Tamkin becomes a more and more hateful character as you reach end of the novel and the author does an excellent job in expressing Wilhelm’s distress. I found that Bellow used literary devices when he described Tamkin, “His eyes were brown as beaver fur…” I found was a very interesting and unexpected way to describe someone eyes. But why a beaver? Many animals have brown fur, maybe it’s because beavers build and destroy things as a way of survival which is a good description and an even better comparison of Dr. Tamkin’s nature. “Sensational, but oddly enough, dull, too. Now how do you figure that out? It blends with the background. Funny but unfunny. True but False. Casual but laborious, Tamkin was.” This quote is full of paradoxes showing Tamkins contradictory nature very clearly. These statements are all very true of his personality and I find them so appropriate that it is no surprise that it is necessary for the author to use literary devices to describe such a complicated character. This is a very good way to create a sense or image of what the character is like.
I read that Tamkin was trying to calm a distressed Wilhelm by telling him to “Seize the day” and was mentally preparing him by reminding him of the “here-and-now” but even though the statement seems profound it is just another one of Tamkin’s mental tricks. Though the literal meaning, telling Wilhelm to seize the day, the exact moment, think it over and make the best decision could have been useful, no one ever showed Tommy this side of “Seize the day”. This advice could have saved him from many past regrets but without a dependable person to tell him other wise he wasn’t sharp enough to make the correct connection. I think that the title is very relevant to the theme but isn’t apparent in the characters development and growth, this makes his such a naïve and helpless man, he doesn’t know any better and everyone has turned their back to him. Though Tommy lacked common sense an honest helping hand would have gone an long way in restoring order in his life.
I found that some big ideas or motifs in this novel were money and happiness. Wilhelm seemed obsessed with the idea that only money could buy happiness and since he didn’t have any he was in a rut. This negative attitude was a factor in keeping him from enjoying life and money in a way blinded him. He suffered greatly because of his financial issues and was hateful and even wrathful towards those economically stable including his father. Money and bliss were very linked in “Seize the Day” because of Wilhelm’s obsessive money mentality and thus, creating conflicts between all of the characters. Margaret needed money from Wilhelm, Wilhelm needed money from his father, Tamkin was handling his money, his father looked down on him because of his lack of money… the book was strung together by people and their financial issues. I think it is really sad how much the issue of wealth controlled and dominated his life but I felt that he really wasn’t doing much about it which seemed very ironic. He always complained about what a rut he was in but all he did was watch the value of his lard and rye rise or fall, he could have been a lot more productive and this waste of time made me less sympathetic towards him.
The money obsession doesn’t literally have to represent money but instead human greed and over indulgence and focus on material, unimportant things. I think Saul Bellow was trying to tell his readers that not only do you have to work to succeed and be satisfied but that you shouldn’t be completely absorbed with the material things and focus on needs rather than wants. I think this is a very good and relevant message since finance is such an enormous issue in modern society that it relates to many people. This book is easily relatable because anyone could be in Wilhelm’s position and Bellow is trying to show his readers a way out of such a dangerous lifestyle by shocking them with cold hard facts. I also liked how he was able to write an entire novel using one day as a time frame. This is very unusual in books and made it more memorable for me. It definitely helped the reader to understand and sympathize with Wilhelm when we got into his mind but this also made the book drag on exaggeratedly at times. It was a new and interesting approach on writing and made title relevant since it was in the course of a day.
I didn’t like the ending because it didn’t give a sense of closure but I guess that could be expected since things couldn’t change dramatically in one day. I was expecting Wilhelm, after so much grief and suffering to pick himself up and try to change his situation but still, he didn’t try to change. His crying was emotionally relieving but it wouldn’t make a difference, it wouldn’t make his father give him money or get his wife back or his money back so I was dissatisfied and disappointed. Overall it was an interesting book with a different theme and structure that could easily relate to the reader but did have its share of small action. I think the moral is, in a few words, don’t end up like Wilhelm!
domingo, 27 de abril de 2008
Sieze The Day
As I kept reading I noticed that Wilhelm is a very self pitying and jealous guy. When he met Mr. Perls at breakfast he instantly began to criticize his attire and his overall presence. I think that he was especially harsh on Mr. Perls because he would get his father’s undivided attention and respect effortlessly while his father looked down at his poor son. It is overwhelming how weak Wilhelm is emotionally and I think it is very ironic that physically he is a very big, strong man. Mr. Adler is exaggeratedly cruel with his son and I think it is very upsetting and awful how terribly and how detached his actions are toward his son. This constant mistreatment obviously scars Wilhelm and has made him a very bitter person but still he tries to impress his father by bragging to Mr. Perls or any other method that would win his father’s respect.
As we continue in the story we find that Wilhelm is a very immature character. He doesn’t know how to make decisions and knowingly makes wrong ones. I think that his father is the source of all his problems and that is why he has conflicts with himself. It’s really strange how he knows what decision would be the best for him and would have the most positive outcome but every time he ignores his instinct. I think this makes him immature because he never learns his lesson and thus, makes the same mistakes over again, this idleness makes him seem very simple and makes him a very frustrating character. “The very shade of green of Tamkin’s check looked wrong; it was a false, disheartening color. His handwriting was peculiar, even monstrous…” This quote is Wilhelm so obviously mulling over all of the pros and cons of having a man like Tamkin handling his money and it seems so mistrusting that it’s hard to believe that anyone, with even the slightest doubt, would continue with the deal. It is situations like these that make Wilhelm an innocent and immature man because he doesn’t want to face the fact that some one may be a con and may steal his money. He is naïve and oblivious to the fact that there are bad people out there preying on weak, innocent others.
