The Staging for Antigone (Pages 3-6)
While reading, I envisioned the stage to be set to modern times. To explain, I shall post the first paragraph of this play, then explain my thoughts from it to better show my imagery I got from the text.
"ANTIGONE, her hands clasped round her knees, sits on the top step. The THREE GUARDS sit on the steps, in a small group, playing cards. The CHORUS stands on the top step. EURYDICE sits on the top step, just left of center, knitting. The NURSE sits on the second step, left of EURYDICE. Ismene stands in front of arch, left, facing HAEMON, who stands left of her. CREON sits in the chair at right end of the table, his arm over the should of his PAGE, who sits on the stool beside his char. The MESSENGER is leaning against the downstage portal of the right arch."
Picture this. You are in New York. Walking down a sidewalk with trees beginning to turn from the color green to the colors of Fall. They are becoming orange, red, and brown. As you are walking, they are slowly falling one after the other down to the earths soil or to the pavement. Most of the leaves are being caught by the wind and fall onto the pavement instead of the two foot by two foot enclosed black fence where each tree stands in. Of course, these trees are evenly spaced, because that is how nature works. (sarcasm) To the left, there are Townhouses with five gray steps leading to the doors where families live. You keep walking the streets, while cabs honk and people on their bikes are pedaling. Everyone has some place to be, but with all of this madness you are surrounded by, you come across a townhouse that is twice as large as every other one. There is a black fence, and to enter to the five gray steps that are larger and wider, you have to walk under an arch. There is a woman who is sitting on the top step to the far left with her hands crasped around her knees. There are three police officers who are sitting on the top steps to the far right bypassing time by playing cards even though they live in New York, and there is a lot of criminals in the area...... (Which they should be fullfilling their job description when they are CLEARLY NOT!) Then you see a man who seems very proper. He is wearing a gray pin striped suit, and looks as if he has important business to be discussing at that particular time. Your eyes are drawn to the older lady sitting in a rocking chair knitting like the sweet old lady that she seems to be. She is rocking back and forth at a steady pace, looking as if she is in her own world although she is close to the woman named Antigone. One step down and to the right,there is a lady dressed in her work clothes from the night before. Her light blue outift and her plain white shoes indicate she is a nurse from the local hospital. A woman, Ismene, is standing to the left of the arch in front of it. You see her staring at a person by the name of Haemon. You also notice that Haemon is standing to the left of Ismene. Your eyes are directed toward a man, Creon, who is sitting in front of the gate, on the right of Ismene and Haemon, on a chair. While his arm is around his girlfriend who is sitting on a stool. Then, there is the mail man. He is taking a break from work. So he decided to stand by the nearby max station stairs.
This may be completely off, but that description is how I envisioned this part. To me, it seemed like it was a little chaotic, and everyone wanted to be somewhere, but for some reason, they were, where they were. On the other hand, I can envision this being set by a midevil castle and outside the gates of the Kings land. I mostly try to see the play in how it makes sense to me, meaning more modern because I can experience what is going on theoretically, sometime in my life.
November 14, 2011
November 13, 2011
Dystopian Journal Two
"What should I (Offred) take? Something that will not be missed. In the wood at midnight, a magic flower. A withered daffodil, not one from the dried arrangement. The daffodils will soon be thrown out, they're beginning to smell. Along with Serena's stale fumes, the stench of her knitting.
I grope, find an end table, feel. There's a clink, I must have knocked something. I find the daffodils, crisp at the edges where they've dried, limp towards the stems, use my fingers to pinch. I will press this, somewhere. Under the mattress. Leave it there, for the next woman, the one who comes after me, to find.
But there's someone in the room, behind me.
I hear the step, quiet as mine, the creaking of the same floorboard. The door closes behind me, with a little click, cutting the light. I freeze: white was a mistake. I'm snow in moonlight, even in the dark.
Then a whisper: 'Don't scream. It's all right.'
As if I'd scream, as if it's all right. I turn: a shape, that's all, dull glint of cheeckbone, devoid of color.
He steps towards me. Nick.
'What are you doing in here?'
