Journal #8- Novel/Pastiche Titles

1.      I think that Zora Neale Hurston chose the title she did to emphasize one of her primary messages throughout the novel, as well as letting the reader identify with the culture.  I think that the fact that she chose the word "God" to be in her title shows that she wants to display the importance of God in the setting of her novel.  To the people of Eatonville and even those down in the Everglades, God is an important part of their lives.  Although they might not be devout, and go to church every Sunday it is clear that God is someone they turn to in times of need.  This can be clearly seen during the hurricane scene where Hurston quotes her title saying, "They seemed to be staring at the dark, but their eyes were watching God."  Again, I also think that her title relates back to Hurston's view on power.  The fact that the townsfolks' eyes were watching God resembles the relationship between a parent and child.  They seem to be looking to God for an answer, for understanding, realizing that now any power thought to be significant on Earth by men, pales in comparison to the power of God.
2.      An alternative title that Hurston could have used would have been "The Burden of Dreams".  I think that this title would have been more effective in establishing one of Hurston's major themes throughout the story.  The novel fixates around Janie and follows her journey to achieving her dream of finding love, and obtaining freedom.  This proves to be a struggle for Janie who either achieves one or the other, but never both.  I think that this title would also get the reader thinking abstractly, and also raise their curiosity seeing as dreams are typically seen in a positive manner, not as a negative burden.
3.      I have chose "A Call for Change" as my pastiche title.  I chose this title because it relates back to the main source of conflict throughout the novel.  In my pastiche the protagonist, Darryl, has always followed the same path.  He ran from his problems during times of adversity and washed his sorrows away in the form of alcohol.  Throughout the story he remembers his past decisions and becomes filled with remorse and regret.  In the end he vows to change his ways in order to move on in his life and not remain stuck on one aspect of it for the remainder of his life.  

Journal #7 - 3 quotes

Dialect -"Hand me dat wash-rag by dat chair, honey" (5).

     I saw this as a way of the author setting stage early on in terms of letting the reader get to know the main character.  It shows a term of endearment, "honey", which could be used to show that Janie is naturally a kind and loving person.  It also shows the way she speaks, just like all of the other townsfolk of Eatonville, perhaps used to inform the reader of the way the people spoke in that region, or more likely used to show that she comes from a rural backround with little to no education.

Imagery- "Joe noted the scant dozen of shame-faced houses scattered in the sand and palmetto roots and said, "God, they call this a town?"(34)

     I felt that this quote describes the scenery that Joe and Janie entered, while at the same time giving insight to their feelings towards it.  Joe immediately expresses disappointment at the status of the town which is merely a collection of shacks on the sand.  This might show that Joe has a more sophisticated past and is used to higher standards for a town than in the one he is currently observing.  Even the narrator gets in on the act, casting down a dismissive tone on the situation, calling the houses "shame-faced", perhaps a  connection to the people that live in them.

Flashback- "It was a spring afternoon in West Florida. Janie had spent most of the day under a blossoming pear tree in the back yard" (10).

     This quote depicts a tranquil scene in a back yard and really helps develop the setting.  It describes Janie laying underneath a pear tree all day, signifying that her life used to be calm and worry-free.  The fact that the tree is blossoming helps create visuals is true, however it also serves to connect the idea of Janie blossoming into a young woman at the time it was going on.  It says that the pear tree was in the back yard and that that was where Janie spent most of her time, possibly meaning that although Janie was growing into a young woman, she was still wary of the outside world and preferred to stay within the comfortable confines that she was familiar with.

Journal #6- Their Eyes Were Watching God

One of the major issues I had with my pastiche was that it was way too long.  I went around looking for unnecessary sentences or fragments and deleted them.  I was still able to keep my overarching theme intact, as well as eliminate distractions that would deter the reader.  I also went around trying to embellish areas that were lacking description or just confusing in general.  Unfortunately, I didn't receive a letter from the person who edited my rough draft on Friday so I was unable to take into account their views and opinions to better shape my essay.  In all I think my revisions were mostly deleting phrases that were not not necessary and editing word choice so I am hopeful that with another peer editing session I can get some helpful insight on how to improve my paper.