I find Tamkin a very interesting character. He is extremely quirky and seems to be a huge liar. All of the stories that he has told Wilhelm so far and unbelievable and simply ridiculous, I think he creates them to make himself feel more important and useful. He prides himself in “helping…healing people” and I think this shows a very arrogant and obnoxious side of the man. He doesn’t help people because of his kind heart but instead to nurture his ego and I think it’s terrible how easily he can manipulate Wilhelm. For example, with their rye investment well on the rise Wilhelm want to sell so that he can be assured some money but Tamkin talks and even tries to hypnotize Wilhelm out of it so that he can keep speculating it. “Say to yourself here-and-now, here-and-now, here-and-now. ‘Where am I?’ ‘Here.’ “When is it?’ ‘Now.’…” This kind of attitude shows me a very selfish and bad man and I think Tommy is foolish in having so much faith in him. Though when we read through Tommy’s thoughts they do doubt his associate many times but this isn’t enough for him to break off his tie to him. This shows me a weak and rather pathetic dependence on Tommy’s part because he has lost so much that he grasps at anything or anyone for comfort. His indecision is one of his biggest flaws and has gotten him into many disasters.
As we continue in the story we find that Wilhelm is a very immature character. He doesn’t know how to make decisions and knowingly makes wrong ones. I think that his father is the source of all his problems and that is why he has conflicts with himself. It’s really strange how he knows what decision would be the best for him and would have the most positive outcome but every time he ignores his instinct. I think this makes him immature because he never learns his lesson and thus, makes the same mistakes over again, this idleness makes him seem very simple and makes him a very frustrating character. “The very shade of green of Tamkin’s check looked wrong; it was a false, disheartening color. His handwriting was peculiar, even monstrous…” This quote is Wilhelm so obviously mulling over all of the pros and cons of having a man like Tamkin handling his money and it seems so mistrusting that it’s hard to believe that anyone, with even the slightest doubt, would continue with the deal. It is situations like these that make Wilhelm an innocent and immature man because he doesn’t want to face the fact that some one may be a con and may steal his money. He is naïve and oblivious to the fact that there are bad people out there preying on weak, innocent others.
I find Tamkin a very interesting character. He is extremely quirky and seems to be a huge liar. All of the stories that he has told Wilhelm so far and unbelievable and simply ridiculous, I think he creates them to make himself feel more important and useful. He prides himself in “helping…healing people” and I think this shows a very arrogant and obnoxious side of the man. He doesn’t help people because of his kind heart but instead to nurture his ego and I think it’s terrible how easily he can manipulate Wilhelm. For example, with their rye investment well on the rise Wilhelm want to sell so that he can be assured some money but Tamkin talks and even tries to hypnotize Wilhelm out of it so that he can keep speculating it. “Say to yourself here-and-now, here-and-now, here-and-now. ‘Where am I?’ ‘Here.’ “When is it?’ ‘Now.’…” This kind of attitude shows me a very selfish and bad man and I think Tommy is foolish in having so much faith in him. Though when we read through Tommy’s thoughts they do doubt his associate many times but this isn’t enough for him to break off his tie to him. This shows me a weak and rather pathetic dependence on Tommy’s part because he has lost so much that he grasps at anything or anyone for comfort. His indecision is one of his biggest flaws and has gotten him into many disasters.