I don't answer. He too is illegal, here, with me, he can't give me away. Nor I him; for the moment we're mirrors. He puts his hands on my arm, pulls me against him, his mouth on mine, what else comes from such denial? Without a word. Both of us shaking, how I'd liketo. In Serena's parlor, with dried flowers, on the Chinese carpet, his thin body. A man entirely unknown. It would be like shouting, it would be like shooting someone. My hand goes down, how about that, I could unbutton, and then. But it's too dangerous, he knows it, we push each other away, not far. Too much trust, too much risk, too much already.
'I was coming to find you,' he says, breathes, almost into my ear. I want to reach up, taste his skin, he makes me hungry."
On page 98, this is the scene when Offred and Nick encounter each other in Serena's parlor. It is late at night and they are both supposed to be in their assigned areas. These two are partaking in illegal actions and could both get in a severe amount of trouble. This page shows that there is sexual tension between them. They both find each other attractive and would like to partake in sexual actions with each other. By reading this page, the reader should be able to tell that this is an important part of the book. Not only does it show there is something between these two characters, it foreshadows what will happen later. This particular scene is the start of their relationship. The setting is also very important to due them being in a restricted zone. One where they should not ever be with out supervision. This shows that they know they are in a place that if caught, they will be sent away, but they keep staying there. Only for a few moments. Why? In general people, even in books, will get adrenaline from partaking in activities that an individual knows that is against the rules.
Characters: Nick/Offred
Setting/Items: Serena's parlor, daffodils, end table, mattress!
I grope, find an end table, feel. There's a clink, I must have knocked something. I find the daffodils, crisp at the edges where they've dried, limp towards the stems, use my fingers to pinch. I will press this, somewhere. Under the mattress. Leave it there, for the next woman, the one who comes after me, to find.
But there's someone in the room, behind me.
I hear the step, quiet as mine, the creaking of the same floorboard. The door closes behind me, with a little click, cutting the light. I freeze: white was a mistake. I'm snow in moonlight, even in the dark.
Then a whisper: 'Don't scream. It's all right.'
As if I'd scream, as if it's all right. I turn: a shape, that's all, dull glint of cheeckbone, devoid of color.
He steps towards me. Nick.
'What are you doing in here?'
I don't answer. He too is illegal, here, with me, he can't give me away. Nor I him; for the moment we're mirrors. He puts his hands on my arm, pulls me against him, his mouth on mine, what else comes from such denial? Without a word. Both of us shaking, how I'd liketo. In Serena's parlor, with dried flowers, on the Chinese carpet, his thin body. A man entirely unknown. It would be like shouting, it would be like shooting someone. My hand goes down, how about that, I could unbutton, and then. But it's too dangerous, he knows it, we push each other away, not far. Too much trust, too much risk, too much already.
'I was coming to find you,' he says, breathes, almost into my ear. I want to reach up, taste his skin, he makes me hungry."
On page 98, this is the scene when Offred and Nick encounter each other in Serena's parlor. It is late at night and they are both supposed to be in their assigned areas. These two are partaking in illegal actions and could both get in a severe amount of trouble. This page shows that there is sexual tension between them. They both find each other attractive and would like to partake in sexual actions with each other. By reading this page, the reader should be able to tell that this is an important part of the book. Not only does it show there is something between these two characters, it foreshadows what will happen later. This particular scene is the start of their relationship. The setting is also very important to due them being in a restricted zone. One where they should not ever be with out supervision. This shows that they know they are in a place that if caught, they will be sent away, but they keep staying there. Only for a few moments. Why? In general people, even in books, will get adrenaline from partaking in activities that an individual knows that is against the rules.
Characters: Nick/Offred
Setting/Items: Serena's parlor, daffodils, end table, mattress!
October 20, 2011
The Handsmaid's Tale
"We slept in what had once been the gymnasium. The floor was of varnished wood, with stripes and circles painted on it, for the games that were formerly played there; the hoops for the basketball nets were still in place, though the nets were gone. A balcony ran around the room, for the spectators, and I thought I could smell, faintly like an afterimage, the pungent scent of sweat, shot through with the sweet taint of chewing gum and perfume from the watching girls, felt-skirted as I knew from pictures, later in miniskirts, then pants, then in one earring, spiky green-streaked hair. Dances would have been held there; the music lingered, a palimpest of unheard sound, style upon style, an undercurrent of drums, a forlorn wail, garlands made of tissue-paper flowers, cardboard devils, a revolving ball of mirrors, powdering the dances with a snow of light." (Page 1, Chapter 1)
The first sentence shows that there are multiple people the main character is near. A gymnasium is a large amount of space, this shows the reader that more than likely, there is a big group of people in this particular area. There is constant imagery within this paragraph, this shows the setting and how this character is looking back in her life. By how the gymnasium is described, it resembles a high school gymnasium. The reader now knows that the main character as well as the "we" characters are in a high school. "...though the nets were gone." This shows that people are not able to play basketball in this area. It shows that having simple fun, as in playing a game, is not allowed. A balcony is over a particular area. The people who are on the balcony are higher than them showing dominance. The rest of the paragraph seems to be a flashback of when there was a dance in the gym around the time of halloween from the "...cardboard devils..." description. This must be a fond memory of the main character.
