Jennifer Luong
Block 4
ECN 1102
February 24, 2010
Opposite Stance: A Lasting Bond
Recitatif is a story of two young girls who share a room in an orphanage. Through their similarities, these girls quickly begin to connect with one another. As they get older, each girl moves to different towns, marries, and have children, and during their lives, the girls continue to meet many times. Near the end of the story, they take opposing sides in a protest to promote racial integration. Although Morrison tells us that one girl is white and the other is black, she never assigns a specific racial identity to either of them. Roberta and Twyla's relationship is determined by their race, power, and social class. Even though these girls cannot change their race or social stance, they always connect through their old friendships and memories.
The girls' relationship is greatly affected by their social status. People can be powerful, and sometimes they are powerless. People with more power do not always treat those who are under them very well. This also applies to the Roberta and Twyla. At the orphanage, Bozo is at the top, then the big girls, then the real orphans who have beautiful dead parents in the sky, and then at the bottom are the dumped kids like Roberta and Twyla. Bellow Roberta and Twyla is Maggie who has a disability and is even picked by Roberta and Twyla. The people who have high power always mistreats those who are under them. This is also displayed when the girls are older and become young women.
When the girls get older, Twyla works at a restaurant and Roberta is traveling to see a famous musician, Jimi Hendrix. During their encounter at the diner, Twyla is looked down upon by Roberta because of her lower social stance. Roberta is at a higher position and wears a halter top, matching shorts, and huge earrings and a lot of makeup. While Twyla wears her waitress uniform hairnet and apron. Twyla is serving food, and Roberta is a customer at the diner. This if very different from when Roberta and Twyla were at the orphanage. At the orphanage they were at the same level, both of them were near the bottom of the hierarchy. When they were that the same social level they understood each other better, got along, and had a great friendship.
When they meet as young women, the balance of power has changed which causes their relationship to change. At the diner, when Twyla is mistreated by Roberta. Twyla says, “I was dismissed without anyone saying goodbye, so I thought I would do it for her.” When Twyla says goodbye provokes Roberta by asking, “How is your mother?” This upset Roberta very much and she leaves angry. Twyla asked that question to put them both on the same level. To bring Roberta back to the orphanage when the two girl were no different from each other. When Twyla and Roberta first meet, they talk about their mothers and bond because of this connection. This is the basis for their friendship at the orphanage. They know that their mothers are a very sensitive topic and it is something sacred they share together. Through out the story when they encounter each other, they continue to ask questions about their mothers and reconnect. When Roberta meets Twyla she asks, “Did your mother ever stop dancing?” and Twyla replies, “No,” and in returns asks, “Did yours ever get well?” and Roberta answers, “She never did.” At each encounter, the girls always bring up their mothers, reconnect on the same level.
At the end of the story, Twyla and Roberta get into a conflict during a protest to promote racial integration. Twyla does not want to speak to Roberta, but Roberta apologizes for what she has said to Twyla about Maggie in the past. Twyla accepts her apology and thanks her. As they are saying goodbye, Twyla brings up their mothers and they two girls reconnect again. Twyla asks “Did I tell you? My mother, she never stopped dancing.” Roberta answers, “You told me. And mine, she never got well.” In the end, even after a conflict, they are still able to connect with each other and have an understanding due to their relationship that they formed at the orphanage when they were children and need each other the most.
Also, in the story, there is a mystery of the girls’ race. Throughout the story, Roberta and twyla's characters develop substantially, but reveals whether Twyla or Roberta was black or white. Morrison suggest that the girls come from different ethnic backgrounds, but many of the traits could be a characteristic of either a black or white girl. This leads the reader to form their own opinion of which character traits belong to a white girl and those that match with a black girl. These important detail motivates the readers to solve the mystery and fill in the missing pieces and complete the story themselves.