CORRECTIONS
Candide by Voltaire
I found that from the twenty second chapter until the end of the novel the main character was surrounded by pessimistic people that started to weaken his grasp on Pangloss' optimism. The man that Candide chose to accompany him through all of his voyages in an annoyingly sour man who has nothing but negative words coming out of his mouth. "I have travelled to several provinces. In some you find half the people are fools...there are some parts of the country where people are simple and stupid, and others where they pretend to be witty." This is Martin, Candide's chosen partner generalizing the demeanour of the French, Candide optimistically asks about Paris hoping for a more enthusiastic response but again gets the same tone. It frustrates me how negative everyone is in the novel, I don't understand how Candide can bear being with such exasperating characters and not lose any faith in Pangloss' theories. All Martin has to say for humanity as a whole is this: "If hawks have always had the same character, why should you suppose that men have changed theirs?" Martin sees no hope for the human race but sees them condemned to be useless, fretful creatures until the end of time. Thus, Martin in this case can not even be swayed by his companions optimism but would rather laugh in his face at his ridiculous ideas. Martin may be right about some of the tragedies of humans and their nature but he turns a blind eye to humanity's achievement. Voltaire made him this way to give Candide a task or something to do, but we learn that Martin will never change his views.All of the characters in the novel have had very terrible experiences and this fuels all of their bitterness towards life except for Candide's naive optimism that was brought upon him by the "wise" Pangloss. When Candide and Martin arrive in France and flaunt their wealth they are flocked by greedy people who want to take advantage of them. Candide being so positive and clueless doesn't know any better and falls into the hands of many selfish men and women. The fact that Candide can't even see the evil in a person who only looks to seek benefits from him maddens me because of his plain stupidity. Voltaire made his main character this way to exaggerate his point and making easier to target him, in the twenty second chapter he even gets used by a woman who seduces him into giving her his diamond rings, Voltaire uses sensuality to show another weakness not only in Candide but maybe in men in general that when confronted by sex, they can be easily persuaded. Though Candide is deeply resentful of his actions his weakness still shows and that is the point that the author may be trying to tell his readers, to show his character's weaknesses. When the French man that had become very friendly with Candide tries to arrest him but is bought off by some jewels the author portrays corruption maybe in the government but at least in man kind. How a man can change his opinions when faces with valuables is rather pathetic but Voltaire paints it beautifully.In a following chapter Candide begins his futile search for Cunegonde, months go by without the reader noticing and I realized that maybe the author doesn't include time because that is how Candide lives his life. Sometimes a moment can go on for pages and months can go by in one, Candide seems to live oblivious to his surroundings at times especially if Lady Cunegonde is involved. I think that the author proved how desolate the world and the people in it had become when Candide and Martin make a bet on a couple's happiness, "but his wife who was violently jealous used to beat me unmercifully every day!" This quote was said by the girl Pacquette who feigned her satisfaction for life as a survival method. I can imagine Candide's feeling of hopelessness at this point, he can't find his mistress or a single moderately content person in all of Europe! Most people at least find serenity in god but a monk that Candide interviews has been tempted to set his own monastery on fire! Until now Voltaire has given us a very desolate image of Europe and the readers expect a happy ending. In Candide even money can't buy satisfaction as Count Pococurante proves to us, even with his gorgeous Raphael paintings and a vast book collection, he has nothing but criticism. If this is the case I wonder if Voltaire is going to explain to his readers what in fact does make people happy?
I found that from the twenty second chapter until the end of the novel the main character was surrounded by pessimistic people that started to weaken his grasp on Pangloss' optimism. The man that Candide chose to accompany him through all of his voyages in an annoyingly sour man who has nothing but negative words coming out of his mouth. "I have travelled to several provinces. In some you find half the people are fools...there are some parts of the country where people are simple and stupid, and others where they pretend to be witty." This is Martin, Candide's chosen partner generalizing the demeanour of the French, Candide optimistically asks about Paris hoping for a more enthusiastic response but again gets the same tone. It frustrates me how negative everyone is in the novel, I don't understand how Candide can bear being with such exasperating characters and not lose any faith in Pangloss' theories. All Martin has to say for humanity as a whole is this: "If hawks have always had the same character, why should you suppose that men have changed theirs?" Martin sees no hope for the human race but sees them condemned to be useless, fretful creatures until the end of time. Thus, Martin in this case can not even be swayed by his companions optimism but would rather laugh in his face at his ridiculous ideas. Martin may be right about some of the tragedies of humans and their nature but he turns a blind eye to humanity's achievement. Voltaire made him this way to give Candide a task or something to do, but we learn that Martin will never change his views.All of the characters in the novel have had very terrible experiences and this fuels all of their bitterness towards life except for Candide's naive optimism that was brought upon him by the "wise" Pangloss. When Candide and Martin arrive in France and flaunt their wealth they are flocked by greedy people who want to take advantage of them. Candide being so positive and clueless doesn't know any better and falls into the hands of many selfish men and women. The fact that Candide can't even see the evil in a person who only looks to seek benefits from him maddens me because of his plain stupidity. Voltaire made his main character this way to exaggerate his point and making easier to target him, in the twenty second chapter he even gets used by a woman who seduces him into giving her his diamond rings, Voltaire uses sensuality to show another weakness not only in Candide but maybe in men in general that when confronted by sex, they can be easily persuaded. Though Candide is deeply resentful of his actions his weakness still shows and that is the point that the author may be trying to tell his readers, to show his character's weaknesses. When the French man that had become very friendly with Candide tries to arrest him but is bought off by some jewels the author portrays corruption maybe in the government but at least in man kind. How a man can change his opinions when faces with valuables is rather pathetic but Voltaire paints it beautifully.In a following chapter Candide begins his futile search for Cunegonde, months go by without the reader noticing and I realized that maybe the author doesn't include time because that is how Candide lives his life. Sometimes a moment can go on for pages and months can go by in one, Candide seems to live oblivious to his surroundings at times especially if Lady Cunegonde is involved. I think that the author proved how desolate the world and the people in it had become when Candide and Martin make a bet on a couple's happiness, "but his wife who was violently jealous used to beat me unmercifully every day!" This quote was said by the girl Pacquette who feigned her satisfaction for life as a survival method. I can imagine Candide's feeling of hopelessness at this point, he can't find his mistress or a single moderately content person in all of Europe! Most people at least find serenity in god but a monk that Candide interviews has been tempted to set his own monastery on fire! Until now Voltaire has given us a very desolate image of Europe and the readers expect a happy ending. In Candide even money can't buy satisfaction as Count Pococurante proves to us, even with his gorgeous Raphael paintings and a vast book collection, he has nothing but criticism. If this is the case I wonder if Voltaire is going to explain to his readers what in fact does make people happy?
