Kate Chopin
Kate Chopin
- Kate Chopin was born Kate O'Flaherty in St. Louis, Missouri in 1850. She was a novelist and a short story writer. Her novels include The awakening and At fault. Desiree's baby is one of her short stories. Many of her stories and novels are based on her life and women in general in Louisiana.
Died-August 22, 1904 (aged 54)St. Louis, Missouri, United States.
Within a decade of her death, Chopin was widely recognized as one of the leading writers of her time.
Desiree's baby
Desiree's baby is a short story and it explores the idea of love, race and karma. Desiree's baby is about a man Armand who is very arrogant and cruel when t comes to slaves, particularly black slaves. He is very proud of his family name as he states it to be 'one of the oldest and proudest in Louisiana'. Armand falls in love with Desiree, a girl who has no identity or background, but that doesn't affect how Armand feels about Desiree, ' Armand did not care'. The two get married and have a baby together. After a while Armand begins to distance himself from Desiree and his baby and begins to act cruelly again with the slaves. Towards the end we find out that Desiree is actually mixed race which is why Armand feels ashamed of her. The story takes a tragic turn when Desiree drowns in the river along with her baby. The writer ends the story with a shocking twist where it is revealed that Armand is mixed race himself.
I felt the short story captured the essence of pride and prejudice being greater than love perfectly. In fact whilst reading the story I felt that when Armand wished to marry Desiree it was not because his love was pure but in fact it was superficial because his pride mattered to him the most and he had made up his mind to marry Desiree so he would not let anything hurt his pride. I felt that Desiree's love for Armand was pure but it was because she had no choice but to fall in love with him as he had straight away asked to marry her. When Armand finds out that Desiree is in fact mixed race he doesn't ask her to leave but simply distances himself from her and the baby because his pride had been hurt and he didn't want to bring about disgrace to the family name if he revealed it to the world. The writer also uses the controversial issue of race and how it affects love. If it was the other way round and Desiree found out first that Armand was mixed race she would have perhaps hidden it from him and pretended as if she didn't know mostly because her love was genuine. As Armand's pride overtakes him he chooses to let Desiree go and it is his karma that brings him to shame by the end.
I felt the short story captured the essence of pride and prejudice being greater than love perfectly. In fact whilst reading the story I felt that when Armand wished to marry Desiree it was not because his love was pure but in fact it was superficial because his pride mattered to him the most and he had made up his mind to marry Desiree so he would not let anything hurt his pride. I felt that Desiree's love for Armand was pure but it was because she had no choice but to fall in love with him as he had straight away asked to marry her. When Armand finds out that Desiree is in fact mixed race he doesn't ask her to leave but simply distances himself from her and the baby because his pride had been hurt and he didn't want to bring about disgrace to the family name if he revealed it to the world. The writer also uses the controversial issue of race and how it affects love. If it was the other way round and Desiree found out first that Armand was mixed race she would have perhaps hidden it from him and pretended as if she didn't know mostly because her love was genuine. As Armand's pride overtakes him he chooses to let Desiree go and it is his karma that brings him to shame by the end.
Raymond Chandler
Raymond Thornton Chandler
Line from The Big Sleep
'Don't fuss with me little man.' The purring voice had an edge, like sand in the bearings.
The line 'don't fuss with me' indicates that the man is not one to start an argument with as he may be short tempered. He seems to be giving the 'little man' a warning as to not irritate him. This suggests that he may have the dominance in that conversation. Also by calling the other guy a 'little man' he is lowering his self esteem and trying to make him feel low about himslef. It makes me feel almost threatned as the man seems to have an overpowering nature.
The 'purring' suggests that he is somewhat trying to remain calm and collected but the 'edge' suggests that anything the man would say might irritate him even more. The line 'like sand in the bearings' is a metaphor used to show that his voice had a rough edge to it, almost as if he might loose his temper.
- (July 23, 1888 – March 26, 1959)
He was an American novelist and screenwriter.
