My teammates in this activity are Shane, Edmond, and Maddie . Check out their blogs for their contributions to our understanding of this novel.
Passage Picker
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way."
The novel starts out with a potent and memorable list of paradoxes to depict the setting. This creative way of getting to the point and spicing up the exposition demonstrates Dickens' skill with writing.
A couple of passages that stood out to me where ones where Dickens personifies words by naming them such as Hunger, Death, and Want. . Read these passages.
"Death is Nature’s remedy for all things, and why not Legislation’s? Accordingly, the forger was put to Death; the utterer of a bad note was put to Death; the unlawful opener of a letter was put to Death; the purloiner of forty shillings and sixpence was put to Death; the holder of a horse at Tellson’s door, who made off with it, was put to Death; the coiner of a bad shilling was put to Death; the sounders of three-fourths of the notes in the whole gamut of Crime, were put to Death."
"The mill which had worked them down, was the mill that grinds young people old; the children had ancient faces and grave voices; and upon them, and upon the grown faces, and ploughed into every furrow of age and coming up afresh, was the sigh, Hunger. It was prevalent everywhere. Hunger was pushed out of the tall houses, in the wretched clothing that hung upon poles and lines; Hunger was patched into them with straw and rag and wood and paper; Hunger was repeated in every fragment of the small modicum of firewood that the man sawed off; Hunger stared down from the smokeless chimneys, and stared up from the filthy street that had no offal, among its refuse, of anything to eat. Hunger was the inscription on the baker’s shelves, written in every small loaf of his scanty stock of bad bread; at the sausage-shop, in every dead-dog preparation that was offered for sale. Hunger rattled its dry bones among the roasting chestnuts in the turned cylinder; Hunger was shred into atomics in every farthing porringer of husky chips of potato, fried with some reluctant drops of oil."
"Depressed and slinking though they were, eyes of fire were not wanting among them; nor compressed lips, white with what they suppressed; nor foreheads knitted into the likeness of the gallows-rope they mused about enduring, or inflicting. The trade sips (and they were almost as many as the shops) were, all, grim illustrations of Want."
I think that Dickens' goal in using personification was to make these qualities more present and alarming. When the reader envisions these as actual people, the result is that they will take them more seriously. The technique is creative and original theme that he carries through the text.
"All the people within reach had suspended their business, or their idleness, to run to the spot and drink the wine. The rough, irregular stones of the street, pointing every way, and designed, one might have thought, expressly to lame all living creatures that approached them, had dammed it into little pools; these were surrounded, each by its own jostling group or crowd, according to its size. Some men kneeled down, made scoops of their two hands joined, and sipped, or tried to help women, who bent over their shoulders, to sip, before the wine had all run out between their fingers. Others, men and women, dipped in the puddles with little mugs of mutilated earthenware, or even with handkerchiefs from women’s heads, which were squeezed dry into infants’ mouths; others made small mud-embankments, to stem the wine as it ran; others, directed by lookers-on up at high windows, darted here and there, to cut off little streams of wine that started away in new directions; others devoted themselves to the sodden and lee-dyed pieces of the cask, licking, and even champing the moister wine-rotted fragments with eager relish. There was no drainage to carry off the wine, and not only did it all get taken up, but so much mud got taken up along with it, that there might have been a scavenger in the street, if anybody acquainted with it could have believed in such a miraculous presence."
This passage stood out to me because of it's comedic effect. He highlights the severity of poverty with a comedic reaction to the spilling of wine. It creates a sort of dark humor, where the situation is equally alarming as it is comical. Interestingly enough, he makes a reference to this scene late in the novel.
"Headlong, mad, and dangerous footsteps to force their way into anybody’s life, footsteps not easily made clean again if once stained red, the footsteps raging in Saint Antoine afar off, as the little circle sat in the dark London window."
By making this reference, Dickens' subtlety reminds the reader of an earlier scene.