miércoles, 23 de abril de 2008
Sieze The Day
The novel "Seize the Day " is a very interesting novel especially structurally. The author's writing style is very unlike any of the styles we have read in our past novels and I think it can be clever and confusing at the same time. The readers get to follow the main character through his daily routine and also be inside his mind. The time frames are very different since in twenty pages Wilhelm has talked extensively of several memories and also has barely made it to the breakfast table at the same time. It must have been challenging to write two stories at the same time including the same character. One thing I noticed is that when Wilhelm thinks the author doesn't use quotations and that indicates to me that the character is bringing back not only memories but conversations all at once making it unnecessary to use quotation marks though it would distinguish conversations. Though we get to slowly experience Wilhelm's routine we get to know his past and his regrets very quickly, the author introduces the character through his memories. "After much thought and hesitation and debate he invariably took the course he had rejected innumerable times." This quote shows the readers how weak and indecisive Wilhelm had been and his bitterness towards all of the impulsive mistakes he had made. The character seems rather pathetic since he lists all of his biggest impulsive screw ups bitterly and I wondered what it was that drove him to make decisions he didn't fully support.
I think that this indecisiveness helps the readers build an opinion or an image of Wilhelm's character, he is very bitter and resentful but outwardly is portrayed as cheerful and friendly. "That dark little gloomy Artie with his disgusting narrow face, his moles and his self-sniffing ways and his unclean table manners, the boring habit he had of conjugating verbs when you went for a walk with him." When I read this sentence I didn't feel bad for boring Artie for being so harshly criticized but rather for Wilhelm because he sounds jealous of his smart, successful cousin who may be snooty and boring but at least he wasn't a drop out. I think that his father's apathetic attitude towards others and especially him left a deep scar in Wilhelm's emotions because he wanted to please and feel satisfaction but was always cut short or even scorned by his father. This leaves Wilhelm to become a bitter man but we discover all this resentment only in his thoughts he is always courteous and pleasant around other people, I think he does this because it is not other people's fault that he has problems and doesn't want to take it out on them.
The structure makes the book interesting because we get two perspectives, the outward one showing us how Wilhelm acts towards everyone. I don't think that his courteousness with people like Rubin is fake but he is trying to make the best of his situation and at that moment may even be cheerful. The other side or his darker side is expressed through his thoughts and memories and this is where the readers witness Wilhelm's problems. These two sides of him are almost like alter-egos, so different and such opposites but still in the same body. Also Tommy's explanation for the name change seems like he's always wanted to become someone else, someone better, this way of thinking may have been caused by his father. I think it is sad how regretful Tommy is of some parts of his life but it seems like he is very pessimistic as well which doesn't help him. Its strange how neither time frames are written in the future but rather both in different pasts so I can't figure out who the narrator is but hopefully as I read on it'll become clear.
I think that this indecisiveness helps the readers build an opinion or an image of Wilhelm's character, he is very bitter and resentful but outwardly is portrayed as cheerful and friendly. "That dark little gloomy Artie with his disgusting narrow face, his moles and his self-sniffing ways and his unclean table manners, the boring habit he had of conjugating verbs when you went for a walk with him." When I read this sentence I didn't feel bad for boring Artie for being so harshly criticized but rather for Wilhelm because he sounds jealous of his smart, successful cousin who may be snooty and boring but at least he wasn't a drop out. I think that his father's apathetic attitude towards others and especially him left a deep scar in Wilhelm's emotions because he wanted to please and feel satisfaction but was always cut short or even scorned by his father. This leaves Wilhelm to become a bitter man but we discover all this resentment only in his thoughts he is always courteous and pleasant around other people, I think he does this because it is not other people's fault that he has problems and doesn't want to take it out on them.
The structure makes the book interesting because we get two perspectives, the outward one showing us how Wilhelm acts towards everyone. I don't think that his courteousness with people like Rubin is fake but he is trying to make the best of his situation and at that moment may even be cheerful. The other side or his darker side is expressed through his thoughts and memories and this is where the readers witness Wilhelm's problems. These two sides of him are almost like alter-egos, so different and such opposites but still in the same body. Also Tommy's explanation for the name change seems like he's always wanted to become someone else, someone better, this way of thinking may have been caused by his father. I think it is sad how regretful Tommy is of some parts of his life but it seems like he is very pessimistic as well which doesn't help him. Its strange how neither time frames are written in the future but rather both in different pasts so I can't figure out who the narrator is but hopefully as I read on it'll become clear.
domingo, 20 de abril de 2008
A Friendly Fire
I found this passage so overwhelmingly normal that it was surprising that there was no drama or action. This made the story monotonous and kept the reader expecting to have a snip of action pop up but there was never any climax and I felt kind of dissatisfied with the outcome of the action since there was none. I was expecting the son to die or something to happen in the warehouse the women were working at but there was no dramatic change of events. The characters were some what strange or awkward but there was nothing significant about the story with regards to the plot. The author did use rather interesting comparisons and literary devices that made the components of the piece more interesting. "...cut off as abruptly as if someone had pulled a switch, only the memory of them left like markers on the surface above deep water." I found this quote as a very interesiting and different simile because of the strange comparison. The author is comparing a fading memory to a marker and a deep water, deep water. The "deep water" represents the memory as a whole and is comparing it to a vasty and mystical place, the marker can represent just a small figment of a memory and this line caught my eye because i think it is a very clever way of stating such an ordinary thing.
