narrator gives a part of himself a name different from his own. This soul character is not based on an actual character, like Mathers, but is instead completely invented. It is this complete departure from any kind of reality that alerts the reader that the narrator is no longer in his right mind.
Analysis
The first two sentences of this quote have multiple clauses and sections. The narrator also is treating the subject with a sense of seriousness in the first two sentences so the reader also feels a sense of seriousness. The last sentence, however, is abrupt and contains only one section. This change of syntactical style lends a humorous mood and shows the reader that this section will be absurd. The fact that the narrator named his soul, a part of him that is apparently authoritative, the simple name "Joe" also is humorous. The style reflected in this passage sets the tone for the rest of the chapter.
Importance
This is the section of the book where the narrator's insanity is first apparent. Although he had been talking to a man he had killed, the narrator's conversation with Mathers can be written off as some kind of hallucination or dream. In this section, however, the narrator gives a part of himself a name different from his own. This soul character is not based on an actual character, like Mathers, but is instead completely invented. It is this complete departure from any kind of reality that alerts the reader that the narrator is no longer in his right mind.
Analysis
The first two sentences of this quote have multiple clauses and sections. The narrator also is treating the subject with a sense of seriousness in the first two sentences so the reader also feels a sense of seriousness. The last sentence, however, is abrupt and contains only one section. This change of syntactical style lends a humorous mood and shows the reader that this section will be absurd. The fact that the narrator named his soul, a part of him that is apparently authoritative, the simple name "Joe" also is humorous. The style reflected in this passage sets the tone for the rest of the chapter.
Friday, February 27, 2009
The Third Policeman 1
I was about sixteen then and the date was the seventh of March. I still think that day is the most important in my life and can remember it more readily than I do my birthday. The book was the first edition of Golden Hours with the last two pages missing. By the time I was nineteen and had reached the end of my education I knew that the book was valuable and that in keeping it I was stealing it. Nevertheless I packed it in my bag without a qualm and would probably do the same if I had my time again. Perhaps it is important in the story I am going to tell to remember that it was for de Selby I committed my first serious sin. It was for him that I committed my greatest sin.
Importance
The narrator spends a large portion of his time reading the works of de Selby this is where he first discusses reading the de Selby's works. He also says that he committed his "greatest sin" for de Selby, and because admits to being involved in a murder in the first sentence of the novel, it can be inferred that he kills someone in the name of de Selby. This passage is important because the narrator states that it is important.
Analysis
The narrator recalls the date on which he first read de Selby more easily than he recalls his own birthday. This comparison of the dates of his life shows that the narrator puts the works of de Selby before himself. When the narrator says that he sinned "without a qualm" and would repeat the action given the chance, he is foreshadowing the actions of the future, where he kills a person and shows little remorse. He has a nonchalant tone about crime the petty crime he commits, and that acts as an indicator of his nonchalant response to murder. The narrator also uses short sentences to show that he is very matter-of-fact about the whole situation and does not let his emotions interfere with his actions.
Importance
The narrator spends a large portion of his time reading the works of de Selby this is where he first discusses reading the de Selby's works. He also says that he committed his "greatest sin" for de Selby, and because admits to being involved in a murder in the first sentence of the novel, it can be inferred that he kills someone in the name of de Selby. This passage is important because the narrator states that it is important.
Analysis
The narrator recalls the date on which he first read de Selby more easily than he recalls his own birthday. This comparison of the dates of his life shows that the narrator puts the works of de Selby before himself. When the narrator says that he sinned "without a qualm" and would repeat the action given the chance, he is foreshadowing the actions of the future, where he kills a person and shows little remorse. He has a nonchalant tone about crime the petty crime he commits, and that acts as an indicator of his nonchalant response to murder. The narrator also uses short sentences to show that he is very matter-of-fact about the whole situation and does not let his emotions interfere with his actions.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Leaves of Grass 7
Walt Whitman, an American, one of the roughs, a kosmos / Disorderly fleshy and sensual....eating drinking and breeding, / No sentimentalist....no stander above men and women or apart from them....no more modest than immodest. / Unscrew the locks from the doors! / Unscrew the doors themselves from their jambs!
Importance
This is the first time Whitman addresses himself by name. Because he uses a name that was given to him (instead of choosing one himself), Whitman shows that he is, like other people, bound to the rules of society. In addition, by using his name, he is showing that while he has achieved some degree of success in life, he is no different from the people with whom he inhabits the planet. The end of the quote shows a change in style and so marks a change in theme. He had been describing reality earlier in the poem, but now he is deconstructing it.