Monday, December 2, 2013
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Practice Essay
Garcin became adept at tuning things out. He was spending eternity with a room full of people he despised, so naturally it became important to him that he heard as little as possible from them. Down in hell, he was used to hearing all types of odd noises from the outside. But this scream had a certain resonance with him. He had heard the voice before, sometime in his childhood. The voice brought back a sense of sentiment that he hadn't felt since he entered the room. Suddenly, the door was thrust open. The scream occurred again, this time louder.
Garcin froze. Clearly something had to be done. His conscience started to beg him to take action. But he had forgotten what it was like to feel, to take action on another’s behalf. He starts pacing the room terrified by the screams that he hears, trying to peek out the door to see who is causing them. But he can’t summon the courage to step outside of the room. Estella and Inez laugh and call him a coward, and in his heart he feels that they are right. He tries to prove them wrong but every time he starts to leave his heart races and he panics.
This situation epitomizes Garcin’s character. He is tremendously indecisive and afraid to take action. Sartre characterizes him through his past life and his dialogue. In his past life, he fled when he was called to duty. In his dialogue, he seeks acceptance from his peers, he wants them to tell him that he was not wrong in doing what he did. This is why he never takes action. Not only is he in trepidation of the unknown, but also he cannot bear the judgment of others. All of his actions are either dictated be the interest of himself or the judgment of others. He begs and screams for the door to open. As if to call his bluff, it swings wide open. Despite his clear desire to go outside, he doesn't for two reasons. One, his is deathly afraid of what could or could not be out there. He is uncomfortable in any situation where he does not have control. The second reason is because of the reaction he receives from Inez. She feels leaving the room would be cowardly, and he wants to prove that he is not a coward in the afterlife, since he was incapable to do it during his first life.
Garcin’s situation parallels that of the slaves from Plato’s allegory of the cave. Both are confined by their fear of the unknown. The slaves of the cave are shackled to and have reason to be afraid of the outside world. Garcin’s situation is a little bit different. He was never shackled against his will, but one could argue he is a victim of his circumstance. There is not enough evidence about Garcin’s life to really prove that his situation led him to be afraid. But the metaphor in Plato’s allegory connects the slaves to the entire human race. We are all shackled, by tradition, by fear, by hate. Garcin was never rescued by an enlightened soul, and surely he won’t be encountering any in hell. So he must save himself independently, which as Plato illustrates, is very difficult to do. No one will drag him into the light or out that door, he must find the courage to do it himself. I believe that if he ver found the courage to aid that scream, he would end up in a much better place.
Based off his characterization, even the most touching of occurrences would not uproot Garcin room his room of confinement. Like a prisoner of the cave, he will stay there with th shadows until someone else drags him out. It is the courage and selflessness that is lacking. Garcin needs to have more passion for others in order to summon the courage to help the terrified person outside the door. The prisoners of the cave need assistance to be freed from the cave and dragged out into the light to be enlightened. The human race needs individuals who have both the courage to seek enlightenment and the compassion to share it with the rest of us.
Garcin froze. Clearly something had to be done. His conscience started to beg him to take action. But he had forgotten what it was like to feel, to take action on another’s behalf. He starts pacing the room terrified by the screams that he hears, trying to peek out the door to see who is causing them. But he can’t summon the courage to step outside of the room. Estella and Inez laugh and call him a coward, and in his heart he feels that they are right. He tries to prove them wrong but every time he starts to leave his heart races and he panics.
This situation epitomizes Garcin’s character. He is tremendously indecisive and afraid to take action. Sartre characterizes him through his past life and his dialogue. In his past life, he fled when he was called to duty. In his dialogue, he seeks acceptance from his peers, he wants them to tell him that he was not wrong in doing what he did. This is why he never takes action. Not only is he in trepidation of the unknown, but also he cannot bear the judgment of others. All of his actions are either dictated be the interest of himself or the judgment of others. He begs and screams for the door to open. As if to call his bluff, it swings wide open. Despite his clear desire to go outside, he doesn't for two reasons. One, his is deathly afraid of what could or could not be out there. He is uncomfortable in any situation where he does not have control. The second reason is because of the reaction he receives from Inez. She feels leaving the room would be cowardly, and he wants to prove that he is not a coward in the afterlife, since he was incapable to do it during his first life.