Roberta and Twyla race, power, and social class greatly effected their friendship. When they had similar status, the girl bonded quickly and related to one another on a great level, As their social status changed as they got older, their relationship altered. Even though Roberta and Twyla race and status determine their place in society, it was their common bond that always connected them together.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Life Patterns : Crossed Paths
Jennifer Luong
ENC1102
Block 4
February 23, 2010
There are many types of patterns, from the pattern of the Earth's years, months, and days to the pattern of the same routine people go through in their daily jobs that consists of working, eating and sleeping. In the story William struggles to break his pattern of his career, and this pattern that he is in is creating a barrier that disrupts him from truly expressing himself and loving his family to his greatest potential. William's inability to address and conquer what he lacks holds him back from truly expressing himself. Also in the story, Fedaku, William's new friend, is stuck in a pattern that enables him to be with his family. In Flight Patterns, William and Fedaku find themselves at personal and cultural crossroads. These challenges test their loyalties, their limits, and who they are as people and who they love.
Flight Patterns is a very influential yet comical story that will keep the reader entertain throughout the whole story. Since it is written in a third person point of view, the story allows the reader access to William's emotions, thoughts, and memories. By using this format, the reader is required to follow the story more attentively. In addition, Alexie makes the story more interesting by shaping the plot of the story with William's flashbacks and old dreams throughout the story.
Flight Patterns by Sherman Alexie, tells the story of William, a Spokane Indian and traveling salesman. On many occasions he has to leave his wife and daughter for this job. William feels guilty about leaving his wife and young daughter behind while he travels, but parts with them every time despite his unwillingness . In the story, William has created for him self the patterns of an 'obsessive-compulsive workaholic'. He is so stuck in his work pattern that no matter how unwilling he is to leave him family, he always rationalizes with himself and always leaves.
On a particular day, William encounters a taxi driver and the they share stories about their families, hopes, and fears. At first William is skeptical of the taxi driver and has trouble believing if the stories he tells are true or not. The more interesting and captivating his stories get, William becomes more and more fascinated and soon does not care whether the stories are true or not. In the end, the William and Fedaku find common ground because of their experiences and shared laughs. Fedaku tells William about his life pattern that has kept him away from his family. Fedaku's life story is hardly in his hands and the barrier between himself and his family is nearly impossible to overcome. William is very inspired and enlightened by Fedaku. Their strong connection allows Fedaku to William really think about his family and follow his heart. He realizes he is lucky and that he can change is family's fate unlike Fedaku, and William takes this realization and calls his family and express himself to them.
Also, in Flight Patterns, Alexie weaves many stereotypical thoughts and ironies throughout the story. For example, when William explains how wrong it is for white men in the airport to search him saying, “ I am a Native American and therefore have ten thousand more reasons to terrorize the U.S.”. But at the same time, William himself contradicts himself he says tat he wants these men to protect him and the country, but he would not eat dinner with them. Alexie also uses Fedaku as an example of a tragic irony. Fedaku is a runaway Ethiopian. He was a genius that had worked for the government. He had no choice but to work for the government to protect his family and while he worked them them had to kill may innocent people even though it was against his will. However when the current government is overthrown, the new government decided to punish all who worked under the previous dictatorship. Now to save himself and his family, Fedaku has to flee from his country. This is a great tragic irony in story. This irony has helped William open his eyes. William had came to a realization with the help of his new found friend.
I also found Alexie's narrative of the story to be very interesting and unique from what I am used to reading. One of the things I thought was interesting was how the view point played such a big role in the story. It was written in third person, so the reader create their own perceptions of William's thoughts and feeling. His thoughts were sometimes familiar and relatable and at other times provocative but interesting at the same time. The way the story was written at times made it seem that for a moment everything that was happening was paused while the reader explored the narrator’s inner most feelings. Some which at times you could relate and at other times seem outlandish. I thought the view point Alexie choose added a lot of depth to the story. I also found the theme to be very thought controversial and provoking. The writer explored topics such as racism, rage, sexism, terrorism, and many others. What made all of these so familiar and real was that it was written about current historical and impacting events such as September 11th, which was not very long ago. I was shocked when I read,“but shouldn’t every husband seek to objectify his wife at least once a day?” I thought that’s kind of sexist, but at the same time it makes you think. "Flight Patterns" incorporates sexual contents, social context, and the theme of self-identity. The story keeps the reader enthusiastic and thinking. The sexual scenes with William's wife and his thoughts about objectifying this wife brings much conflict. Moreover, the story deals with the huge problem of stereotypes and racial profiling throughout the society. To elaborate, there are several occurrences in which William faces racism and its negative comments. However, he disregards the remarks by laughing and joking about them which he does in a very witty and humorous way.