In 1932 Raymond Chandler decided to become a detective fiction writer.
His first novel, The Big Sleep was published in 1939.
All his novels except for Playback have been made into motion pictures.
In the year before he died, he was elected president of the Mystery Writers of America.
He died on March 26, 1959, in La Jolla, California.Chandler had a stylistic influence on american popular literature.
Line from The Big Sleep
'Don't fuss with me little man.' The purring voice had an edge, like sand in the bearings.
The line 'don't fuss with me' indicates that the man is not one to start an argument with as he may be short tempered. He seems to be giving the 'little man' a warning as to not irritate him. This suggests that he may have the dominance in that conversation. Also by calling the other guy a 'little man' he is lowering his self esteem and trying to make him feel low about himslef. It makes me feel almost threatned as the man seems to have an overpowering nature.
The 'purring' suggests that he is somewhat trying to remain calm and collected but the 'edge' suggests that anything the man would say might irritate him even more. The line 'like sand in the bearings' is a metaphor used to show that his voice had a rough edge to it, almost as if he might loose his temper.
Jonathan Swift
Jonathan Swift background
(Dryden) Swift, was the niece of Sir Erasmus Dryden, grandfather of the
poet John Dryden. The same grandmother's aunt, Katherine (Throckmorton)
Dryden, was a first cousin of Elizabeth, wife of Sir Walter Raleigh.
His great-great grandmother, Margaret (Godwin) Swift, was the sister
of Francis Godwin, author of The Man in the Moone which influenced parts of
Swift's Gulliver's Travels.
His uncle, Thomas Swift, married a daughter of the poet and playwright Sir William Davenant,
a godson of William Shakespeare. Some of swift's most famous works icnlude Gulliver's travels, a
modest proposal and a tale of a tub.
- Jonathan Swift was born in Dublin, Ireland.
(Dryden) Swift, was the niece of Sir Erasmus Dryden, grandfather of the
poet John Dryden. The same grandmother's aunt, Katherine (Throckmorton)
Dryden, was a first cousin of Elizabeth, wife of Sir Walter Raleigh.
His great-great grandmother, Margaret (Godwin) Swift, was the sister
of Francis Godwin, author of The Man in the Moone which influenced parts of
Swift's Gulliver's Travels.
His uncle, Thomas Swift, married a daughter of the poet and playwright Sir William Davenant,
a godson of William Shakespeare. Some of swift's most famous works icnlude Gulliver's travels, a
modest proposal and a tale of a tub.
Synopsis of a Modest Proposal
“A Modest Proposal” begins with an account of the poverty-stricken state of many in Ireland. Swift expresses sympathy and the need for a solution. This proposal hopefully will decrease the number of abortions performed by poor mothers. The writer calculates the number of infants born in Ireland and asks what should be done with them. He points out that they are unfit for any employment, being even too young to steal. Neither will merchants buy or sell children. Therefore, it seems like a good idea that the people of Ireland simply eat the infants when they reach the age of one year.
This is obviously a satirical proposal because it is impossible to imagine a serious proposal for eating children. But that is the main aim of proposals. They have to be so ironically and satirically encouraging that it forces the reader to wonder whether the writer is being serious. Swift explores the themes of religion, prejudice, poverty which is what makes his proposal hard hitting and wittily powerful.
The theme of prejudice against the lower classes is revealed in suggestions such as the idea that the carcasses of the poor children could be used for clothing, women’s gloves. Swift suggests, with this extreme example, as well as his declaration that the landlords have already “devoured” the poor infants’ parents, that the rich live at the expense of the poor. By referring next to another person , “a very worthy person” (who is meant to represent a member of the upper classes). Swift furthers his satire of the upper classes by implying that there are people so disconnected from the lower classes that they might agree with this outlandish proposal.