Garcin’s situation parallels that of the slaves from Plato’s allegory of the cave. Both are confined by their fear of the unknown. The slaves of the cave are shackled to and have reason to be afraid of the outside world. Garcin’s situation is a little bit different. He was never shackled against his will, but one could argue he is a victim of his circumstance. There is not enough evidence about Garcin’s life to really prove that his situation led him to be afraid. But the metaphor in Plato’s allegory connects the slaves to the entire human race. We are all shackled, by tradition, by fear, by hate. Garcin was never rescued by an enlightened soul, and surely he won’t be encountering any in hell. So he must save himself independently, which as Plato illustrates, is very difficult to do. No one will drag him into the light or out that door, he must find the courage to do it himself. I believe that if he ver found the courage to aid that scream, he would end up in a much better place.
Based off his characterization, even the most touching of occurrences would not uproot Garcin room his room of confinement. Like a prisoner of the cave, he will stay there with th shadows until someone else drags him out. It is the courage and selflessness that is lacking. Garcin needs to have more passion for others in order to summon the courage to help the terrified person outside the door. The prisoners of the cave need assistance to be freed from the cave and dragged out into the light to be enlightened. The human race needs individuals who have both the courage to seek enlightenment and the compassion to share it with the rest of us.
What I miss in class...
A while back I played in a CIF semi-final, and I am grateful for the opportunity. Of course, we would have an in-class essay on that day! So I gave myself a period's worth of time to write this essay. Enjoy!
Plato’s metaphor in the “Allegory” compares the human race to the prisoners in cave in an attempt to illustrate the limits of human understanding and convey what is possible with open-mindedness. In my life, the allegory reminds me to be open to new people, ideas, and experiences, humble about our lack of illumination, and courageous enough to step into the light.
By using a metaphor, Plato can effectively convey his message. Terms such as shackles grasp the reader’s attention and highlight the severity of our situation. The contrast between light and darkness also masterfully explain our difficulty to fathom certain ideas. The emotions elicited will make the readers try to change their lifestyles in order to “save themselves from the cave.” It will make them humble, receptive and brave. These are the three qualities that reading the “Allegory” makes me want to improve in my life.
Tethered in the darkness, the prisoners would discuss the shadows they could perceive. When someone from the outside came and told them the actual depiction of these shadows, they laughed because they thought that they knew better. Had they been more receptive, perhaps they would have a better grasp on reality. So it is with our modern lives today. With the expansion of the internet, there are a lot of sources out there. Keeping an open mind is the best thing you can do to utilize this. Many people out there are more enlightened than others in certain areas. Take advantage of their enlightenment and allow them to help you. Do not force them to drag you into the light, rather seek it out yourself.
Part of Plato’s purpose in the “Allegory” was to remind us how little we actually know. IT is easy to get caught up in trivial things and to feel important because of your accomplishments. The “Allegory” reminds us that our accomplishments may be nothing more than excellence at recognizing shadows and that we are missing the reality. In my life, it reminds me to stay humble. By taking a step back out of my narrow personal mindset, I am better adjusted to the light and capable of perceiving the entire picture.
The last thing that the “Allegory” insists that the human race needs is courage. Only with the courage to step into the light can we reach illumination. This goes along with trying new things. Personally, I need to try to push the limits every once in a while. It is part of my identity. If I am not taking chances our leaving my comfort zone, I may as well be a prisoner in a cave, content to watch the shadows of the real world. To go out into reality and enjoy life takes courage, but it must be done.
Plato’s metaphor in the “Allegory” compares the human race to the prisoners in cave in an attempt to illustrate the limits of human understanding and convey what is possible with open-mindedness. In my life, the allegory reminds me to be open to new people, ideas, and experiences, humble about our lack of illumination, and courageous enough to step into the light.
