Prose Exercise 6
1)The father was unable to recognize his own daughter when he first ssw her because the last time he saw her, was about 8 years ago, she would have grown up & looked different by then. Evidence show as, "they hadn't met in eight years, he remembered, not since his ex-wife, having won custody of their eight-year-old child". This shows that since their divorce & having won custody of their child back then, the father had not met his daughter once in the past eight years. Therefore through the process of the eight years, his daughter had already grown up and should looked fairly different as compared to the past.
2)My impression of Li Wen is that, she is rather aggressive, as shown in the extract "she kicked the machine once, twice, three times". She kicked the machine three times as the drink did not came out, therefore, her actions shows how aggressive she is by nature. I think that she will have a hard thing having to adjust to her new environment because having to switch to an entirely different environment requires patience and time. As shown in the passage, "her sarcastic exclamations of 'oh my god' and "can this be real' ", shows that she isnt very good in adjusting to new stuff as the songs she heard on the radio back in her country were completely different to the ones she had tried to listen for this instance. Her sarcastic reactions to the songs played, showed how inefficiently that she wasn't a person who would be fine with adjusting to a new environment.
3 a)The writer shows the tension between father and daughter through their conversations. As seen in the passage, "oh my god", "can this be real", and "we don't believe in being swamped by the media here" the writer shows sarcastic remarks made by both father & daughter during the radio incident to create tension in the extract so as to emphasis the difference of the east and west couture.
3 b)In the passage, initially, he was feeling a little pissed at Li Wen because she could not remember anything about her country. He showed his displeasure by making a remark of "Don't you remember anything about your country" ? He was annoyed by Li Wen for not remembering anything, to have already forgotten everything of the past. At the end of the passage, the writer showed how the father tolerated her nonsense by not showing how annoyed he was, instead, he stopped the car for her to get her walkman, to make her happy, & in a way, it was a relief to have both of them not talking to each other.
4)One of the ways the writer used to display the differences and conflict between the East and West is through the conversations of he himself and his mother. As shown in the passage, a sarcastic reaction by his mother, "Is that a new-fangled Western concept or what?" shows how his mother isnt too happy to know that he wants some alone time with Li Wen, rather than her usual ways of doing things in big groups or as a whole family. As to comparing the east, people were more traditional and hence would preferred to do things in groups, rather than to being independent or to be alone as compared to the west. My feelings for the father and daughter in the story is that, they both required time to adjust to the living habits of one another as after all, they had both live in completely different places & they didnt know each other very well either.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Mining For Meaning
Prose Exercise 5
1) The setting of this scene is gloomy and solemn, to complement the inner feelings of Mrs Mallard as she received the news of her husband's death, her husband who she had lived with and gone through so much with for years. The writer describes the chair that Mrs Mallard saw as roomy, which probably meant that Mrs Mallard felt empty, as though something or someone is missing from her life after receiving the news. The writer also describes the weather, a delicious new breath of rain was in the air, which also shows the gloominess in what Mrs Mallard is feeling. A little freedom as now she was living for herself instead of her husband and yet sadness as she lost someone she had loved.
2) She probably had not much freedom in her marriage, as evidence in the passage shown : "she saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely." It shows the suppression of impulses or emotions that Mrs Mallard is feeling. My impressions of Mrs Mallard is that she is a very loving and faithful woman. She loves her husband dearly, which can be seen how she had cried for her husband : "wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms". My feelings for Mrs Mallard at the end of the text is that I am happy for her as she left in peace and joy after all these years that she was in pain because of her heart trouble, believing in the news that her husband has passed on thus her time is already up.
3) The conclusion of this story is ironic because Mrs Mallard husband is alive in the end, and Mrs Mallard was the one who had passed away after she wept for her so called husband's death she had believed in. The writer develops the story towards its ironic conclusion by saying Mrs Mallard died of heart disease, of joy that kills. Dying of heart disease isn't a great thing, so the writer probably meant that Mrs Mallard died of joy.