Swift extends his mockery of the upper class and the general system in Ireland by putting off the actual suggestion of eating babies until several paragraphs into the proposal, which makes his idea all the more arresting when it does come. Swift once again subverts the reader's expectations by stating that some people are in fact so cold in reality that they could be swayed by this merely practical numerically proven argument and cannot even see the outrage of cannibalism.
Finally, Swift reassures the reader that he has nothing to gain economically from his proposal, for he has no children. He is merely suggesting that the purpose of these satirical proposals is for the good of society and should therefore be believed to be sincere.
“A Modest Proposal” begins with an account of the poverty-stricken state of many in Ireland. Swift expresses sympathy and the need for a solution. This proposal hopefully will decrease the number of abortions performed by poor mothers. The writer calculates the number of infants born in Ireland and asks what should be done with them. He points out that they are unfit for any employment, being even too young to steal. Neither will merchants buy or sell children. Therefore, it seems like a good idea that the people of Ireland simply eat the infants when they reach the age of one year.
This is obviously a satirical proposal because it is impossible to imagine a serious proposal for eating children. But that is the main aim of proposals. They have to be so ironically and satirically encouraging that it forces the reader to wonder whether the writer is being serious. Swift explores the themes of religion, prejudice, poverty which is what makes his proposal hard hitting and wittily powerful.
The theme of prejudice against the lower classes is revealed in suggestions such as the idea that the carcasses of the poor children could be used for clothing, women’s gloves. Swift suggests, with this extreme example, as well as his declaration that the landlords have already “devoured” the poor infants’ parents, that the rich live at the expense of the poor. By referring next to another person , “a very worthy person” (who is meant to represent a member of the upper classes). Swift furthers his satire of the upper classes by implying that there are people so disconnected from the lower classes that they might agree with this outlandish proposal.
Swift extends his mockery of the upper class and the general system in Ireland by putting off the actual suggestion of eating babies until several paragraphs into the proposal, which makes his idea all the more arresting when it does come. Swift once again subverts the reader's expectations by stating that some people are in fact so cold in reality that they could be swayed by this merely practical numerically proven argument and cannot even see the outrage of cannibalism.
Finally, Swift reassures the reader that he has nothing to gain economically from his proposal, for he has no children. He is merely suggesting that the purpose of these satirical proposals is for the good of society and should therefore be believed to be sincere.
Satire
A literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision,or ridicule. Satire is used to ridicule a serious issue in a sarcastic or ironic matter. One of the most famous pieces of satire include Jonathan Swift's A modest proposal in which he brings up the issue of preventing the children of poor people in Ireland from being a burden to their parents or country and for making then beneficial to the public.
My own attempt to Satire
Secondary School is one monstrous battlefield. From the moment you walk in, we are told this is when the real struggle begins. This is the point in your life where you really start discovering yourself and begin to sculpt that future that your parents and your primary teachers have moulded for you. As soon as you take the first step of this new journey, a thousand thoughts start flooding your mind; Don't be a loser, don't be too stupid, don't be too smart, don't be too pretty, don't be too sporty, don't be too nice, don't be too mean, but most of all, be yourself.
Above anything though what seems to bother children these days is whether they'll be able to form a tight clique because those are the people that you would probably be stuck with for the next five years. Don't let just anyone in; they aren't as good as you. Create drama, but please, be happy. Survive the grenades and heavy artillery thrown at you. But don't worry about all that because these things will contribute in making you a better and stronger person. Every day some children come home with teary eyes, dead inside from the trauma of fighting to be free.
It's a science, learn to be who they want you to be. Don't you dare budge, stay straight as an arrow. Fit yourself into a stereotype to stay afloat, don't let yourself go under.Preserve that reputation you hold so dear, what else is there to live for? Oh, I don't know, World hunger, peace? No, no, focus on the newest craze in fashion or the newest version of GTA.