Also the author used a pair of very contradictory words side by side, she wrote "like an ancient baby". This phrase gives a very effective visual description in my opinion because we get to picture the softness of a baby with ancient wrinkles. I'm not sure if this is a paradox or an oxymoron but I think that this adds an interesting element to they style and description of the character because the two words are very visual common. There is a strange simplicity in the writing style of the author that makes it a very relaxed read and I think that if she had used some of her techniques to include action or more dramatic events to the story, it would have been a very dynamic read. The author used literary devices to exaggerate or empasize a character's personality or appearance and I found that "A Friendly Fire" was interestingly written because we didn't get into the protagonist's mind but instead we were very much left to look through a window at what the character was doing almost adding a standoffish feeling. The author bounces around between Pam and Shelly very unexpectedly so we feel that the author or the narrator is in full control rather than the characters. There is very little dialogue in this short story as well. I wonder if it is because of each character's personality or because of the setting.
I also realized that Pam and Shelly are complete opposites, one is tall and skinny and the other is tubby. One is calm and relaxed, and the other is more crazy or energetic. Their rutine lives bring them together and in this case opposites work well together. I wonder why the author chose to have his leading persons in such a depressing occupation, I found that her description of the work place was rather depressing and was repelling, maybe the circumstances were made this way to give hope to the readers to expect more or to work hard in life.
Also the author used a pair of very contradictory words side by side, she wrote "like an ancient baby". This phrase gives a very effective visual description in my opinion because we get to picture the softness of a baby with ancient wrinkles. I'm not sure if this is a paradox or an oxymoron but I think that this adds an interesting element to they style and description of the character because the two words are very visual common. There is a strange simplicity in the writing style of the author that makes it a very relaxed read and I think that if she had used some of her techniques to include action or more dramatic events to the story, it would have been a very dynamic read. The author used literary devices to exaggerate or empasize a character's personality or appearance and I found that "A Friendly Fire" was interestingly written because we didn't get into the protagonist's mind but instead we were very much left to look through a window at what the character was doing almost adding a standoffish feeling. The author bounces around between Pam and Shelly very unexpectedly so we feel that the author or the narrator is in full control rather than the characters. There is very little dialogue in this short story as well. I wonder if it is because of each character's personality or because of the setting.
I also realized that Pam and Shelly are complete opposites, one is tall and skinny and the other is tubby. One is calm and relaxed, and the other is more crazy or energetic. Their rutine lives bring them together and in this case opposites work well together. I wonder why the author chose to have his leading persons in such a depressing occupation, I found that her description of the work place was rather depressing and was repelling, maybe the circumstances were made this way to give hope to the readers to expect more or to work hard in life.
lunes, 14 de abril de 2008
Candide by Voltaire
I found that from the twenty second chapter until the end of the novel the main character was surrounded by pessemistic people that started to weaken his grasp on Pangloss' optimism. The man that Candide chose to accompany him through all of his voyages in an annoyingly sour man who has nothing but negative words coming out of his mouth. "I have travelled to several provinces. In some you find half the people are fools...there are some parts of the country where people are simple and stupid, and others where they pretend to be witty." This is Martin, Candide's chosen partener generalizing the demeanour of the French, Candide optimistically asks about Paris hoping for a more enthusiatic response but again gets the same tone. It frustrates me how negative everyone is in the novel, I don't understand how Candide can bear being with such exasperating characters and not lose any faith in Pangloss' theories. All Martin has to say for humanity as a whole is this: "If hawks have always had the same character, why should you suppoe that men have changed theirs?" Martin sees no hope for the human race but sees them condemned to be useless, fretful creatures until the end of time. Thus, Martin in this case can not even be swayed by his companions optimism but would rather laugh in his face at his ridiculous ideas. Martin may be right about some of the tragedies of humans and their nature but he turns a blind eye to humanity's achievement. Voltaire made him this way to give Candide a task or something to do, but we learn that Martin will never change his views.
All of the characters in the novel have had very terrible experiences and this fuels all of their bitterness towards life except for Candide's naive optimism that was brought upon him by the "wise" Pangloss. When Candide and Martin arrive in France and flaunt their wealth they are flocked by greedy people who want to take advantage of them. Candide being so positive and clueless doesn't know any better and falls into the hands of many selfish men and women. The fact that Candide can't even see the evil in a person who only looks to seek benefits from him maddens me because of his plain stupidity. Voltaire made his main character this way to exaggerate his point and making easier to target him, in the twenty second chapter he even gets used by a woman who seduces him into giving her his diamond rings, Voltaire uses sensuality to show another weakness not only in Candide but maybe in men in general that when confronted by sex, they can be easily persuaded. Though Candide is deeply resentful of his actions his weakness still shows and that is the point that the author may be trying to tell his readers, to show his character's weaknesses. When the French man that had become very friendly with Candide tries to arrest him but is bought off by some jewels the author portrays corruption maybe in the government but atleast in man kind. How a man can change his opinions when faces with valuables is rather pathetic but Voltaire paints it beautifully.
