The Human Stain

My first reaction to reading the human stain was confusion. I was confused by how the professor worked to be in his position and lost it, and more confused on what Bill Clintons affair had to do with that(as we looked at in class). As i read on into the chapter, i was almost frustrated that a job could be taken away by someone for whoever manipulated something and interpreted it as a racial slur, when that was clearly not the professors intent. It is both confusing and interesting how individuals personal lives, and mistakes within their personal morals or belief could ruin everything for someone, even if these different opinions have nothing to do with the work that is actually being done itself.

Gastby

In the first couple of chapters of The Great Gatsby,  there is a clear underline "connection" within the characters we meet. Continuously, there is a concentration on the fondness of money and the ideals of class and how that comes into play for Gatsby. Gatsby talks about where he came from  and where he wants to be, what his goals are. He wants to "fit in" with the group of high class. In this class of people, the characteristics of Myrtle can be seen as actions that sum up the ones of her high class friends. She gets complimented on her dress, acts as if its surprising because its something old to her, and then rejects it out of her slightly snooty attitude. This quality is one that can be seen in a variation of ways within multiple characters in the first few chapters and on, its all about class.

Swimming

Sliding my little feet onto the metal steps i had never been so nervous before. My feet were soon to touch the cold and  dark body of water, something i had been dreading for longer than any of the other campers. Slowly making my way into the mysterious liquid of the lake, i prayed my feet wouldn't touch the seaweed resting at the bottom of what i wished was warm sand. At our best efforts in attempting to stay afloat, my friends and I were in this together. It was the annual swimming test at Long Lake summer camp, we all had to pass if we wanted do any water activities. I saw our lifeguard bring his red tool to his lips, and i knew it was time to show my skills. Swimming back and fourth from dock to dock as fast as i could in my one-peice, i was sure i impressed. Next, we all had to tred water for 3 minutes. I could feel my body getting closer and closer to the bottom, my biggest fear of all. As I could not hold myself up as high, my foot reached the leaches and sea monsters i knew were at the bottom of the lake. I let out a scream, but was determined to finish my swimming test. The water may not have been remotely close to paradise, or even close to clear water swimming at all. In fact, my experience was probably more dreadful than anything else. Regardless of how painful feeling the seaweed on my feet was that day, what mattered was that i passed the aiming test.

Power

In the Storm, The chrysanthemums and Pauls choice there is a clear struggle for the main characters to fight social society in different time periods. In the storm, a form of power is gained within the main character, a female, through her ability to create desire. She knows that a man from her past wants her for her body, and because of this she feels an element of control over him. This 'control' becomes her sure of power which she was unable to find elsewhere. In the Chrysanthemums, the main character, also female, finds an artificial power within her ability to garden. A salesman pretends that he is interested in her abilities to garden and, because of this she feel a sense of power. Never gotten the interest of attention before, artificial or not, this is her short term "power". Lastly, in Pauls choice, the main character, Paul is trying to escape social society, in return for how he doesn't "fit into" the mold. He finds power in his ability to block people out, and at the end of the story he finds the "great escape" from the uncontrolled limitation of society.

The chrysanthemums

The main character, a female, struggles with the sexist opinions and views which hold her back from doing what she wishes in life.  Wanting to work as a male would in her time, she is quickly rejeted as this idea of hers is surfaced. In return to this rejection, she runs away and attempts to get away from the common view in society. As this is clearly impossible to escape she soon returns home. With her arrival, she unsuccessfully runs away from this problem and difference in opinion has bothered her the most. Succumbing to society she falls back into the normal pattern of a woman in her time, a reality check of the ideal she can not escape from.

Pauls Choice

Throughout Pauls Choice, the description of Pauls life and how he interacts with others is a key point towards why he commits suicide.  It is clear that Paul has mental struggles but unclear of how he can be helped, and more unclear what he will do to escape his problems. Paul is trying to run away from his life and the lack of interest or love he feels. He is well off, and on the outside may seem to live a life of normal standards. Eventually the reader can identify that Paul doesn't feel enough reason to live, he doesn't value the things he has or any aspect of his life enough to dominate his depression. You could view his suicide as a "success" in his desire to escape, although this was not the only way out of Pauls problems.

The yellow wallpaper- what is the form of rebellion?

In the yellow wallpaper the biggest form of rebellion for the wife is a combination of two things. Continuously, the wife secretly writes letters and stories when her husband isn't watching. In this time period, the way that women rebel is by going against tradition or the normal guidelines for what a housewife should be doing.  Throughout the story the wife is getting sick, and looses even more of the ability to do things on her own or take care of herself. She doesn't necessarily want to be taken care of but, she also doesn't have much of a choice. Her way of rebellion is writing, which she can't keep from her husband for long.