"'I suppose they will all want dignity,' I said." (pg. 212)
This blog definitely enforces that all people deserved dignity. Even if they are Germans, Vonnegut shows how they deserve a certain respect for being a human being. This echoes in each character's life. However, the problem arises that not all receive the dignity that they deserve. In the bombings, completely innocent lives are lost. These people did nothing wrong except for the fact that they were German. War completely ignores this dignity. It kills indiscriminately. Vonnegut's anti-war theme rings out in this quote.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Slaughterhouse-Five
"One of the main effects of war, after all, is that people are discouraged from being characters. But old Derby was a character now." (pg. 164)
For some reason, I absolutely loved this quote. It really makes me want to watch Saving Private Ryan. I think its because the quote echoes in that story too. Often times, its easier to just blend in with the crowd. In war, there is little point of getting to know someone because of the chance that one of you will die. Vonnegut gives us little description of the characters besides Billy. Most of them are dead by the end of the story. In Saving Private Ryan, many men have to risk their lives to save one, and most of them die in the mission. Both stories show how war not only kills soldiers but also affects the lives around them.
For some reason, I absolutely loved this quote. It really makes me want to watch Saving Private Ryan. I think its because the quote echoes in that story too. Often times, its easier to just blend in with the crowd. In war, there is little point of getting to know someone because of the chance that one of you will die. Vonnegut gives us little description of the characters besides Billy. Most of them are dead by the end of the story. In Saving Private Ryan, many men have to risk their lives to save one, and most of them die in the mission. Both stories show how war not only kills soldiers but also affects the lives around them.
Slaughterhouse-Five - Dramatic Irony
"You needn't worry about bombs, by the way. Dresden is an open city. It is undefended, and contains no war industries or troop concentrations of any importance." (pg. 146)
This quote is an example of dramatic irony. The characters (minus Billy because he's a time traveller or whatnot) believe that Dresden has a zero percent chance of being bombed. They believe that the Allied troops would aim for more important cities. The irony in this is the Dresden was one of the worst bombings in history. Its just this peaceful little city, and then all of a sudden, boom. Its gone. The reader knows this because of history and because both Vonnegut and Billy have told us. Also, this reinforces the theme of the destructiveness of war. Even though the citizens of Dresden should have been safe, the Allied troops bomb their city. No one knows the extent of the damage of a war until it is too late.
Slaughterhouse-Five - Motif
"So it goes." (pretty much every single page)
The phrase "so it goes" is repeated countless times in the novel. It is preceded by a death or some other terrible incident. The phrase is very nonchalant and unemotional. This is, however, not because the author does not care. The phrase signifies that all of these deaths are equal. It does not matter how the deaths happened. Someone is still dead. The tone of the phrase adds more weight to the deaths. By acting as if the deaths are not a big deal, it actually adds gravity to each event.
The phrase "so it goes" is repeated countless times in the novel. It is preceded by a death or some other terrible incident. The phrase is very nonchalant and unemotional. This is, however, not because the author does not care. The phrase signifies that all of these deaths are equal. It does not matter how the deaths happened. Someone is still dead. The tone of the phrase adds more weight to the deaths. By acting as if the deaths are not a big deal, it actually adds gravity to each event.
Slaughterhouse-Five - Theme
"When he finally came back, he told superior on the rim of the hole that there were dozens of bodies down there. They were sitting on benches. They were unmarked. So it goes." (pg. 214)
One of the major themes of this book is the atrocious effects of war. This prevalent in the bombings of Dresden. Even though Rumfoord says that the bombing was necessary, the description of the town and historical records show that it wasn't. It was the complete destruction of a city with little to no military value. In addition, in the quote, the bodies are unmarked. War does not discriminate between the guilty and the innocent. It is by chance that people live or die. Because of the War on Terrorism, I could literally get bombed right now sitting here. Even though I haven't done anything to the bomber, I would be killed all the same. As Mary notes in the beginning of the novel, the people killed in wars are just babies. War does not make exceptions.
One of the major themes of this book is the atrocious effects of war. This prevalent in the bombings of Dresden. Even though Rumfoord says that the bombing was necessary, the description of the town and historical records show that it wasn't. It was the complete destruction of a city with little to no military value. In addition, in the quote, the bodies are unmarked. War does not discriminate between the guilty and the innocent. It is by chance that people live or die. Because of the War on Terrorism, I could literally get bombed right now sitting here. Even though I haven't done anything to the bomber, I would be killed all the same. As Mary notes in the beginning of the novel, the people killed in wars are just babies. War does not make exceptions.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Slaughterhouse Five - Blog 5
"That was I. That was me. That was the author of this book." (pg. 125)
I am definitely enjoying the style of Vonnegut's writing. It is very entertaining and easy to read. These types of passages in which he interjects himself into the story make the story seem as if it actually happened. His frankness and dry humor make readers think not only about the story, but about the meanings behind the story. From the very beginning, Vonnegut said that this book was an anti-war book. This theme is echoed throughout the story.