Most importantly, the story particularly confronts the denial of one’s identity. William's identity crisis and the contrast between his modern lifestyle and his Native Indian culture is very interesting. William, is a very interesting character in the story he changes from an uncompassionate man to a sympathetic character. William is a character that I can identify with. I am constantly changing and struggling to find their own self-identity and can relate in some way with William and the different characters throughout the story. Overall, Flight Patterns prove to be an engaging story with a very important message.
Flight Patterns is a very captivating story. With an engaging plot and relatable characters, Alexie fills the story with humor and real-life controversial topics. The story shows two different people with two different patterns. These patterns cross and William and Fedaku each impact each others lives greatly and positively. Also, because the story is narrated in third person with flashbacks and old dreams it's made the reader and William more connected throughout the story. Having this connection makes the story more interesting. William’s thoughts and insight along with the different themes explored cause the reader to think and analyze each character, major and minor. And explore their lives and different life patterns. William and Fedaku are who different people with different cultures but both lives emphasizes on the importance of family and love. Patterns cross and collide, sometimes unexpectedly, but can greatly impact both courses immensely.
ENC1102
Block 4
February 23, 2010
There are many types of patterns, from the pattern of the Earth's years, months, and days to the pattern of the same routine people go through in their daily jobs that consists of working, eating and sleeping. In the story William struggles to break his pattern of his career, and this pattern that he is in is creating a barrier that disrupts him from truly expressing himself and loving his family to his greatest potential. William's inability to address and conquer what he lacks holds him back from truly expressing himself. Also in the story, Fedaku, William's new friend, is stuck in a pattern that enables him to be with his family. In Flight Patterns, William and Fedaku find themselves at personal and cultural crossroads. These challenges test their loyalties, their limits, and who they are as people and who they love.
Flight Patterns is a very influential yet comical story that will keep the reader entertain throughout the whole story. Since it is written in a third person point of view, the story allows the reader access to William's emotions, thoughts, and memories. By using this format, the reader is required to follow the story more attentively. In addition, Alexie makes the story more interesting by shaping the plot of the story with William's flashbacks and old dreams throughout the story.
Flight Patterns by Sherman Alexie, tells the story of William, a Spokane Indian and traveling salesman. On many occasions he has to leave his wife and daughter for this job. William feels guilty about leaving his wife and young daughter behind while he travels, but parts with them every time despite his unwillingness . In the story, William has created for him self the patterns of an 'obsessive-compulsive workaholic'. He is so stuck in his work pattern that no matter how unwilling he is to leave him family, he always rationalizes with himself and always leaves.
On a particular day, William encounters a taxi driver and the they share stories about their families, hopes, and fears. At first William is skeptical of the taxi driver and has trouble believing if the stories he tells are true or not. The more interesting and captivating his stories get, William becomes more and more fascinated and soon does not care whether the stories are true or not. In the end, the William and Fedaku find common ground because of their experiences and shared laughs. Fedaku tells William about his life pattern that has kept him away from his family. Fedaku's life story is hardly in his hands and the barrier between himself and his family is nearly impossible to overcome. William is very inspired and enlightened by Fedaku. Their strong connection allows Fedaku to William really think about his family and follow his heart. He realizes he is lucky and that he can change is family's fate unlike Fedaku, and William takes this realization and calls his family and express himself to them.