By using a metaphor, Plato can effectively convey his message. Terms such as shackles grasp the reader’s attention and highlight the severity of our situation. The contrast between light and darkness also masterfully explain our difficulty to fathom certain ideas. The emotions elicited will make the readers try to change their lifestyles in order to “save themselves from the cave.” It will make them humble, receptive and brave. These are the three qualities that reading the “Allegory” makes me want to improve in my life.
Tethered in the darkness, the prisoners would discuss the shadows they could perceive. When someone from the outside came and told them the actual depiction of these shadows, they laughed because they thought that they knew better. Had they been more receptive, perhaps they would have a better grasp on reality. So it is with our modern lives today. With the expansion of the internet, there are a lot of sources out there. Keeping an open mind is the best thing you can do to utilize this. Many people out there are more enlightened than others in certain areas. Take advantage of their enlightenment and allow them to help you. Do not force them to drag you into the light, rather seek it out yourself.
Part of Plato’s purpose in the “Allegory” was to remind us how little we actually know. IT is easy to get caught up in trivial things and to feel important because of your accomplishments. The “Allegory” reminds us that our accomplishments may be nothing more than excellence at recognizing shadows and that we are missing the reality. In my life, it reminds me to stay humble. By taking a step back out of my narrow personal mindset, I am better adjusted to the light and capable of perceiving the entire picture.
The last thing that the “Allegory” insists that the human race needs is courage. Only with the courage to step into the light can we reach illumination. This goes along with trying new things. Personally, I need to try to push the limits every once in a while. It is part of my identity. If I am not taking chances our leaving my comfort zone, I may as well be a prisoner in a cave, content to watch the shadows of the real world. To go out into reality and enjoy life takes courage, but it must be done.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Thinking Outside the Box
Plato and Sartre both address limitations to thinking in different ways. In the allegory, thoughts are confined to a cave. There is an opening, but the prisoners are chained and prevented from escape. When they are released from their shackles, they are so accustomed to the darkness that they fear the light. In No Exit, a similar situation occurs. They are confined in a room by a locked door. The door opens open there request. They stand in apprehension and in the end none of them have the courage to see what is outside. They know that they cannot handle isolation in the room with the people they are stuck with, yet they fear something worse. The valet or whoever is in charge of the door seems to call them on their bluff. Garcin claims he would prefer torture to staying in the wretched room, yet when given the option, he will not leave. Both authors depict the limitations on thinking exclusively through dialogue. In the allegory, the dialogue presents the teacher-student aspect that parallels the enlightened-unenlightened situation found in the cave. In the play, the characters reveal themselves through their speech. They reveal how they ended up in hell, though it isn't all that important to them. The dialogue depicts the jockeying for power in a new situation that all sinful people will naturally take part in. The characters are limited by this type of thinking. They cannot cooperate. They rationally decide that silence will be the best for them, but they cannot resist the urge to speak. They form two-person alliances with one remainder, left for eternity. But these alliances do not last and they shift mercurially. These people would be liberated if they were capable of working for more than themselves.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Plato Sonnet
Plato depicted us, the human race
As prisoners, dwelling in a cave
Accustomed to darkness and adverse to life's grace
Said we needed help to be saved
Shadows are all we know
Until we are released from shackles and chains
And dragged into the light
Crawling and overwhelmed
An escapee would come back
And try to help his friends, left in the cave
But his enlightenment would not be received
And he wouldn't perceive shadows well in the darkness
But the enlightened must try
To save us from the cave
As prisoners, dwelling in a cave
Accustomed to darkness and adverse to life's grace
Said we needed help to be saved
Shadows are all we know
Until we are released from shackles and chains
And dragged into the light
Crawling and overwhelmed
An escapee would come back
And try to help his friends, left in the cave
But his enlightenment would not be received
And he wouldn't perceive shadows well in the darkness
But the enlightened must try
To save us from the cave
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Plato Study Questions
1. According to Socrates, what does the Allegory of the Cave represent?
The cave represents human beings and their inability to comprehend the truth and reach enlightenment.