I am definitely enjoying the style of Vonnegut's writing. It is very entertaining and easy to read. These types of passages in which he interjects himself into the story make the story seem as if it actually happened. His frankness and dry humor make readers think not only about the story, but about the meanings behind the story. From the very beginning, Vonnegut said that this book was an anti-war book. This theme is echoed throughout the story.
Slaughterhouse Five - Blog 4
"There used to be a dog named Spot, but he died. So it goes. Billy had liked Spot a lot, and Spot had liked him." (pg. 62)
This book is full of randomness. The author randomly interjects into the story. Billy randomly travels in time. There isn't a very clear plot line. Little paragraphs like this seem to have no meaning. They seem to be random comments the author is making about Billy's life. However, these types of things are not random. Vonnegut's style in this novel makes it seem as if there are little random things. Each of these peculiarities about the novel mean something. This passage highlights Billy's loneliness in his life.
This book is full of randomness. The author randomly interjects into the story. Billy randomly travels in time. There isn't a very clear plot line. Little paragraphs like this seem to have no meaning. They seem to be random comments the author is making about Billy's life. However, these types of things are not random. Vonnegut's style in this novel makes it seem as if there are little random things. Each of these peculiarities about the novel mean something. This passage highlights Billy's loneliness in his life.
Slaughterhouse Five - Tone
"When the food came in, the human beings were quiet and trusting and beautiful. They shared." (pg. 70)
This novel is full of sarcasm. The author's tone is often clearly sarcastic. In this example, the soldiers have been treated badly and been given little food. Obviously, once they do receive food, they are all going to get whatever they can. The author could have simply described that they weren't sharing. However, the sarcasm creates a much stronger image. It makes the reader smile at the absurdity of the statement, but also makes them recognize how human nature can be. The greed and desperation of these men cause them to take all they can and not worry about how the others fare.
This novel is full of sarcasm. The author's tone is often clearly sarcastic. In this example, the soldiers have been treated badly and been given little food. Obviously, once they do receive food, they are all going to get whatever they can. The author could have simply described that they weren't sharing. However, the sarcasm creates a much stronger image. It makes the reader smile at the absurdity of the statement, but also makes them recognize how human nature can be. The greed and desperation of these men cause them to take all they can and not worry about how the others fare.
Slaughterhouse Five - Simile
"The gun made a ripping sound like the opening of the zipper on the fly of the Almighty God." (pg. 34)
This quote is an example of a simile. The author uses lots of figurative language throughout the book. In this example, the author is comparing the sound of a gun to the zipper on God's pants. Usually, a simile would compare something foreign to something that the reader would understand. However, neither of the parts of this simile would probably be something a reader would be familiar with. The use of two unfamiliar parts of a simile show how the sound was so foreign to Weary. A reader could imagine either sound, but not really know how they would sound. Weary had imagined how a gun would sound when he fired it, but he did not truly understand.
This quote is an example of a simile. The author uses lots of figurative language throughout the book. In this example, the author is comparing the sound of a gun to the zipper on God's pants. Usually, a simile would compare something foreign to something that the reader would understand. However, neither of the parts of this simile would probably be something a reader would be familiar with. The use of two unfamiliar parts of a simile show how the sound was so foreign to Weary. A reader could imagine either sound, but not really know how they would sound. Weary had imagined how a gun would sound when he fired it, but he did not truly understand.
Slaughterhouse Five - Allusion
"This one is a failure, and had to be, since it was written by a pillar of salt." (pg. 22)
This quote is an allusion to the story of Lot's wife in the Bible. As the narrator notes, she was warned not to look back on the destruction of the city. However, she did turn around, and because of this, God turned her into a pillar of salt. The author is alluding to her humanity as she turns around to view all the lives that are being destroyed. Even though these people were corrupt and being punished by God, she could not help that her heart went out to them. The narrator is comparing himself to Lot's wife. Even though some of the people in his story are not necessarily good, he still feels for them. It is for this reason that there is no clear antagonist. The narrator's humanity makes it impossible for him to turn his back on any character and turn them into the villain.