Also, in Flight Patterns, Alexie weaves many stereotypical thoughts and ironies throughout the story. For example, when William explains how wrong it is for white men in the airport to search him saying, “ I am a Native American and therefore have ten thousand more reasons to terrorize the U.S.”. But at the same time, William himself contradicts himself he says tat he wants these men to protect him and the country, but he would not eat dinner with them. Alexie also uses Fedaku as an example of a tragic irony. Fedaku is a runaway Ethiopian. He was a genius that had worked for the government. He had no choice but to work for the government to protect his family and while he worked them them had to kill may innocent people even though it was against his will. However when the current government is overthrown, the new government decided to punish all who worked under the previous dictatorship. Now to save himself and his family, Fedaku has to flee from his country. This is a great tragic irony in story. This irony has helped William open his eyes. William had came to a realization with the help of his new found friend.
I also found Alexie's narrative of the story to be very interesting and unique from what I am used to reading. One of the things I thought was interesting was how the view point played such a big role in the story. It was written in third person, so the reader create their own perceptions of William's thoughts and feeling. His thoughts were sometimes familiar and relatable and at other times provocative but interesting at the same time. The way the story was written at times made it seem that for a moment everything that was happening was paused while the reader explored the narrator’s inner most feelings. Some which at times you could relate and at other times seem outlandish. I thought the view point Alexie choose added a lot of depth to the story. I also found the theme to be very thought controversial and provoking. The writer explored topics such as racism, rage, sexism, terrorism, and many others. What made all of these so familiar and real was that it was written about current historical and impacting events such as September 11th, which was not very long ago. I was shocked when I read,“but shouldn’t every husband seek to objectify his wife at least once a day?” I thought that’s kind of sexist, but at the same time it makes you think. "Flight Patterns" incorporates sexual contents, social context, and the theme of self-identity. The story keeps the reader enthusiastic and thinking. The sexual scenes with William's wife and his thoughts about objectifying this wife brings much conflict. Moreover, the story deals with the huge problem of stereotypes and racial profiling throughout the society. To elaborate, there are several occurrences in which William faces racism and its negative comments. However, he disregards the remarks by laughing and joking about them which he does in a very witty and humorous way.
Most importantly, the story particularly confronts the denial of one’s identity. William's identity crisis and the contrast between his modern lifestyle and his Native Indian culture is very interesting. William, is a very interesting character in the story he changes from an uncompassionate man to a sympathetic character. William is a character that I can identify with. I am constantly changing and struggling to find their own self-identity and can relate in some way with William and the different characters throughout the story. Overall, Flight Patterns prove to be an engaging story with a very important message.
Flight Patterns is a very captivating story. With an engaging plot and relatable characters, Alexie fills the story with humor and real-life controversial topics. The story shows two different people with two different patterns. These patterns cross and William and Fedaku each impact each others lives greatly and positively. Also, because the story is narrated in third person with flashbacks and old dreams it's made the reader and William more connected throughout the story. Having this connection makes the story more interesting. William’s thoughts and insight along with the different themes explored cause the reader to think and analyze each character, major and minor. And explore their lives and different life patterns. William and Fedaku are who different people with different cultures but both lives emphasizes on the importance of family and love. Patterns cross and collide, sometimes unexpectedly, but can greatly impact both courses immensely.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Ch 18 Writing Assignment
The Myth of the Robber Barons Response
In Professor Folsom's lecture, he explains how great business men succeed in the economy. Folsom demonstrates how each businessmen took a product or service that was available to high class citizens because of high cost and made it available to everyone at greatly reduced cost. He uncover how great me worked. Life Cornelius Vanderbilt in the steamship industry, Andrew Carnegie in the steel industry, and John Rockefeller in the oil industry. Great men like previous became extremely wealthy by increasing quality, reducing prices, and contributing to social good.