The first sentence shows that there are multiple people the main character is near. A gymnasium is a large amount of space, this shows the reader that more than likely, there is a big group of people in this particular area. There is constant imagery within this paragraph, this shows the setting and how this character is looking back in her life. By how the gymnasium is described, it resembles a high school gymnasium. The reader now knows that the main character as well as the "we" characters are in a high school. "...though the nets were gone." This shows that people are not able to play basketball in this area. It shows that having simple fun, as in playing a game, is not allowed. A balcony is over a particular area. The people who are on the balcony are higher than them showing dominance. The rest of the paragraph seems to be a flashback of when there was a dance in the gym around the time of halloween from the "...cardboard devils..." description. This must be a fond memory of the main character.
October 17, 2011
The Stranger: Journal Six
Maman.
Father.
Murderer.
Executed.
Ideas.
Mistake.
Realized.
My heart.
Escapes.
Serious.
Possibility.
Fact.
Understand.
I don't feel like talking.
Father.
Murderer.
Executed.
Ideas.
Mistake.
Realized.
My heart.
Escapes.
Serious.
Possibility.
Fact.
Understand.
I don't feel like talking.
The Stranger: Journal Five
First off, part one of this book show's how Meursault seems to be indifferent about everything. He would not go in depth with what he thought or how he felt. He would go to work, drink coffee, smoke, sleep, and partake in sexual activities with Marie. When she asked him about marriage he was indifferent upon the thought. I can back this up by the quote, "That evening Marie came by to see me and asked me if I wanted to marry her. I said it didn't make any difference to me and that we could if she wanted to." (Page 41) By him saying this, it shows to the reader how he is indifferent about his personal relationship. On a side note, I was wondering to myself why she would stay with him. Why would she put herself through a relationship where she loves him, but he does not know what he truly wants and won't give a straight answer? To me, that would be a major red flag with the relationship. In part one there were a few minor characters that were introduced, as in, Marie, Raymond, the boss, the funeral man, the old man with his dog, the girlfriend of Raymond, and Masson. These people were talked about most. Anyhow, Meursault would notice people's physical characteristics through out part one, he would not make such harsh judgements towards people. He seemed grouchy, but he would not say anything, because that was the type of person he was. After he met Raymond, his thoughts and actions became different. He began to think more like Raymond. In part two he stopped drinking coffee, stopped smoking, his sexual life became non-existent due to him being in prison, he stopped noticing people's eyes. There were more people in part two who were talked about. The jury, the judge, the lawyers, the type-writer, the chaplain, some of the other men who were in prison, ect. The setting changed to his house to the prison. His thoughts changed to him actually being thoughtful and appreciating life and not wanting it to end. He thought about how he lived and what he wanted. His thoughts became in depth and he tried to realize that he could have had a better life. He had sudden realizations as in why his Maman had a fiance at the end of her life. Religion was also talked a lot in this part. I think this was to show how important religion is to people. How people use religion as a tool to feel safety, and that there is something better than life on Earth, that there is something to look forward to and not be scared of. I find it interesting how the chaplain says that the people he has seen have converted to God before there death, I find this to be kind of upsetting in a way, that they are either believing in God because they are scared adn do not want to die; but I also find it good that they are believing in something. I am not sure though.
(This may seem a bit jumbly, that is because, it is. My thoughts with this journal are a bit on and off but I hope I made a couple good points.)
(This may seem a bit jumbly, that is because, it is. My thoughts with this journal are a bit on and off but I hope I made a couple good points.)