1) The setting of this scene is gloomy and solemn, to complement the inner feelings of Mrs Mallard as she received the news of her husband's death, her husband who she had lived with and gone through so much with for years. The writer describes the chair that Mrs Mallard saw as roomy, which probably meant that Mrs Mallard felt empty, as though something or someone is missing from her life after receiving the news. The writer also describes the weather, a delicious new breath of rain was in the air, which also shows the gloominess in what Mrs Mallard is feeling. A little freedom as now she was living for herself instead of her husband and yet sadness as she lost someone she had loved.
2) She probably had not much freedom in her marriage, as evidence in the passage shown : "she saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession of years to come that would belong to her absolutely." It shows the suppression of impulses or emotions that Mrs Mallard is feeling. My impressions of Mrs Mallard is that she is a very loving and faithful woman. She loves her husband dearly, which can be seen how she had cried for her husband : "wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms". My feelings for Mrs Mallard at the end of the text is that I am happy for her as she left in peace and joy after all these years that she was in pain because of her heart trouble, believing in the news that her husband has passed on thus her time is already up.
3) The conclusion of this story is ironic because Mrs Mallard husband is alive in the end, and Mrs Mallard was the one who had passed away after she wept for her so called husband's death she had believed in. The writer develops the story towards its ironic conclusion by saying Mrs Mallard died of heart disease, of joy that kills. Dying of heart disease isn't a great thing, so the writer probably meant that Mrs Mallard died of joy.
Mining For Meaning
Prose Exercise 4
1) The tangerine symbolizes good luck for the chinese during Chinese New Year. Nick, who bought the bag of tangerines from the girl, was in a way helping and wishing the girl good luck because he wanted to help out the girl, probably to help her get something for herself to eat, to fill up her stomach. At that instance, it was the only way he could help her, by buying the bag of tangerines from her. Similarly, by buying the bag of tangerines, it was Nick's way to wish the girl good luck.
2) The writer gives his / her own opinions regarding the events happening in the story and thus, making it easier for us to imagine the actions and nature of the narrator's character. Similarly, the style of narration of the story is second-hand because it was not a first hand experience given by Nick himself.
3) The conflicts present in this extract are internal in which Nick has with himself. The conflicts were cause by Nick himself, probably because he grew up ruthlessly efficient, organized and prepared for the most of things that he would come across. However, there was something left suppressed, and it was pity that he could not feel for others around him. All these caused him the lost of many things, such as, his friends, closeness with his councillors, the closeness with his family and the closeness with his hall friends. The value of "pity" wasn't present in Nick himself, and thus this made him to not being able to connect with people which he eventually lost everyone. Through his experience back in Vietnam, he was able to display the value of "pity" by buying that bag of tangerines from the girl, to help her, because at that point of time, it was for the girl's well being and therefore, the internal conflict that he has with himself, is resolved in the end.
1) The tangerine symbolizes good luck for the chinese during Chinese New Year. Nick, who bought the bag of tangerines from the girl, was in a way helping and wishing the girl good luck because he wanted to help out the girl, probably to help her get something for herself to eat, to fill up her stomach. At that instance, it was the only way he could help her, by buying the bag of tangerines from her. Similarly, by buying the bag of tangerines, it was Nick's way to wish the girl good luck.
2) The writer gives his / her own opinions regarding the events happening in the story and thus, making it easier for us to imagine the actions and nature of the narrator's character. Similarly, the style of narration of the story is second-hand because it was not a first hand experience given by Nick himself.
3) The conflicts present in this extract are internal in which Nick has with himself. The conflicts were cause by Nick himself, probably because he grew up ruthlessly efficient, organized and prepared for the most of things that he would come across. However, there was something left suppressed, and it was pity that he could not feel for others around him. All these caused him the lost of many things, such as, his friends, closeness with his councillors, the closeness with his family and the closeness with his hall friends. The value of "pity" wasn't present in Nick himself, and thus this made him to not being able to connect with people which he eventually lost everyone. Through his experience back in Vietnam, he was able to display the value of "pity" by buying that bag of tangerines from the girl, to help her, because at that point of time, it was for the girl's well being and therefore, the internal conflict that he has with himself, is resolved in the end.