With the private sectors controlling trade rather than the government, everything works more efficiently and effectively. Folsom explains capitalism can succeed in economic matters where government cannot. The government is a nationalization of force and their major source of income is from enforcing taxation from it's citizens. The government is good at controlling a force and excel in commanding wars. This force is used to protect property and not not very good when it comes to social issues. And when governmental force is used in areas where force is not required like economics, the result will most likely always be negative and very often disastrous. This is the point that Folsom tries to make in this lecture and he succeeds.
The political entrepreneurs generally mistreated their position and government favors, providing high prices, and lower quality goods because government subsidies and privileges made it unnecessary for them to compete more effectively. The political entrepreneurs are the ones who gave capitalism a bad name by requesting these subsidies, convincing governments to grant them monopolies and in result was poor quality products and excessive prices.
In contrast, the market entrepreneurs made their money by taking on the political entrepreneurs and their government advantages and succeeding with cost control and higher quality which allowed them to reduce cost compared to their the monopolists and subsidy while supplying a superior product at a lower price. The market entrepreneurs generally reduced the prices of their products while increasing the quality of them in an attempt to eliminate their competitors. Remarkably when market entrepreneurs won the battle and drove their competitors into bankruptcy, they did not respond as by raising prices for their selfish wants. Instead they continued to cut their costs and cut their prices, while at the same time earning steady profits. Even the most successful businessman, like Rockefeller, never raised the prices of their products back to their earlier levels. Even when they were successful, market entrepreneurs always left the markets they entered with remarkably higher quality and lower prices than when they entered. Folsom's treatment towards entrepreneurs is clearly understood and his unquestionable bias in favor of capitalism does not come across as prejudice, given his clear use of factual evidence and detailed explanation.
Folsom uses Commodore Vanderbilt as an example. Vanderbilt made an enormous fortune by taking on monopolists in both the steamship and railroad industries, in the process making travel for the poor both safer and more affordable. Carnegie made fortunes in the steel industry by producing superior products at lower costs and John D. Rockefeller made one of the greatest fortunes ever by cutting costs thus making petroleum products more affordable to the poor.
Folsom's lecture put a fresh perspective on free enterprise. He uses different examples to illustrate market place innovation and government influence. Folsom points out that the negative attributes of the "robber baron" stereotype apply only to the political entrepreneur, rather than the market entrepreneur. Folsom states that market entrepreneurs should not be labeled as robber barons at all and argues that those who compete by seeking favorable government aids are considered robber barons and those who compete by producing new and better products at lower costs are entrepreneurs and add to the social good. These entrepreneurs create wealth for themselves and others, create new and different jobs, and improve the overall quality of life. Market entrepreneurs were behind the growth of America. As Folsom shows, the market entrepreneurs tended to be more successful and efficient, while political entrepreneurs were usually inefficient and corrupt and only survived by feeding on taxes and special favors from the government which gave them advantages over their market competitors. Folsom divides American businessmen into two categories, political entrepreneurs, who rely on government monopolies, favors, and subsidies in order to succeed, and market entrepreneurs, who succeed only by providing a superior product or service to the consumer at the lowest price. These two groups are very different from each other, and often battle each other.
In Professor Folsom's lecture, he explains how great business men succeed in the economy. Folsom demonstrates how each businessmen took a product or service that was available to high class citizens because of high cost and made it available to everyone at greatly reduced cost. He uncover how great me worked. Life Cornelius Vanderbilt in the steamship industry, Andrew Carnegie in the steel industry, and John Rockefeller in the oil industry. Great men like previous became extremely wealthy by increasing quality, reducing prices, and contributing to social good.
With the private sectors controlling trade rather than the government, everything works more efficiently and effectively. Folsom explains capitalism can succeed in economic matters where government cannot. The government is a nationalization of force and their major source of income is from enforcing taxation from it's citizens. The government is good at controlling a force and excel in commanding wars. This force is used to protect property and not not very good when it comes to social issues. And when governmental force is used in areas where force is not required like economics, the result will most likely always be negative and very often disastrous. This is the point that Folsom tries to make in this lecture and he succeeds.
