The Hated Hugh

Hugh is constantly referred to as admirable. However, only the women hold Hugh highly (except Sally). Peter, who possesses no negative view of anyone else, notes that those who are "battering the brains of a girl out in a train do less harm on the whole than Hugh Whitbread and his kindness"(Woolf 173).  This bold statement is brutal but does not seem to hold much weight because the concept of kindness causing harm is paradoxical. The men see him as completely priggish, yet a negative effect of Hugh's acts cannot be found. Although I struggle to find the true issue, I suspect that they hold a strong dislike for Hugh because he perpetuates the stereotype of the British upperclassman. (Sally, being a radical, partially resented the rich English society and, therefore Hugh.) His continuance of a rich stereotype explains the reactions of the women including Lady Bruton and Clarissa. All of them enjoy the feeling of high society. Hugh's mannerisms represent that society so their association with him makes them feel accepted in the upper class. For example, the older women at the party end up "thinking themselves quite forgotten," but then they find "dear Hugh driving up and spending an hour talking" (Woolf 173). The metaphor of the women being brought back into the atmosphere of the party by talking to Hugh represents how he makes the women to feel connected with the upper class because he embodies the privileged man with perfect manners and an air of wealth.

Rezia

Regent Park

Lucrezia's lament for her life, page sixty five, pulls details from her surroundings that remind her of everything troubling. When a child "[runs] full tilt into her...and burst[s] out crying," she finds it comforting (Woolf 65). This comfort is short-lived, however, because Septimus will not have a child with her. The motherly nature can only be exercised on children that happen to cross her path and will leave just as quickly as the "child ran straight back to its nurse" (Woolf 65). A positivity associated with caring for the little girl immediately deteriorates into remembrance of Septimus and his refusal: negativity. As though the lack of a child to love is not enough of a burden, the everyday scene of "the broad path, the nurse, the man in grey, the perambulator" forces her to realize her vulnerability (Woolf 65). She is in a foreign country with a husband unable to comfort her despite the fact that it is his domain, not hers. The stress of her life results in a pessimistic mindset at the park, and superficial setting details and common occurrences are transformed into reminders of Rezia's suffering. It reminds me of just having a bad day when the weight of life seems to hang over you like a stalking cloud; nothing relieves without an embrace of optimism. The nature of Rezia's frequent laments leads me to believe she may be the embodiment of Woolf's spells of severe depression. There is no way a person could feel like that in Regent's Park.

Can't Disobey a Rule that Doesn't Exist

Although the essay on Gary Soto's piece might not be included in this week's discussions, the rewrite was this week. I came across an underlying irony in revising my essay: Soto must retain the moral that stealing is wrong in order to experience the guilt he craves. After stealing, he still asks the rhetorical question regarding the howling in his plumbing, "Was it God?" (Soto 80). Despite defying God, he still feels like it could be Him that is speaking to him through the pipes under his house in the "cool shadows" (Soto 79). This provides a contrast of the darkness under the house versus the light associated with the potential divinity that exists there. Even in the darkness of Soto's refuge from blame, a shred of holiness exists fighting to get through to him. Also, Soto retains the religious feelings like the gaze of God that makes up the "glare of the pie tin" (Soto 86). The glare is what convinces him to take refuge then greets him as he emerges. This before and after appearance of God's gaze serves to exemplify how Soto will keep some religious influences before his sin and after regardless of what occurs in between because of the nature of his guilty pleasure. He must embrace part of the rules of Christianity in order to gain pleasure through breaking them. Otherwise, he would have no guilt and no exhilaration.

Ethinc Food Fetishes

The cultural applications of "Fish Cheeks" by Amy Tan are very prevalent; however, I found the basic topic of ethnic foods intriguing. Tan describes her ethnic food in the way the typical white American, played by Robert, would: "appalling mounds of raw food"(Tan). She had squid that "resembled bicycle tires," tofu that "looked like stacked wedges of rubbery white sponges," and "slimy rock cod" (Tan). Her negative diction describing her own ethnic food derives from the fact that she is only thinking of how Robert will see their food and culture. In truth, those were all of her favorite foods. This contrast in how cultures view their own ethnic food compared to how they view other cultures' got me thinking. According to the European Food Information Council (EUFIC), food preferences are based on more than taste and appearance. In fact, the most important thing is how we experience the food. When food is associated with a positive experience like sugary cake and ice cream on a birthday, it is more likely a person will enjoy that type of food and similar flavors. The opposite is true for food associated with negative experiences like an argument over dinner. In addition to associations with experiences, food preferences and aversions are influenced by exposure to food, even prenatally. Through repeated exposure to specific foods, taste preferences to them are often developed. Also, there exists an innate neophobia, fear of new food (EUFIC). Although neophobia is often easy to overcome for older children and adults, these concepts may explain another influence on Amy and Robert's Christmas Eve dinner.