Mining For Meaning
Prose Exercise 3
1) Although the fact that Vampires are traditionally known to be evil and cruel in nature, this text defers the point. Evidence shown from the text that the Vampire did not hurt the boy as, The vampire sat down slowly opposite him and, leaning forward, said gently, confidentially, "Don't be afraid. Just start the tape." This shows that the vampire had no intention of hurting the boy even though he had the opportunity to do so. Also, the vampire treats the boy with respect and don't order him around even though he could easily threaten the boy. As shown in the starting of the text that the vampire actually made normal conversations with the boy. Thus the vampire in this extract appears to be different.
2) The writer uses phrases and words such as "could not repress a gasp", "the boy shuddered", "stammer", "sweat running down the sides of his face", to show that the boy was becoming increasingly nervous and uneasy during the interview as compared to the starting of the text where the boy still spoke in confidence.
3) In the beginning of the text, the boy replies the vampire with much confidence and even told the vampire indirectly that the vampire needs him, thus his story had better be good. Evidence shown as, "Sometimes I interview as many as three or four people at night if i'm lucky. But it has to be a good story." However, as the interview progresses, the boy felt uneasy and afraid of the Vampire as shown in the text that the boy shuddered, sweat was running down the sides of his face and he also stammered, afraid to offend the Vampire in any way. This shows how the vampire takes control of the interview as it progresses.
1) Although the fact that Vampires are traditionally known to be evil and cruel in nature, this text defers the point. Evidence shown from the text that the Vampire did not hurt the boy as, The vampire sat down slowly opposite him and, leaning forward, said gently, confidentially, "Don't be afraid. Just start the tape." This shows that the vampire had no intention of hurting the boy even though he had the opportunity to do so. Also, the vampire treats the boy with respect and don't order him around even though he could easily threaten the boy. As shown in the starting of the text that the vampire actually made normal conversations with the boy. Thus the vampire in this extract appears to be different.
2) The writer uses phrases and words such as "could not repress a gasp", "the boy shuddered", "stammer", "sweat running down the sides of his face", to show that the boy was becoming increasingly nervous and uneasy during the interview as compared to the starting of the text where the boy still spoke in confidence.
3) In the beginning of the text, the boy replies the vampire with much confidence and even told the vampire indirectly that the vampire needs him, thus his story had better be good. Evidence shown as, "Sometimes I interview as many as three or four people at night if i'm lucky. But it has to be a good story." However, as the interview progresses, the boy felt uneasy and afraid of the Vampire as shown in the text that the boy shuddered, sweat was running down the sides of his face and he also stammered, afraid to offend the Vampire in any way. This shows how the vampire takes control of the interview as it progresses.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Mining For Meaning
Prose Exercise 2
1) The narrator's view is that they are very hard to comprehend, in a way, very hard to please. As shown in the passage, "Men are difficult, so hard to understand" and "Instead you have to put up with whatever state ther're in-unwelcome attentions or hurtful silence". In the evidence as quoted, "Men are difficult, so hard to understand", it shows the narrator's displeasure of men in general, as she feels that if you want to fully understand them. Secondly, in the evidence quoted "Instead you have to put up with whatever state ther're in-unwelcome attentions or hurtful silence", it shows that you will have to accept and put up anything that they give you. Therefore, she finds that men on a whole, is very hard to comprehend.
2) The internal conflicts that the narrator has within herself is that she finds that it is impossible to comprehend 'men'. She even mentions and gave a comparison on how long she took to try to figure out them. She uses "Sometimes, I feel I've spent my whole life trying to work out how to handle him". This is how she shows her displeasure towards men as she feels that no matter how much time she spends, she wont ever reach a point where she can 'comprehend' them. The external conflicts she has, is the ones she has with her ex-boyfriend. She got sick of the cycle, having to put up with things, doing the same mundane things over and over again every week. She just coldn't tolerate how things were going & eventually took the iniative to break up with him.