Analysis
Whitman refers to himself in the third person, which is different from the more informal first person. This can either show a detachment from his body or a kind of self-awareness. I believe that he is becoming self-actualized. He is describing himself in terms of earthly identities (his nationality) and human identities (fundamental actions like eating and reproducing). Because he has finally come to a conclusion that he can exist as both of these things at once, he has conquered reality. Toward the end, he tells the reader to take apart their doors, and by doing this, he is trying to articulate his understanding of the relationship between humans, their constructions, and nature. He no longer wants to preserve social development and this shows that he wants to return to a life without the constraints of doors (and the people that make them). This is Whitman rebelling. He also tells the reader he is no different from any other person, showing his commitment to parts of him that are common to other people.
Importance
This is the first time Whitman addresses himself by name. Because he uses a name that was given to him (instead of choosing one himself), Whitman shows that he is, like other people, bound to the rules of society. In addition, by using his name, he is showing that while he has achieved some degree of success in life, he is no different from the people with whom he inhabits the planet. The end of the quote shows a change in style and so marks a change in theme. He had been describing reality earlier in the poem, but now he is deconstructing it.
Analysis
Whitman refers to himself in the third person, which is different from the more informal first person. This can either show a detachment from his body or a kind of self-awareness. I believe that he is becoming self-actualized. He is describing himself in terms of earthly identities (his nationality) and human identities (fundamental actions like eating and reproducing). Because he has finally come to a conclusion that he can exist as both of these things at once, he has conquered reality. Toward the end, he tells the reader to take apart their doors, and by doing this, he is trying to articulate his understanding of the relationship between humans, their constructions, and nature. He no longer wants to preserve social development and this shows that he wants to return to a life without the constraints of doors (and the people that make them). This is Whitman rebelling. He also tells the reader he is no different from any other person, showing his commitment to parts of him that are common to other people.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Leaves of Grass 6
Smile O voluptuous coolbreathed earth! / Earth of the slumbering and liquid trees! / Earth of the departed sunset! Earth of the mountains misty-topt! / Earth of the vitreous pour of the full moon just tinged with blue! / Earth of the shine and dark mottling the tide of the river! / Earth of the limpid gray of clouds brighter and clearer for my sake! / Far-swooping elbowed earth! Rich apple-blossomed earth! / Smile, for your lover comes! / Prodigal! you have given me love!...therefore I to you give love! / O unspeakable passionate love! / Thruster holding me tight and that I hold tight! / We hurt each other as the bridgeroom and bride hurt each other.
Importance
In this section, Whitman moves away from the idea that humans are all connected and instead moves to a topic about being a part of nature. This shows the progression from a line of thinking that is confined to the boundaries of the mind to a line of thinking that is not bound by anything except the universe. This section also contains different syntax and punctuation patterns so it draws the readers attention away from the stanzas that end in periods instead of exclamation points. The change of voice to one that is excited and enthralled enough to use more emotion signifies that this is an area to which attention should be paid.
Analysis
Whitman starts this with an apostrophe, which is different from how he previously addressed the earth. Because he is speaking directly to it, he is showing a kind of relationship with it and introduces the new idea of being a part of the earth itself. Each line starts the same way which shows the speakers increasing excitement as he uses vivid imagery to beautifully describe the varied aspects of nature. At the end he says that he and the earth hurt each other as a husband and wife do, so that shows his belief of the fine line between love and violence; Whitman may be "married" to the earth (i.e. bound to it forever) and he does love it, but he also hurts it as all humans must. Earth reacts by also hurting men, through natural disasters and other events. He also refers to the earth as "prodigal" so this can be a reference to the Prodigal son. While the word itself means "money-squandering", Whitman can use it to mean "leaving and then returning". Whitman's unconditional love toward nature in this section marks a change in the poem's overall tone.
Importance
In this section, Whitman moves away from the idea that humans are all connected and instead moves to a topic about being a part of nature. This shows the progression from a line of thinking that is confined to the boundaries of the mind to a line of thinking that is not bound by anything except the universe. This section also contains different syntax and punctuation patterns so it draws the readers attention away from the stanzas that end in periods instead of exclamation points. The change of voice to one that is excited and enthralled enough to use more emotion signifies that this is an area to which attention should be paid.
Analysis
Whitman starts this with an apostrophe, which is different from how he previously addressed the earth. Because he is speaking directly to it, he is showing a kind of relationship with it and introduces the new idea of being a part of the earth itself. Each line starts the same way which shows the speakers increasing excitement as he uses vivid imagery to beautifully describe the varied aspects of nature. At the end he says that he and the earth hurt each other as a husband and wife do, so that shows his belief of the fine line between love and violence; Whitman may be "married" to the earth (i.e. bound to it forever) and he does love it, but he also hurts it as all humans must. Earth reacts by also hurting men, through natural disasters and other events. He also refers to the earth as "prodigal" so this can be a reference to the Prodigal son. While the word itself means "money-squandering", Whitman can use it to mean "leaving and then returning". Whitman's unconditional love toward nature in this section marks a change in the poem's overall tone.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Leaves of Grass 5
The city sleeps and the country sleeps, / The living sleep for their time....the dead sleep for their time, / The old husband sleeps by his wife and the young husband sleeps by his wife / And these one and all tend inward to me, and I tend outward to them, / And such as it is to be of these more or less I am.