2. What are the key elements in the imagery used in the allegory?
I felt the key elements were the fire and the sun representing different degrees of enlightenment. The use of shadows was also prevalent both in and out of the cave.
3. What are some things the allegory suggests about the process of enlightenment or education?
The allegory suggests that it takes an enlightened one to help out someone unenlightened, and they may have to "drag" them out of the cave. It also suggests that the truth can be overwhelming, as is the sun for someone sitting in a cave.
4. What do the imagery of "shackles" and the "cave" suggest about the perspective of the cave dwellers or prisoners?
The imagery suggests that they are suffering, whether they know it or not. They are suffering from not being free, their minds are confined.
5. In society today or in your own life, what sorts of things shackle the mind?
Traditions are probably the biggest shackle of the mind. Traditions and beliefs such as punting on fourth are clung on to and embraced when in reality we should be taking risks and exploring new ideas.
6. Compare the perspective of the freed prisoner with the cave prisoners?
The freed prisoner is both liberated from the cave, yet burdened with responsibility to the other cave prisoners.
7. According to the allegory, lack of clarity or intellectual confusion can occur in two distinct ways or contexts. What are they?
The two ways are from being overwhelmed from too much light or unable to discern because you are accustomed to more light.
8. According to the allegory, how do cave prisoners get free? What does this suggest about intellectual freedom?
The prisoners are freed by someone outside the cave. This suggests that interdependence is key to intellectual freedom.
9. The allegory presupposes that there is a distinction between appearances and reality. Do you agree? Why or why not?
I agree because perceptions are different for every person and not everyone can be correct.
10. If Socrates is incorrect in his assumption that there is a distinction between reality and appearances, what are the two alternative metaphysical assumptions?
If Socrates is incorrect, one possibility is that for each individual exists their own reality, and thus their perceptions are correct. Another, existentialist way of thinking might suggest that there is nothing more to it, that all there is to life is the cave.
The cave represents human beings and their inability to comprehend the truth and reach enlightenment.
2. What are the key elements in the imagery used in the allegory?
I felt the key elements were the fire and the sun representing different degrees of enlightenment. The use of shadows was also prevalent both in and out of the cave.
3. What are some things the allegory suggests about the process of enlightenment or education?
The allegory suggests that it takes an enlightened one to help out someone unenlightened, and they may have to "drag" them out of the cave. It also suggests that the truth can be overwhelming, as is the sun for someone sitting in a cave.
4. What do the imagery of "shackles" and the "cave" suggest about the perspective of the cave dwellers or prisoners?
The imagery suggests that they are suffering, whether they know it or not. They are suffering from not being free, their minds are confined.
5. In society today or in your own life, what sorts of things shackle the mind?
Traditions are probably the biggest shackle of the mind. Traditions and beliefs such as punting on fourth are clung on to and embraced when in reality we should be taking risks and exploring new ideas.
6. Compare the perspective of the freed prisoner with the cave prisoners?
The freed prisoner is both liberated from the cave, yet burdened with responsibility to the other cave prisoners.
7. According to the allegory, lack of clarity or intellectual confusion can occur in two distinct ways or contexts. What are they?
The two ways are from being overwhelmed from too much light or unable to discern because you are accustomed to more light.
8. According to the allegory, how do cave prisoners get free? What does this suggest about intellectual freedom?
The prisoners are freed by someone outside the cave. This suggests that interdependence is key to intellectual freedom.
9. The allegory presupposes that there is a distinction between appearances and reality. Do you agree? Why or why not?
I agree because perceptions are different for every person and not everyone can be correct.
10. If Socrates is incorrect in his assumption that there is a distinction between reality and appearances, what are the two alternative metaphysical assumptions?
If Socrates is incorrect, one possibility is that for each individual exists their own reality, and thus their perceptions are correct. Another, existentialist way of thinking might suggest that there is nothing more to it, that all there is to life is the cave.
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