3) The narrator is feeling and showing her sorrow of how she really tries to comprehend men, but fails. Similarly, she uses the word "I" and this is first-person narration, the narrator focus alot on how we view the events of the story to show her displeasure towards men.
1) The narrator's view is that they are very hard to comprehend, in a way, very hard to please. As shown in the passage, "Men are difficult, so hard to understand" and "Instead you have to put up with whatever state ther're in-unwelcome attentions or hurtful silence". In the evidence as quoted, "Men are difficult, so hard to understand", it shows the narrator's displeasure of men in general, as she feels that if you want to fully understand them. Secondly, in the evidence quoted "Instead you have to put up with whatever state ther're in-unwelcome attentions or hurtful silence", it shows that you will have to accept and put up anything that they give you. Therefore, she finds that men on a whole, is very hard to comprehend.
2) The internal conflicts that the narrator has within herself is that she finds that it is impossible to comprehend 'men'. She even mentions and gave a comparison on how long she took to try to figure out them. She uses "Sometimes, I feel I've spent my whole life trying to work out how to handle him". This is how she shows her displeasure towards men as she feels that no matter how much time she spends, she wont ever reach a point where she can 'comprehend' them. The external conflicts she has, is the ones she has with her ex-boyfriend. She got sick of the cycle, having to put up with things, doing the same mundane things over and over again every week. She just coldn't tolerate how things were going & eventually took the iniative to break up with him.
3) The narrator is feeling and showing her sorrow of how she really tries to comprehend men, but fails. Similarly, she uses the word "I" and this is first-person narration, the narrator focus alot on how we view the events of the story to show her displeasure towards men.
Mining For Meaning
Prose Exercise 1
1) My impression of the main character is that he is very suspicious and mysterious. He is desperately trying to hide from the police. Evidence as, "He would wait until the siren sounded far off, then he would go out." This shows that he is hiding from the police. Also, he is afraid to get caught with evidence shows as "when the siren sounded so near, he had no choice but to escape and hide under the manhole".
2) I feel that the writer is effective in creating and increasing anxiety in the story as well as the within the main character. He uses phrases such as "siren sounded so near", "prolonged scream of brakes and siren brokes off" which creates a feeling for the readers to have a sense of fear within the main character, wondering if the character would get apprehended and what would happen next.
3) The mood in the text is mystery and suspense because the character uses desperate measures such as hiding under the manhole to escape and hide from the police. The story does not show the reason why the main character is hiding from the police. The passage mention that "the siren sounded so near" and "Looming above his head in the rain, a white faced hovered over the hole." It shows that the reader might be hiding away from the police for some reasons. Therefore it shows that the mood of the text is mystery and suspense.
1) My impression of the main character is that he is very suspicious and mysterious. He is desperately trying to hide from the police. Evidence as, "He would wait until the siren sounded far off, then he would go out." This shows that he is hiding from the police. Also, he is afraid to get caught with evidence shows as "when the siren sounded so near, he had no choice but to escape and hide under the manhole".
2) I feel that the writer is effective in creating and increasing anxiety in the story as well as the within the main character. He uses phrases such as "siren sounded so near", "prolonged scream of brakes and siren brokes off" which creates a feeling for the readers to have a sense of fear within the main character, wondering if the character would get apprehended and what would happen next.
3) The mood in the text is mystery and suspense because the character uses desperate measures such as hiding under the manhole to escape and hide from the police. The story does not show the reason why the main character is hiding from the police. The passage mention that "the siren sounded so near" and "Looming above his head in the rain, a white faced hovered over the hole." It shows that the reader might be hiding away from the police for some reasons. Therefore it shows that the mood of the text is mystery and suspense.
Mining For Meaning
Poetry Exercise 2
1) The subject matter of this poem is how a couple is unable to produce baby boys instead, plenty of girls. With evidence as, "Already ringed by daughters, And no son, they keep trying". This shows that this couple is having an unlucky turn of events as no boy offsprings are produced which places the couple in a much stressful n annoyed position to be in.