Importance
This section follows an extremely long section about people doing things that typically relate to their identity (eg prostitutes dragging their clothing and a crowd of men laughing at them). Because each of the people described his completely unrelated to the previous person, this section is totally different. Whitman instead talks about people in relation to each other and the connectedness that binds them. Because the structure and theme is so different, the reader is forced to pay closer attention to it and that emphasizes Whitman's intention.
Analysis
Whitman utilizes parallel structure to give more emphasis to the connectedness of the humans he is describing. Instead of the random descriptions of human activity, these people are all bound by the common thread of humanity. In the last line, Whitman says "And such as it is to be of these more or less I am". By directly addressing himself, Whitman is no longer an independent observer but instead a part of them as well. Whitman also revisits the topic of life and death. Because the dead "sleep for a time", he is again denying that death is permanent. By saying the same thing in relation to life, he is also denying that life is permanent, showing the inherent equality of the two states.
Importance
This section follows an extremely long section about people doing things that typically relate to their identity (eg prostitutes dragging their clothing and a crowd of men laughing at them). Because each of the people described his completely unrelated to the previous person, this section is totally different. Whitman instead talks about people in relation to each other and the connectedness that binds them. Because the structure and theme is so different, the reader is forced to pay closer attention to it and that emphasizes Whitman's intention.
Analysis
Whitman utilizes parallel structure to give more emphasis to the connectedness of the humans he is describing. Instead of the random descriptions of human activity, these people are all bound by the common thread of humanity. In the last line, Whitman says "And such as it is to be of these more or less I am". By directly addressing himself, Whitman is no longer an independent observer but instead a part of them as well. Whitman also revisits the topic of life and death. Because the dead "sleep for a time", he is again denying that death is permanent. By saying the same thing in relation to life, he is also denying that life is permanent, showing the inherent equality of the two states.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Leaves of Grass 4
They are alive and well somewhere; / The smallest sprout shows there is really no death, / And if ever there was it led forward life, and does not wait at the end to arrest it, / And ceased the moment life appeared.
Importance
Following his discussion on his growing older and transition from a young man to an old one, or at least a middle aged one, Whitman dedicates a few passages to the confrontation of his own mortality. This progression from fear of getting older in previous sections to his acceptance, and yet simultaneous denial, of death shows the speaker's growth and increasing maturity. He thinks about death in an abstract fashion, so he is gaining the mental capacity of a rational adult instead of one of a child. Although he is growing older, he is growing wiser.
Analysis
Whitman is establishing a grass motif early on in the poem. He uses the existence of a blade of grass as proof against the idea of full and absolute death. The fact that he uses grass, one of the smallest visible life forms, for the metaphor shows his belief that life does not only exist in the complexity that is humanity but also the simplicity that is a single spear of grass. Previously in the poem, he talks about how grass is the "uncut hair of graves", so he could be saying that people live because their bodies fertilize the ground after they die, and lead to the production and nourishment of new life. Because death "lead forward life", he shows his understanding of the life cycle, that without death life cannot exist. However, its only purpose is to perpetuate life, because death "ceases the moment life appears". As soon as someone's legacy leads to the birth of something else, they are no longer dead but instead live inside that new creation.
Importance
Following his discussion on his growing older and transition from a young man to an old one, or at least a middle aged one, Whitman dedicates a few passages to the confrontation of his own mortality. This progression from fear of getting older in previous sections to his acceptance, and yet simultaneous denial, of death shows the speaker's growth and increasing maturity. He thinks about death in an abstract fashion, so he is gaining the mental capacity of a rational adult instead of one of a child. Although he is growing older, he is growing wiser.
Analysis
Whitman is establishing a grass motif early on in the poem. He uses the existence of a blade of grass as proof against the idea of full and absolute death. The fact that he uses grass, one of the smallest visible life forms, for the metaphor shows his belief that life does not only exist in the complexity that is humanity but also the simplicity that is a single spear of grass. Previously in the poem, he talks about how grass is the "uncut hair of graves", so he could be saying that people live because their bodies fertilize the ground after they die, and lead to the production and nourishment of new life. Because death "lead forward life", he shows his understanding of the life cycle, that without death life cannot exist. However, its only purpose is to perpetuate life, because death "ceases the moment life appears". As soon as someone's legacy leads to the birth of something else, they are no longer dead but instead live inside that new creation.
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