In a following chapter Candide begins his futile search for Cunegonde, months go by without the reader noticing and I realized that maybe the author doesn't include time because that is how Candide lives his life. Sometimes a moment can go on for pages and months can go by in one, Candide seems to live oblivious to his surroundings at times especially if Lady Cunegonde is involved. I think that the author proved how desolate the world and the people in it had become when Candide and Martin make a bet on a couple's happiness, "but his wife who was violently jealous used to beat me unmercifully every day!" This quote was said by the girl Pacquette who feigned her satisfaction for life as a survival method. I can imagine Candide's feeling of hoplessness at this point, he can't find his mistress or a single moderatly content person in all of Europe! Most people at least find serenity in god but a monk that Candide interviews has been tempted to set his own monastary on fire! Untill now Voltaire has given us a very desolate image of Europe and the readers expect a happy ending. In Candide even money can't buy satisfaction as Count Pococurante proves to us, even with his gorgeous Raphael paintings and a vast book collection, he has nothing but criticism. If this is the case I wonder if Voltaire is going to explain to his readers what in fact does make people happy?
All of the characters in the novel have had very terrible experiences and this fuels all of their bitterness towards life except for Candide's naive optimism that was brought upon him by the "wise" Pangloss. When Candide and Martin arrive in France and flaunt their wealth they are flocked by greedy people who want to take advantage of them. Candide being so positive and clueless doesn't know any better and falls into the hands of many selfish men and women. The fact that Candide can't even see the evil in a person who only looks to seek benefits from him maddens me because of his plain stupidity. Voltaire made his main character this way to exaggerate his point and making easier to target him, in the twenty second chapter he even gets used by a woman who seduces him into giving her his diamond rings, Voltaire uses sensuality to show another weakness not only in Candide but maybe in men in general that when confronted by sex, they can be easily persuaded. Though Candide is deeply resentful of his actions his weakness still shows and that is the point that the author may be trying to tell his readers, to show his character's weaknesses. When the French man that had become very friendly with Candide tries to arrest him but is bought off by some jewels the author portrays corruption maybe in the government but atleast in man kind. How a man can change his opinions when faces with valuables is rather pathetic but Voltaire paints it beautifully.
In a following chapter Candide begins his futile search for Cunegonde, months go by without the reader noticing and I realized that maybe the author doesn't include time because that is how Candide lives his life. Sometimes a moment can go on for pages and months can go by in one, Candide seems to live oblivious to his surroundings at times especially if Lady Cunegonde is involved. I think that the author proved how desolate the world and the people in it had become when Candide and Martin make a bet on a couple's happiness, "but his wife who was violently jealous used to beat me unmercifully every day!" This quote was said by the girl Pacquette who feigned her satisfaction for life as a survival method. I can imagine Candide's feeling of hoplessness at this point, he can't find his mistress or a single moderatly content person in all of Europe! Most people at least find serenity in god but a monk that Candide interviews has been tempted to set his own monastary on fire! Untill now Voltaire has given us a very desolate image of Europe and the readers expect a happy ending. In Candide even money can't buy satisfaction as Count Pococurante proves to us, even with his gorgeous Raphael paintings and a vast book collection, he has nothing but criticism. If this is the case I wonder if Voltaire is going to explain to his readers what in fact does make people happy?
lunes, 7 de abril de 2008
Candide Chapters 16-20
In the sixteenth chapter Candide uses his shooting skills to shoot down to monkeys who are chasing two women. The author had to turn this ridiculous and heroic act into a tragedy to fit along with the rest of Candide's experiences and so the monkey's turn out to be the ladies' lovers! "You have killed those two ladies' lovers!" What are the chances that when there are two damsels seemingly in distress they are actually with their strange lovers? This could only happen to Candide, this is also a very big example of irony. He was trying to be their saviour and protector but instead he gets himself tangled with the Oreillons and almost gets skewered. It is also interesting to see the toll the rash murder of Cunegonde's brother takes on Candide's conscience, "What is the use of prolonging my miserable existence, if I must drag out my days in remorse and despair at being banished from her presence?" Candide is very resentful but he gets over his actions soon enough and eats. The encounter with the Oreillons is yet another cause and effect event. If Candide hadn't killed Cunegonde's brother they would have had no need to flee and wouldn't have encountered the Oreillons. Since Candide had dressed in a Jesuit's attire to escape he was captured by the Oreillons because they have an appetite for their enemies. Luckily, Cacambo was experienced in their dialect and he was able to prove their innocence and save their lives. Pangloss would have been very satisfied with the outcome.
In the seventeenth and eighteenth chapters Voltaire goes into a lengthy description of the city of Eldorado. The chapter begins with Candide's criticism of the old and new world and is lead to explore a completely different society. The fact that Candide and his servant walked in the general direction of Cayenne made it more probable for them to stumble upon a different society. They took a river which flows in only one direction so it was in a way pushing the pair towards their destiny. The city of Eldorado is created with very Utopian ideals, I think that the author wanted to have a bridge in between all the tragedies and disasters that have occurred and have his characters escape reality for a while. "The children of the kings of this country must be well brought up, if they are taught to despise gold and precious stones." This quote shows how this utopia even rejects objects of greed like valuables which makes it all the more tempting for the two foreigners. The author makes the city an extreme utopia, almost like a heaven with people carry coats of hummingbird feathers and restaurants without bills, it is criticizing how there isn't anything in this world that is free. Their utopia is one of abundance and excess but also of unawareness, the people don't notice or care for their "yellow dirt" and serve, "four tureens of soup, each garnished with two parakeets, a boiled vulture weighing about two hundred pounds, two delicious roast monkeys, three hundred doves on one plate and six hundred hummingbirds on another..." The Society does not recognize its valuables.