2)The significants of "ringed by daughters" is trying to suggest that the couple is being surrounded by daughters, this shows that they are annoyed by it. "Contoured by choices" means that she only have limited choice of 'bearing or diapering', which shows that women have cannot be like men, in a way that men work till they are old, whereas most women have to stay at home to look after their child, a very sad and lonely way to pass on as stated, "And singleness is theirs".
3)I feel that the women in this poem is lonely and has a sad life, as the poem mention "And singleness is theirs, Again." From here I could tell that the women is lonely, even if their "man" is with them as this phrase uses "Again."
1) The subject matter of this poem is how a couple is unable to produce baby boys instead, plenty of girls. With evidence as, "Already ringed by daughters, And no son, they keep trying". This shows that this couple is having an unlucky turn of events as no boy offsprings are produced which places the couple in a much stressful n annoyed position to be in.
2)The significants of "ringed by daughters" is trying to suggest that the couple is being surrounded by daughters, this shows that they are annoyed by it. "Contoured by choices" means that she only have limited choice of 'bearing or diapering', which shows that women have cannot be like men, in a way that men work till they are old, whereas most women have to stay at home to look after their child, a very sad and lonely way to pass on as stated, "And singleness is theirs".
3)I feel that the women in this poem is lonely and has a sad life, as the poem mention "And singleness is theirs, Again." From here I could tell that the women is lonely, even if their "man" is with them as this phrase uses "Again."
Mining For Meaning.
Poetry Exercise 1
1) From my point of view, the poem is about the feelings of a father towards his son that is growing up and is leaving him. He talked about how his son Sean is drifting away from him. This is evident from the way he described it as “like a satalite wrenched from its orbit” this shows that Sean is getting further away from him as he grows up. The writer is unable to comprehend his feelings as his son grows up and goes through the different stages of life. Using words like “ebbing” and “selfhood” it shows that the writer is still trying to accept the fact that his beloved son is no longer the little boy that he used to be.
2) My impression of their relationship is that Sean is not as close to his father compared to the past. The writer expressed through the title "Walking Away" directing the poem at his son Sean. the poem talks about how Sean is "fading away" and has "loosened from its parent stem." it shows that Sean has distanced himself from the writer and he's feeling upset about how they ended up. thus my conclusion is that the relationship between Sean and the writer is a very distant one.
3)The poet is trying to express his feelings with evidence as, "setting free a grown bird away". He thinks that he has to let "Sean" go, as he's growing up. The mood of the poem is sad, because he has to let go of a "child" that hasn't completely grown up. Another evidence would be, "Selfhood begins with walking away". This shows that one will be independent when one leaves or departs from it's pillar of support.
1) From my point of view, the poem is about the feelings of a father towards his son that is growing up and is leaving him. He talked about how his son Sean is drifting away from him. This is evident from the way he described it as “like a satalite wrenched from its orbit” this shows that Sean is getting further away from him as he grows up. The writer is unable to comprehend his feelings as his son grows up and goes through the different stages of life. Using words like “ebbing” and “selfhood” it shows that the writer is still trying to accept the fact that his beloved son is no longer the little boy that he used to be.
2) My impression of their relationship is that Sean is not as close to his father compared to the past. The writer expressed through the title "Walking Away" directing the poem at his son Sean. the poem talks about how Sean is "fading away" and has "loosened from its parent stem." it shows that Sean has distanced himself from the writer and he's feeling upset about how they ended up. thus my conclusion is that the relationship between Sean and the writer is a very distant one.
3)The poet is trying to express his feelings with evidence as, "setting free a grown bird away". He thinks that he has to let "Sean" go, as he's growing up. The mood of the poem is sad, because he has to let go of a "child" that hasn't completely grown up. Another evidence would be, "Selfhood begins with walking away". This shows that one will be independent when one leaves or departs from it's pillar of support.
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