The Stranger: Journal Four
"He was waving his crucifix almost directly over my head." (Pg. 68)
"He said it was impossible; all men believed in God, even those who turn their backs on him." (pg. 69)
"For the third time I've refused to see the chaplain." (Pg.108)
"I said that I didn't believe in God. He wanted to know if I was sure and I said that I didn't see any reason to ask myself that question: it seemed unimportant." (Pg.116)
"Every man I have known in your position has turned to Him." (Pg. 116-117)
"I had only a little time left and I didn't want to waste it on God." (Pg. 120)
-Characters in this book push religion on others.
-Meursault does not believe that he should turn to religion because he is in a tough spot.
-The second to last quote shows that most people who are scared to die turn to religion.
-Meursault stays true to his beliefs.
"One last thing: it seems your mother often expressed to her friends her desire for a religious burial." (Pg. 6)
"While not an athiest, Maman had never in her life given a thought to religion." (Pg.6)
-Maman never thought about religion. When she was close to dieing, she wanted something better to hope for. Therefore she went to religion.
Marie almost sounds like Mary. This seemed to be reffering to the Virgin Mary in bibical terms; although the reader understands that she is the exact opposite of the bibical woman.
"Over his bed he has a pink-and-white plaster angel, somepicture of famous athletes, and two or three photographs of naked women."
-Raymond uses the angel to justify his actions.
"He said it was impossible; all men believed in God, even those who turn their backs on him." (pg. 69)
"For the third time I've refused to see the chaplain." (Pg.108)
"I said that I didn't believe in God. He wanted to know if I was sure and I said that I didn't see any reason to ask myself that question: it seemed unimportant." (Pg.116)
"Every man I have known in your position has turned to Him." (Pg. 116-117)
"I had only a little time left and I didn't want to waste it on God." (Pg. 120)
-Characters in this book push religion on others.
-Meursault does not believe that he should turn to religion because he is in a tough spot.
-The second to last quote shows that most people who are scared to die turn to religion.
-Meursault stays true to his beliefs.
"One last thing: it seems your mother often expressed to her friends her desire for a religious burial." (Pg. 6)
"While not an athiest, Maman had never in her life given a thought to religion." (Pg.6)
-Maman never thought about religion. When she was close to dieing, she wanted something better to hope for. Therefore she went to religion.
Marie almost sounds like Mary. This seemed to be reffering to the Virgin Mary in bibical terms; although the reader understands that she is the exact opposite of the bibical woman.
"Over his bed he has a pink-and-white plaster angel, somepicture of famous athletes, and two or three photographs of naked women."
-Raymond uses the angel to justify his actions.
The Stranger: Journal Three
Stranger:
1. a person with whom one has had no personal acquaintance.
Outsider:
1. a person not belonging to a particular group, set, party, etc.
Foreigner:
1. a person not native to or naturalized in the country or jurisdiction under consideration; alien.
(Definitions from Dictionary.com)
I am not quite sure if my interpretation of the title is correct, or even remotely accurate, but this is what I think the title is reffering to. Obviously the book focus's on Meusault. I believe that the title refers towards this character in some way. He is a type of person who keeps to himself; he is also the type of person when he doesn't have a preference or does not really care for something, he will not say anything. "I didn't say anything..." (Pg. 29) He seems to be a stranger, because he is indeed an "interesting" character in society, but he always seems to be an outsider. Since he killed a man, he was sent to prison, criminals are thought to be "outsiders" due to their actions. They are sent away. Away from society. I think the foreign part is talking about the Arabs. I am a little confused upon this concept.
1. a person with whom one has had no personal acquaintance.
Outsider:
1. a person not belonging to a particular group, set, party, etc.
Foreigner:
1. a person not native to or naturalized in the country or jurisdiction under consideration; alien.
(Definitions from Dictionary.com)
I am not quite sure if my interpretation of the title is correct, or even remotely accurate, but this is what I think the title is reffering to. Obviously the book focus's on Meusault. I believe that the title refers towards this character in some way. He is a type of person who keeps to himself; he is also the type of person when he doesn't have a preference or does not really care for something, he will not say anything. "I didn't say anything..." (Pg. 29) He seems to be a stranger, because he is indeed an "interesting" character in society, but he always seems to be an outsider. Since he killed a man, he was sent to prison, criminals are thought to be "outsiders" due to their actions. They are sent away. Away from society. I think the foreign part is talking about the Arabs. I am a little confused upon this concept.
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