Journal #5- Death pastiche ch.9-10

     Now Johnny began to think about jealousy.  Jealousy, that twisted fiend with the large eyes that lived within every man's heart.  The despicable one who resided in a tunnel, like blinders, unable to to see the larger picture. What would Jealousy have need of outside influences for, what words could ease its sentiments. It lives alone, tormented in its pitiful shell only able to see what it desires. It lives hateful and hidden, with its true emotions set aside, waiting for the subject of scorn to pass out of earshot.  It has been living there for all of man's existence, before they could speak or own. Most likely, he would find a green glint from the foul creature flashing in his eyes pretty soon.  However, he pitied his friend's life.  Poor Denny! He ought not to try and tackle depression in there by himself.  He sent in Lisa to suggest a trip to the park, but Denny said no.  These activities were beneficial to the mildly depressed, but wouldn't do a thing to help him recover from his emotional state.  He wasn't about to cry for any reason.  That was what he truly believed.  But Lisa told him different, so he understood.  And even if she hadn't, the following day he was sure to understand, for friends and family began to gather in the kitchen, next to the refrigerator and the microwave.  Those who had previously never entered the apartment now congregated there freely, but did not enter his room.  Only sat in chairs and waited.  Hope, the soaring eagle of chance, glimmered faintly in the room.

I based my pastiche off of a movie called "The Room" and used its characters and themes to relate to Hurston's writing.  Although this scene never takes place in the movie, it could have very well been added as a prologue.  I followed Hurston's use of personification of an abstract idea, like death, and emulated it using jealousy, a key aspect from the movie.  I went into detail describing jealousy and its interactions with human beings like Hurston, making it easier for the reader to relate to and understand its inner workings and fundamental ideas.  Later I emulated Hurston's switching of focus to a different, but related topic.  Although Johnny is jealous of Denny's carefree lifestyle, he still pities him, understanding his difficult situation of having to come of age with no parents around.  I included a group gathering outside of Denny's room much like Hurston did with the townsfolks, but instead of having the intention of learning the latest gossip, Denny's friends were there to support and comfort him in his time of need.  

Journal #4- Their Eyes Were Watching God ch.7-8

The passage I chose is at the top of page 84, "So Janie began to think... lying in her yard any day now."

In terms of syntax I noticed that Hurston places the word "Death" at different locations in her sentences throughout the passage.  This may have the intention of getting the reader to think about the concept of death and its habit of being unpredictable.  The fact that it doesn't appear in the same spot throughout the passage could allude to the fact that Janie isn't quite sure when death will come to Joe.  As far as word choice goes, I noticed a lot of references to parts of a house.  The passage talks about Death living in a house without sides or a roof, perhaps meaning that death has no reason to conceal itself, nothing can hinder it.  Later it says that Janie was likely to find a "feather from his wings" in her yard soon, as a symbol that death had taken Joe for himself.  These references in the passage to Death's grand house "out west" that "overlooks the world" seem to parallel Joe's life of seeking to be the most powerful man around without him realizing until the end that Death holds a power over all.  The tone in this passage seems very hopeless.  Janie seems to realize the inevitable and is trying to come to terms with it.  The tone is meant to help the reader understand and identify with the struggles that Janie is facing at this time.  A sound device that I recognized in this passage was the repetition of the "w" sound.    "the strange being with the huge square toes who lived way in the west."  I saw this as an expression of Janie's woes and sorrows.  Later on this can be confirmed by the quote on page 84, "She was sad and afraid too".  I take this to mean that Janie, although she had a falling out with Joe near the end, is still sad to see such a big part of her life fade away.  

Journal #3- Their Eyes Were Watching God ch. 5-6

1. "They bowed down to him rather, because he was all of these things, and then again he was all of these things because they bowed down"(50). -paradox
2. "She got up without a word and went off for the shoes. A little war of defense for helpless things was going on inside her. People ought to have some regard for helpless things. She wanted to fight about it"(57). -characterization
3. "Sam Watson, you'se mah fish"(75). -euphemism
4. "Daisy, Ah'll take uh job cleanin' out the Atlantic Ocean fuh you any time you say you so desire"(69). -hyperbole
5. "Dat's whut makes up strong man lak Big John de Conquer. He was uh man wid salt in him"(66). -allusion

In the first quote, the paradox that is used creates a deeper understanding of how the two ideas are intertwined.   The fact that one is the result of the other develops a common theme of success due to assertion and taking action.  Janie wanted a better life and got one because the townsfolk admired Jody's charisma and allowed him to make changes that benefited the town with almost no opposition.  The fact that the people now "bowed down to him", so to speak, is just as significant to the fact that the citizens allowed Jody to run the town and make changes.