This is secondary school, a world of its own. The best and worst thing to ever happen to an adolescent. A tiny bubble, filled with craziness, gossip, and most of all drama. We're all cut off from truth, a planet so foreign, it's as if you cannot breathe. A torture chamber lasting for five years. Trying to wiggle our way through this short but sweet ocean until we reach the end of our GCSE's. The day we all step up, letting nothing bring us down. Being prepared to step into another "adventure", starting a new journey called A levels.
I'd like to tell them to shove it. Secondary school is five years, life is many more. What does it matter who you are in school? It's more important how you are as a person and that person will teach you the real values and morals of the toughest "adventure" called LIFE.
Secondary School is one monstrous battlefield. From the moment you walk in, we are told this is when the real struggle begins. This is the point in your life where you really start discovering yourself and begin to sculpt that future that your parents and your primary teachers have moulded for you. As soon as you take the first step of this new journey, a thousand thoughts start flooding your mind; Don't be a loser, don't be too stupid, don't be too smart, don't be too pretty, don't be too sporty, don't be too nice, don't be too mean, but most of all, be yourself.
Above anything though what seems to bother children these days is whether they'll be able to form a tight clique because those are the people that you would probably be stuck with for the next five years. Don't let just anyone in; they aren't as good as you. Create drama, but please, be happy. Survive the grenades and heavy artillery thrown at you. But don't worry about all that because these things will contribute in making you a better and stronger person. Every day some children come home with teary eyes, dead inside from the trauma of fighting to be free.
It's a science, learn to be who they want you to be. Don't you dare budge, stay straight as an arrow. Fit yourself into a stereotype to stay afloat, don't let yourself go under.Preserve that reputation you hold so dear, what else is there to live for? Oh, I don't know, World hunger, peace? No, no, focus on the newest craze in fashion or the newest version of GTA.
This is secondary school, a world of its own. The best and worst thing to ever happen to an adolescent. A tiny bubble, filled with craziness, gossip, and most of all drama. We're all cut off from truth, a planet so foreign, it's as if you cannot breathe. A torture chamber lasting for five years. Trying to wiggle our way through this short but sweet ocean until we reach the end of our GCSE's. The day we all step up, letting nothing bring us down. Being prepared to step into another "adventure", starting a new journey called A levels.
I'd like to tell them to shove it. Secondary school is five years, life is many more. What does it matter who you are in school? It's more important how you are as a person and that person will teach you the real values and morals of the toughest "adventure" called LIFE.
Cormac McCarthy
Cormac McCarthy was born in Rhode Island on July 20, 1933. He is the third of six children (the eldest son) born to Charles Joseph and Gladys Christina McGrail McCarthy (he has
two brothers and three sisters). Originally named Charles (after his father), he
renamed himself Cormac after the Irish King (another source says that McCarthy’s
family was responsible for legally changing his name to the Gaelic equivalent of
“son of Charles”). His books include “All the Pretty Horses,” “No Country for Old Men” and “The Road,”
which won the Pulitzer Prize. In 2006, “The Road,” about a father and son who journey across a post-apocalyptic wasteland, was published. The novel won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize. In 2007, the famously reclusive McCarthy gave his first-ever television interview to Oprah Winfrey after she selected “The Road” for her on-air book club. In 2009, a big-screen adaptation of “The Road,” featuring Viggo Mortensen, was released.
Cormac McCarthy was born in Rhode Island on July 20, 1933. He is the third of six children (the eldest son) born to Charles Joseph and Gladys Christina McGrail McCarthy (he has
two brothers and three sisters). Originally named Charles (after his father), he
renamed himself Cormac after the Irish King (another source says that McCarthy’s
family was responsible for legally changing his name to the Gaelic equivalent of
“son of Charles”). His books include “All the Pretty Horses,” “No Country for Old Men” and “The Road,”
which won the Pulitzer Prize. In 2006, “The Road,” about a father and son who journey across a post-apocalyptic wasteland, was published. The novel won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize. In 2007, the famously reclusive McCarthy gave his first-ever television interview to Oprah Winfrey after she selected “The Road” for her on-air book club. In 2009, a big-screen adaptation of “The Road,” featuring Viggo Mortensen, was released.