The political entrepreneurs generally mistreated their position and government favors, providing high prices, and lower quality goods because government subsidies and privileges made it unnecessary for them to compete more effectively. The political entrepreneurs are the ones who gave capitalism a bad name by requesting these subsidies, convincing governments to grant them monopolies and in result was poor quality products and excessive prices.
In contrast, the market entrepreneurs made their money by taking on the political entrepreneurs and their government advantages and succeeding with cost control and higher quality which allowed them to reduce cost compared to their the monopolists and subsidy while supplying a superior product at a lower price. The market entrepreneurs generally reduced the prices of their products while increasing the quality of them in an attempt to eliminate their competitors. Remarkably when market entrepreneurs won the battle and drove their competitors into bankruptcy, they did not respond as by raising prices for their selfish wants. Instead they continued to cut their costs and cut their prices, while at the same time earning steady profits. Even the most successful businessman, like Rockefeller, never raised the prices of their products back to their earlier levels. Even when they were successful, market entrepreneurs always left the markets they entered with remarkably higher quality and lower prices than when they entered. Folsom's treatment towards entrepreneurs is clearly understood and his unquestionable bias in favor of capitalism does not come across as prejudice, given his clear use of factual evidence and detailed explanation.
Folsom uses Commodore Vanderbilt as an example. Vanderbilt made an enormous fortune by taking on monopolists in both the steamship and railroad industries, in the process making travel for the poor both safer and more affordable. Carnegie made fortunes in the steel industry by producing superior products at lower costs and John D. Rockefeller made one of the greatest fortunes ever by cutting costs thus making petroleum products more affordable to the poor.
Folsom's lecture put a fresh perspective on free enterprise. He uses different examples to illustrate market place innovation and government influence. Folsom points out that the negative attributes of the "robber baron" stereotype apply only to the political entrepreneur, rather than the market entrepreneur. Folsom states that market entrepreneurs should not be labeled as robber barons at all and argues that those who compete by seeking favorable government aids are considered robber barons and those who compete by producing new and better products at lower costs are entrepreneurs and add to the social good. These entrepreneurs create wealth for themselves and others, create new and different jobs, and improve the overall quality of life. Market entrepreneurs were behind the growth of America. As Folsom shows, the market entrepreneurs tended to be more successful and efficient, while political entrepreneurs were usually inefficient and corrupt and only survived by feeding on taxes and special favors from the government which gave them advantages over their market competitors. Folsom divides American businessmen into two categories, political entrepreneurs, who rely on government monopolies, favors, and subsidies in order to succeed, and market entrepreneurs, who succeed only by providing a superior product or service to the consumer at the lowest price. These two groups are very different from each other, and often battle each other.
Love Medicine
In the beginning, it is said that Lipsha has the power to heal but is unexperienced. He states, “ I know the tricks of mind and body inside out without ever having trained for it,, because I got the touch”.Lipsha has not yet managed to control his special power. For his grandmother, he tries to make the love medicine that would revive the passion between his grandparents, Marie and Nector. When he finds that the ancient prescription is too difficult to follow and create, he improvises with turkey hearts instead of geese and the outcome is disastrous. Lipsha's alterations with tradition has unexpecting consequences, when it results in Grandpa Nector's death.
After his grandfather's death Lipsha changes. Lipsha's growth begins after a spiritual visit from this deceased grandfather. The following day he says, “ Your life feels different on you, once you greet death and understanding your heart's position”. At the end of the story, Lipsha has a clearer view of life. He has realized the values of life and comes to cherish life even more.
After his grandfather's death Lipsha changes. Lipsha's growth begins after a spiritual visit from this deceased grandfather. The following day he says, “ Your life feels different on you, once you greet death and understanding your heart's position”. At the end of the story, Lipsha has a clearer view of life. He has realized the values of life and comes to cherish life even more.
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