For the second quote, the use of characterization through Janie's thoughts really progresses her development and our understanding of her as a reader.  We can now see that she is no longer happy like she thought she'd be with Jody. She feels ignored, and more than that she feels indignant, as though she deserves some attention for the wrong doings that have been done to her.  It creates tension, leaving the reader wondering when her anger will boil over and if so, how it will affect other characters in the story along with the plot itself.

Journal #2 -Their Eyes Were Watching God Ch. 2-4

Dialect Rules of a Texan

1. No matter the gender, race, or age every greeting is the same, "howdy partner"
2. If the word is over three syllables in length, it must be mispronounced
3. common terms for a sudden realization include: "shucks", "shoot", and "Well I'll be"
4. you guys or you all becomes y'all, you becomes ya
5. If one is thankful for something, they express their gratitude by praising baby Jesus
6. If a word ends in an "s", two more are added to the end to emphasize the hissing drawl
7. A good Texan always makes an obscure reference or comparison to something that only another rowdy redneck could understand or relate to.(ex. "Tighter than bark on a tree" = stingy person)
8. anything that ends in -ing becomes in'
9. possessive and contractible apostrophes do not exist

structure from pg. 30

"Sam, is ya 'sleep?" asked Darryl who was staring out into the night sky.
"If I was, you done woke me up hollerin and all!" said Sam indignantly. He'd been in an irritable mood since he lost the poker game earlier in the day.
"I been thinkin'," said Darryl almost sounding as if he were in a trance, "bout you and me."
"Shoot, Darryl, get on with it already!" said Sam impatiently. "You be mighty self-righteous considerin' you ain't nuttin but a ranch hand."
"Well what in Sam Hill is that supposed to mean?" said Darryl sounding hurt and angry at the same time.
"It means ya been acting like a proud peacock ever since I known ya, and ya ain't got no reason for it, said Sam flaring up with spite, You may be from a rich lot over in Dallas, but ya ain't nothin' special in these parts."
"You didn't mention that when you was beggin that I buy you that Winchester repeatin' rifle." Darryl retorted, his face growing redder by the second.
"I figured that you'd appreciate havin' that extra protection, seein that you can't shoot no more than a hog can swim." said Sam with a sly grin stretching across his face.
"Yeah, well what if I done run away and take the rifle 'long with me?"  Darryl had planted the seeds of mistrust in Sam's head.  It frightened Sam greatly, the thought of being out on open fields with no protection from bandits or natives, but he wouldn't let his face show it.
"Shucks, Darryl, I am mighty tired. I ain't gonna talk nonsense with ya no more.  Ain't a lot a folks that would trust ya, specially if Mr. Jones gets word out that one of his hands deserted his post."

Journal #1- Their Eyes Were Watching God Ch.1

From reading the first chapter, it appears that Janie is a downtrodden, weary woman that has endured much hardship and suffering.  She walks into town without a word to anyone and proceeds to isolate herself within her house from a community she's known for years.  Her somber mood can be detected through her conversation with her friend Phoebe.  "Yeah, Phoebe, Tea Cake is gone.  And dat's de only reason you see me back here-cause Ah ain't got nothing to make me happy no more where Ah  was at"(7).  This quote clearly shows Janie's mourning thoughts and feelings that explain why she was acting so distant and aloof towards the others at the beginning of the book.

The narrator appears to be well informed of all the characters' thoughts throughout the chapter.  It gives the reader insight not only to what has happened to the protagonist, Janie, but also how she is perceived by others as well.  "Seeing the woman as she was mad them remember the envy they had stored up from other times. So they chewed up the back parts of their minds and swallowed with relish"(2).  This line reflects the general view of Janie by other women in the town, who have a strong dislike of Janie for whatever reason.  This leaves the reader guessing as to what could have possibly happened to have created that sort of stigma around Janie and keeps them actively engaged.