The utopia would obviously be an ideal world, the king accepts strangers into his palace for a month they are even allowed to kiss his cheeks. This would never occur in the "new or old worlds" because of all the stratification that modern societies have. "The door a mere silver, and the rooms were paneled with nothing better than gold..." this quote is very sarcastic, it is targeting the old man who has such insignificant possessions in comparison to the king but in the real world it would be impossible to have gold paneled rooms. This utopia has been created to change the somber mood and keep the characters content but it also shows the emergence of human greed because they take valuables, thinking only of themselves. The characters are a reflection of modern society, they wouldn't be able to live in a utopia like Eldorado because of their greed for material possessions. I found it interesting that the inhabitants were not allowed to leave their city but in such a harmonious place only the most rebellious would want to leave. This may be hinting that the utopia is more autocratic than expected.
When Candide arrives in a port city again with his valuables Voltaire clearly demonstrates the degraded state of human morale by having a captain steal all of Candide's riches, "You see my friend how perishable are the riches of this world." Voltaire's and Candide's explanation for this selfish action is "That is the sort of trick you would expect in the old world." This clearly states Votaire's dislike and pessimistic opinion on the old world or most likely the society he is living in. What I didn't quite understand is why Candide, await his voyage looks for a partner to accompany him, he chose one of the most pessimistic men. You would think that he would have tried to find a man that could cheer him up after his terrible experiences. The fact that his chosen companion, Martin doesn't believe in good keeps the satirical element of irony because he chose the least positive, lost and confuse associate to converse with. Martin's personality is completely opposite to Candide's and this help them contemplate each other's opinions and exchange ideas. Martin's ideology was proved during the voyage with the two battling ships, "you see how men treat each other...there is certainly something diabolical about that." This is a criticism of god's existence. Candide's optimism is also proved when he finds one of his lost sheep.
In the seventeenth and eighteenth chapters Voltaire goes into a lengthy description of the city of Eldorado. The chapter begins with Candide's criticism of the old and new world and is lead to explore a completely different society. The fact that Candide and his servant walked in the general direction of Cayenne made it more probable for them to stumble upon a different society. They took a river which flows in only one direction so it was in a way pushing the pair towards their destiny. The city of Eldorado is created with very Utopian ideals, I think that the author wanted to have a bridge in between all the tragedies and disasters that have occurred and have his characters escape reality for a while. "The children of the kings of this country must be well brought up, if they are taught to despise gold and precious stones." This quote shows how this utopia even rejects objects of greed like valuables which makes it all the more tempting for the two foreigners. The author makes the city an extreme utopia, almost like a heaven with people carry coats of hummingbird feathers and restaurants without bills, it is criticizing how there isn't anything in this world that is free. Their utopia is one of abundance and excess but also of unawareness, the people don't notice or care for their "yellow dirt" and serve, "four tureens of soup, each garnished with two parakeets, a boiled vulture weighing about two hundred pounds, two delicious roast monkeys, three hundred doves on one plate and six hundred hummingbirds on another..." The Society does not recognize its valuables.
The utopia would obviously be an ideal world, the king accepts strangers into his palace for a month they are even allowed to kiss his cheeks. This would never occur in the "new or old worlds" because of all the stratification that modern societies have. "The door a mere silver, and the rooms were paneled with nothing better than gold..." this quote is very sarcastic, it is targeting the old man who has such insignificant possessions in comparison to the king but in the real world it would be impossible to have gold paneled rooms. This utopia has been created to change the somber mood and keep the characters content but it also shows the emergence of human greed because they take valuables, thinking only of themselves. The characters are a reflection of modern society, they wouldn't be able to live in a utopia like Eldorado because of their greed for material possessions. I found it interesting that the inhabitants were not allowed to leave their city but in such a harmonious place only the most rebellious would want to leave. This may be hinting that the utopia is more autocratic than expected.
When Candide arrives in a port city again with his valuables Voltaire clearly demonstrates the degraded state of human morale by having a captain steal all of Candide's riches, "You see my friend how perishable are the riches of this world." Voltaire's and Candide's explanation for this selfish action is "That is the sort of trick you would expect in the old world." This clearly states Votaire's dislike and pessimistic opinion on the old world or most likely the society he is living in. What I didn't quite understand is why Candide, await his voyage looks for a partner to accompany him, he chose one of the most pessimistic men. You would think that he would have tried to find a man that could cheer him up after his terrible experiences. The fact that his chosen companion, Martin doesn't believe in good keeps the satirical element of irony because he chose the least positive, lost and confuse associate to converse with. Martin's personality is completely opposite to Candide's and this help them contemplate each other's opinions and exchange ideas. Martin's ideology was proved during the voyage with the two battling ships, "you see how men treat each other...there is certainly something diabolical about that." This is a criticism of god's existence. Candide's optimism is also proved when he finds one of his lost sheep.
domingo, 6 de abril de 2008
Candide
As I kept reading I found very ridiculous passages in the text, "Pangloss lost only an eye and an ear." This texts shows how satirical this work is because it said ONLY an eye and an ear, most people would be devastated but the author just mentions this tragedy in passing. One thing that I have noticed in this piece is that there aren't many references to time, you don't know if it is day or night most of the time and I was surprised to discover that a few years had passed. I wonder if this method is used as a confusing element to add with the strange encounters and places that Candide visits. This book has many tragedies in it, for example Pangloss is killed but luckily throughout all his adventures Candide survives even if all the skin has been whipped off his back. There is a lot of exaggeration in the novel to add drama and make each short scene more intense for the reader but this exaggeration can make even the most tragic even comical.