The Road Synopsis
An apocalyptic event has struck and The
Road follows the journey of a father and son who struggle to survive with the
limited amount of food and supplies they have. They come across dangerous
situation in the form of cannibals who travel in a group and eat other people in
order to survive. The first dangerous situation they are put under is when the
man and the boy run into one of the cannibals who try to kill the boy but they
manage to escape when the man shoots the cannibal in the
head.
Due to the shortage of food and supplies
the man and the boy look around a few houses and come across a basement in one
of the houses full of captives that are to be harvested. The horrifying scene
puts them in a dangerous place where the gang that lives in the house almost
catches them, yet they manage to escape again. They continue their journey, on the verge of being starved, when they find a shelter filled with canned food and supplies. The duo stays there for three days but they hear a dog and in the fear of getting caught they run away from there. The man at this point begins to getvery sick and starts coughing blood. The boy finds a house and they stay there for another few days with supplies like clothes and blankets.
They leave the house and start travelling towards the beach where they find a wrecked ship full of food and supplies such as a flare pistol and batteries. Their luck takes a wrong turn when the boy gets sick. The man is at his side trying to keep the boy alive and he soon recovers. However someone comes and steals their cart and supplies, they chase the thief down and catch up to him. The thief begs for mercy but the man makes him strip. The boy is upset with how his father treated the thief.
They continue to travel along the coastline when the man suddenly gets shot with an arrow that creates a nasty wound. Eventually the man suffers from severe illness and is not able to carry on due to his excessive loss of blood. He tells the boy to go on without him but the boy refuses and stays by his side. The man dies and the boy stays there for three days mourning his father’s death. A guy appears before the boy telling him to come with his family, there is a brief exchange, he says goodbye to his dad and goes with the guy. The family takes him and we discover that the dog that appeared before is the family’s dog. The novel ends on a note of hope: perhaps compassionate people are the ones that are able to survive in disastrous situations eventually re-building a tolerable world.
An apocalyptic event has struck and The
Road follows the journey of a father and son who struggle to survive with the
limited amount of food and supplies they have. They come across dangerous
situation in the form of cannibals who travel in a group and eat other people in
order to survive. The first dangerous situation they are put under is when the
man and the boy run into one of the cannibals who try to kill the boy but they
manage to escape when the man shoots the cannibal in the
head.
Due to the shortage of food and supplies
the man and the boy look around a few houses and come across a basement in one
of the houses full of captives that are to be harvested. The horrifying scene
puts them in a dangerous place where the gang that lives in the house almost
catches them, yet they manage to escape again. They continue their journey, on the verge of being starved, when they find a shelter filled with canned food and supplies. The duo stays there for three days but they hear a dog and in the fear of getting caught they run away from there. The man at this point begins to getvery sick and starts coughing blood. The boy finds a house and they stay there for another few days with supplies like clothes and blankets.
They leave the house and start travelling towards the beach where they find a wrecked ship full of food and supplies such as a flare pistol and batteries. Their luck takes a wrong turn when the boy gets sick. The man is at his side trying to keep the boy alive and he soon recovers. However someone comes and steals their cart and supplies, they chase the thief down and catch up to him. The thief begs for mercy but the man makes him strip. The boy is upset with how his father treated the thief.
They continue to travel along the coastline when the man suddenly gets shot with an arrow that creates a nasty wound. Eventually the man suffers from severe illness and is not able to carry on due to his excessive loss of blood. He tells the boy to go on without him but the boy refuses and stays by his side. The man dies and the boy stays there for three days mourning his father’s death. A guy appears before the boy telling him to come with his family, there is a brief exchange, he says goodbye to his dad and goes with the guy. The family takes him and we discover that the dog that appeared before is the family’s dog. The novel ends on a note of hope: perhaps compassionate people are the ones that are able to survive in disastrous situations eventually re-building a tolerable world.