Post #4- Mini Literary Terms Test

1. "War is Peace.  Freedom is Slavery.  Ignorance is Freedom."(1984)  This sequence is an example of ____
2. "Hand me dat wash-rag on dat chair by you, honey.  Lemme scrub mah feet"(Janie).  The words used in this exert are an example of ____
3. "Then he (the buzzard) took off with ponderous flight and circled and lowered, circled and lowered until the others danced in joy and hunger at his approach." This is an example of ____
4. In Their Eyes Were Watching God the scene where Janie kills Tea Cake could be considered the ____
5.   In 1984, Big Brother can be seen as a _____ for oppression and totalitarianism 

Post #3 - Paradox

Paradox is a sentence or statement that contradicts itself, but can still be interpreted to be true.  In literature, it can be used to provide insight towards an uncommon belief or idea.  It can also be used to analyze a text and discover its reason for being placed there.  In literature there are two types of paradox, particular and general.  Particular paradoxes are short, concise statements that usually involve satire. For instance, the line from 1984, "War is Peace.  Freedom is slavery.  Ignorance is strength.", is an example of particular paradox.  In that line all  three statements seem to contradict themselves, but at the same time invoke a certain wonder as to what each may mean at a deeper level of thought.  General paradox is more complex in both the length of its statement and in the idea actually being discussed.  An example of general paradox can be found in a quote from G.K. Chesterton, an author from the turn of the twentieth century: "An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered".  While the statement may appear to contradict itself, a deeper look at the statement proves that in the author's opinion, the only difference between an adventure and an inconvenience is your own perspective.

Post # 2

A hyperbole is an extreme exaggeration that can be used to describe a person, place, thing, or event.  Authors often use it to stress the significance or general feeling towards a situation.  An example of a hyperbole would be "I've told you a million times not to do that!"  The speaker probably didn't actually tell them one million times, but express their frustration nonetheless to a degree where it is clear that they are fed up with the other person.

Post #1

1.)  The most interesting book to me was Their Eyes Were Watching God.  I thoroughly enjoyed the plot of the book as well as coming across and understanding important themes of the text like finding your way and overcoming adversity in its many forms.  Although the dialogue was immensely difficult to comprehend, I found it very revealing of characters thoughts and feelings in the novel.  Janie's handling of unfair situations, such as being forced to reside within the store in Eatonville, really interested me.  The story followed the life of Janie as she searched for self-worth and an identity. I liked the novel because of those aspects and the fact that I could relate to those aspirations and as a result, gain a deeper understanding of what Janie's thoughts and feelings were.  I thought the concept of an all black town like Eatonville was interesting, especially at how close-knit the communities were and how everyone seemed to know each other and the townspeople got along well for the most part.  In short, the much different, but still American society, greatly grabbed my interest while reading the book.  Prior to reading the book, I knew of the difficulties blacks faced as a community in that time period, but I was made aware of the challenges and cruelty blacks faced from within their own society.

2.)  The Stranger was my least favorite novel out of the three, mainly because of it's apathetic tone.  The main character, Meursault, was very intrinsic and difficult to read.  His emotionless responses that often refrained from choosing a side, made for a dull character in my opinion.  To me, Meursault (who was also the narrator), spent more time describing his surroundings than actually narrating and actually discussing the developments in the story.  Many of the aspects he described, like the funeral procession in the hot sun, seemed to have little or no relevance to the story.  It was very hard to relate to a character that was so emotionally detached and void of personal opinions or beliefs.  However, towards the end of the novel, Meursault's thoughts on facing and accepting death were intriguing, but nonetheless very abstract and deviated far from my own views. 

3.)  Although I never finished my dystopian text, 1984, I was able to read through a good amount of it and understand some key concepts.  Having read other novels by George Orwell, I am familiar with his writing style and more specifically his tendency to incorporate allusions to the Soviet Union and communism.  If I were to write an essay about the book I would focus on the social context of the novel and how the author portrayed their personal attitudes or beliefs toward the subject.  I think that those aspects were important because they were common themes throughout the story that played a role in delivering the messages that Orwell was trying to get across, for example that the masses could be made content through lies and ignorance.  Also, through his writing we are able to identify certain rights and customs that we take for granted living in a democratic society.  I believe it is important for us to understand that although there were many who agreed with Orwell's view on Communism and Totalitarianism, it was by no means accepted throughout the world, and had many supporters at the time the book was written.