The novel had a turning point when Cunegonde is found alive because now Candide becomes not only a heroic man who has gone through torture and war but also is braver with his love at his side. Now we get to hear Cunegonde's stories of her abuse and her family's murder and is even more dramatic than Candide. "You can well imagine how distracted I was. One moment I was almost beside myself with frenzy, the next I was at death's door from very faintness." This is a perfect example of how over dramatic Cunegonde was but it was a good way for the readers to feel the contrasting emotions. As far as I have read I found that the old woman's story was the most dramatic and the most fictional of all of the events that gave me an impression of complete ridicule of misfortune. The story ridicules many areas of every day life like the church, the government etc. The author tries to lighten up any possible terrible situation by making fun of each by exaggerating and using sarcasm, ironies and paradoxes. That is why the book is also called "Optimism" because he creates terrible situations but hast the most hopeful character experience them so that he can still be content with the most awful situations.
The novel had a turning point when Cunegonde is found alive because now Candide becomes not only a heroic man who has gone through torture and war but also is braver with his love at his side. Now we get to hear Cunegonde's stories of her abuse and her family's murder and is even more dramatic than Candide. "You can well imagine how distracted I was. One moment I was almost beside myself with frenzy, the next I was at death's door from very faintness." This is a perfect example of how over dramatic Cunegonde was but it was a good way for the readers to feel the contrasting emotions. As far as I have read I found that the old woman's story was the most dramatic and the most fictional of all of the events that gave me an impression of complete ridicule of misfortune. The story ridicules many areas of every day life like the church, the government etc. The author tries to lighten up any possible terrible situation by making fun of each by exaggerating and using sarcasm, ironies and paradoxes. That is why the book is also called "Optimism" because he creates terrible situations but hast the most hopeful character experience them so that he can still be content with the most awful situations.
jueves, 3 de abril de 2008
"Candide" by Voltaire
I reread the book from the very beginning because I found that the link sent to us on our blogs was a different version from the book. The condensed version on the internet seemed obviously satirical while the book is more cleverly written with the techniques of a satire hidden inside the text. One thing that I found very prominent in all the chapters that I read was Candide referring and using Dr. Pangloss' cause and effect theory. This theory reminded me of Epictetus' "The Handbook" because of the "going with nature" point of view and also Candide and Pangloss make a huge effort to strongly believe there could be other possible outcome than the present one. "For all this," said he, "is a manifestation of the rightness of things, since if there is a volcano at Lisbon it could not be anywhere else. For it is impossible for things not to be the way they are, because everything is for the best." This quote shows their passiveness towards events that could even resemble the Tralfamadorian state of mind, that what happens, happens and you have to move on. Incorporated into that idea was also the conviction that the volcano was there for a reason and we may think its silly but it gave Candide and Pangloss and explanation. Moreover, this way of thinking gave them hope and optimism for a better tomorrow so that they could continue living in whatever circumstances day to day. This way of thinking may be an explanation for Voltaire's title choice, "Candide or Optimism"
In the following chapters Dr. Pangloss and Candide contemplate the meaning of love somewhat spitefully because of their terrible misfortunes. They both were maddened by an overpowering love and they both lost her which made the men bitter, contradictory to what love is. "I Know what love is," said Candide, with a shake of his head,"this sovereign of hearts and quintessence of our souls:my entire reward has been a kiss and twenty kicks on the backside. But how could such a beautiful cause produce so hideous an effect upon you?" This quote is the essence of Candide's spite not only because he's lost his love but the fact that he is in all these terrible places and situations because of one kiss. When describing love Voltaire uses paradoxes to express how bitter-sweet love is, "In her arms I tasted the delights of Paradise, and they produced hellish torments..." This quote is a perfect example of how paradoxical love is, how beautiful yet painful it can be.
In the following chapters Dr. Pangloss and Candide contemplate the meaning of love somewhat spitefully because of their terrible misfortunes. They both were maddened by an overpowering love and they both lost her which made the men bitter, contradictory to what love is. "I Know what love is," said Candide, with a shake of his head,"this sovereign of hearts and quintessence of our souls:my entire reward has been a kiss and twenty kicks on the backside. But how could such a beautiful cause produce so hideous an effect upon you?" This quote is the essence of Candide's spite not only because he's lost his love but the fact that he is in all these terrible places and situations because of one kiss. When describing love Voltaire uses paradoxes to express how bitter-sweet love is, "In her arms I tasted the delights of Paradise, and they produced hellish torments..." This quote is a perfect example of how paradoxical love is, how beautiful yet painful it can be.
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