A Look Into the Texts of Summer Semester July 27, 2009

1. Shepard, Sam. True West. Samuel French, Inc. New York, 1981. • This was my favorite text of the semester because of its deep emotions and controversies that it brought up. I felt like it was going to be a typical boring play, but the raw and twisted characters came out and really kept my [...]

Using John Berger’s Ideas of Perception in “Ways of Seeing” and Applying it to William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and Leslie Marmon Silko’s “Yellow Woman” July 26, 2009

“It is seeing which establishes our place in the surrounding world; we explain that world with words, but words can never undo the fact that we are surrounded by it” (Berger 7).  In John Berger’s book, Ways of Seeing, Berger looks into the way people view the world and how that impacts them in their [...]

Transformation in “True West” by Sam Shepard July 26, 2009

True West is a play by Sam Shepard which describes the rivalry between two brothers who have been reconnected.  Austin, the younger of the brothers, seems to have his life established as an aspiring screenwriter with a wife and kids, and returns to his childhood hometown to house-sit for his mother.  Lee appears to be [...]

“Ways of Seeing” by John Berger and the Concept of Perception July 25, 2009

Ways of Seeing by John Berger discusses the ideas of perception with examples using portraits, photographs and film.  His use of these basic images signifies the images of the world.  Subsequently his explanations about viewing an image can be applied in everyday life when viewing scenery or looking at a person. Berger opens by explaining [...]

“Riders to the Sea” by J.M. Synge and Understanding Maurya Through Her Emotions July 25, 2009

Riders to the Sea by J.M Synge discusses the struggles of a family in dealing with death.  This play takes place in Ireland.  This location is important because Ireland is an island and this creates isolation and gives power to the sea to create such isolation.  Throughout the play, Maurya comes to terms with her [...]

Connection of Characters In “Brokeback Mountain” by Annie Proulx et. al. July 25, 2009

The story “Brokeback Mountain” by Annie Proulx is about the connection between two men as they enter adulthood at the age of 20.  Ennis starts out as the character with his life together with a fiancé back home, while Jack seems to be the traveler with nothing stable.  Although these characters seem very different, they [...]

Looking Into the Influence of Others Using “Where I’m Calling From” by Raymond Carver July 25, 2009

Raymond Carver’s Where I’m Calling From is a collection of short stories that provide an overview of Carver’s life.  His use of simple language and known vocabulary make the situations more relatable to the reader.   “Fat” and “Little Things” are a couple of the stories which go into the influence of other people in one’s [...]

“Macbeth” by William Shakespeare and the Fall From Heroism July 25, 2009

The first half of the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare describes how Macbeth falls from his role as a hero.  Macbeth learns nothing from the haunting and guilt he feels and gets himself into more of a dilemma.  In the second half of the play, Macbeth reveals his true weakness and tragic flaw of desire [...]

“Ceremony” by Leslie Marmon Silko and the Clash of Cultures July 25, 2009

The book Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko describes the struggles of a man, Tayo, who is half Native American, half white.  Trying to fit into one culture while being attached to another leaves him lost and confused.  Another problem Tayo faces is the trauma that he experiences after going to war and having to deal [...]

“Macbeth” by William Shakespeare in Kingsmen Park July 25, 2009

The play Macbeth by William Shakespeare takes place during the middle Ages in Scotland. The main character Macbeth shows his loyalty to the king after aiding in a battle. When travelling home with Banquo, they both learn of their fates. Macbeth will be first deemed thane of Cawdor and eventually king, while Banquo’s heirs will [...]