Mairs's Maze

In her essay "Disability," Nancy Mairs constructs a maze from preconceived notions all the way to her thesis. Each concept she presents acts as a fork which must be interpreted the right way otherwise it will lead to a dead end that forces some backtracking to get back to the true point of her essay. Mairs opens with a description of herself as "crippled with multiple sclerosis" and "easy to spot in even in a crowd" because of her "peculiar gait." This description can be said to appeal for sympathy. However, Mairs is really trying to establish her ethos to discuss disability in general. This is apparent in her use of the blunt word "peculiar" with its negative connotations to describe herself. Also, Mairs’s criticism of the medical drama must be seen to derive from the character of “Ms. MS” rather than her actions. The real issue she has is that there is no depiction of the able side of the woman with MS even though it is there. Mairs reveals it is there with her catalogue of her activities as “Ms. Great American Consumer” because she “drive[s] a car,” “eat[s] pizza,” and “menstruate[s]” which hints at the true criticism through an association of basic, ordinary activities and disability. By following the correct interpretations, Mairs’s thesis can be realized. The media’s lack of reality regarding disability imperils the temporarily able bodied as well as alienates the disabled.

 

Tribute to F. Scott Fitzgerald

Please note as you read that this is intended to be entirely satirical and ironic in order to reveal the flaws of Lindner's thinking.

I do not understand. Neither can I comprehend the thoughts of these people. There is a reason they cannot come into our neighborhood. Democracy has truly failed in the allowance of color in a white neighborhood. Clybourne Park will be tarnished and our families defiled. I humble myself to enter under their roof offering them "financial gain," and they, blinded by their pride, do not see the generosity of my offer (Hansberry 118). Their appalling lack of sense is not something I can permit to be contracted by my children. "[R]ace prejudice simply doesn't enter into it" (Hansberry 118). My sole intention is to promote happiness. "[O]ur Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities," and I cannot be responsible for any unhappiness or dangers of their decision (Hansberry 118). I am not sure they comprehend the generosity of our offer and the wealth it can bring them both economically. They could escape their small ghetto to a larger and nicer house if they only had the common sense and aspirations. I was respectful and courteous in both my demeanor and offer. I simply cannot understand the shortsightedness. The repercussions of their decision cannot be linked to me in any way.

The Longest Blog

In his satirical short story, "Diamond as Big as the Ritz," Fitzgerald demonstrates how materialism corrupts through his use of rhetoric including tone, diction, and irony. Once upon a time, there was a great secluded wonderland amidst Montana's share of the Rockies where all were waited on hand and foot. If desired Braddock Washington, any of his family, or even John Unger, his guest, could summon Moses to retrieve an army of pink elephants within the hour. This is the world that Fitzgerald creates in his short story: "a sort of floating fairy-land" (Fitzgerald 82). The great fairy-land is really a satire to depict the flaws of materialism. The satirical tone that pervades the piece is perpetuated with the lavish details that Fitzgerald never ceases to divulge. For example, Fitzgerald describes "an exquisite château [rising] from the borders of the lake" (82), "a large cavity" (93) in which the Washingtons keep prisoner everyone threatening the secret existence of their estate, and an "entire force of negroes" (98). These details all defy logic and are quite frankly ridiculous. The pretentious diction adds to the satire. It is as though an egotistical billionaire is bragging to millionaires. Fitzgerald uses the word "château" instead of mansion or house; he uses the description "a wreath of mignonettes" (90) instead of a ring of flowers in order to enforce the pretentious atmosphere that the Washingtons live in and abide by. In that way, Fitzgerald shows the corruption of character through materialism. On top of that, the irony is overpowering. The ownership of slaves by someone so rich they could pay for servants without care is absurd; the diamond that the Washingtons own is so large that were they to spend it, it would be worth practically nothing compared to a small fraction of it. Also, the diamond is "wired" (111), so when the airplanes break through the defenses, the remaining Washingtons commit suicide inside of it. The materialistic corruption is exemplified through the needless frugality in keeping slaves, the illusion of a fantastic diamond despite its worthlessness, and suicide over a worthless diamond. Theses examples are of pure insanity and corruption. Fitzgerald shows that materialism corrupts yesterday, today, and tomorrow.