This quote is an allusion to the story of Lot's wife in the Bible. As the narrator notes, she was warned not to look back on the destruction of the city. However, she did turn around, and because of this, God turned her into a pillar of salt. The author is alluding to her humanity as she turns around to view all the lives that are being destroyed. Even though these people were corrupt and being punished by God, she could not help that her heart went out to them. The narrator is comparing himself to Lot's wife. Even though some of the people in his story are not necessarily good, he still feels for them. It is for this reason that there is no clear antagonist. The narrator's humanity makes it impossible for him to turn his back on any character and turn them into the villain.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Frankenstein
"For this purpose I will preserve my life: to execute this dear revenge..." (pg. 150)
Revenge is also a huge theme for this novel. The creature wants revenge on Victor for leaving him. He also wants revenge on all humans for treating him rudely. Victor wants revenge on the creature for all the people that he killed. Clearly though, revenge doesn't get he characters anywhere. It just leads them to death and unhappiness. The message is strongly against revenge.
Revenge is also a huge theme for this novel. The creature wants revenge on Victor for leaving him. He also wants revenge on all humans for treating him rudely. Victor wants revenge on the creature for all the people that he killed. Clearly though, revenge doesn't get he characters anywhere. It just leads them to death and unhappiness. The message is strongly against revenge.
Frankenstein
"A fever succeeded to this." (pg. 130)
Victor's continually terrible health is rather annoying. He is ill all the time, and quit a lot of the events of the story would be different or avoided had he not been so ill. Victor is sick for pretty much the entire story. Its honestly kind of pathetic. He should be up fixing his mistakes. He not only gets a fever once, but twice. In addition, he spends a ton of time moping. After he destroys the second creature, he lays down and takes a nap.
Victor's continually terrible health is rather annoying. He is ill all the time, and quit a lot of the events of the story would be different or avoided had he not been so ill. Victor is sick for pretty much the entire story. Its honestly kind of pathetic. He should be up fixing his mistakes. He not only gets a fever once, but twice. In addition, he spends a ton of time moping. After he destroys the second creature, he lays down and takes a nap.
Frankenstein - Fate
"I felt as if I had committed some great crime, the consciousness of which haunted me. I was guiltless, but I had indeed drawn down a horrible curse upon my head, as mortal as that of crime." (pg. 118)
There is no way that Victor is blameless. Throughout the story, he discusses fate and the creation of the monster as if it were destiny and he had no choice. However, Victor made decisions. He had a choice to do everything that he did. He has no one to blame but himself. Each step of the way, he acted. It all started when he created the creature, and it continued when he left him alone. He never even tried to give the creature the love and attention that he so clearly desired. Victor does not take responsibility for his actions until the end of the story when it is too late. Victor's decisions, not fate, created the events of this story.
There is no way that Victor is blameless. Throughout the story, he discusses fate and the creation of the monster as if it were destiny and he had no choice. However, Victor made decisions. He had a choice to do everything that he did. He has no one to blame but himself. Each step of the way, he acted. It all started when he created the creature, and it continued when he left him alone. He never even tried to give the creature the love and attention that he so clearly desired. Victor does not take responsibility for his actions until the end of the story when it is too late. Victor's decisions, not fate, created the events of this story.
Frankenstein - theme - isolation
"You and your family are the friends whom I seek. Do not you desert me in the hour of trial!" (pg. 96)
The creature's hope to be loved is based on the De Lacy family. However, the family rejects him once they seen him. At this moment, the creature experiences the true feeling of alienation. He has been observing this family for months now. He has even taken to calling them his protectors. He has set all of his hopes for a future on this family. When they reject him, he is utterly alone. Because of this and other such rejections, he takes his feelings out on others. In a way, this story speaks about how rejection and loneliness can lead people to do things that would naturally out of their character.
The creature's hope to be loved is based on the De Lacy family. However, the family rejects him once they seen him. At this moment, the creature experiences the true feeling of alienation. He has been observing this family for months now. He has even taken to calling them his protectors. He has set all of his hopes for a future on this family. When they reject him, he is utterly alone. Because of this and other such rejections, he takes his feelings out on others. In a way, this story speaks about how rejection and loneliness can lead people to do things that would naturally out of their character.
Frankenstein - Dramatic Irony
"And then I thought again of his words- 'I will be with you on your wedding night.'... In that hour I should die, and at once satisfy and extinguish his malice" (123).
Victor believes that the creature is going to kill him on his wedding night. However, the dramatic irony is that the reader knows that the creature is not going to kill Victor, but his new wife. Victor has never been threatened himself by the creature. He himself has never actually been in danger. The creature has been targeting Victor's loved ones. In a form of poetic justice, the creature will kill Elizabeth as revenge for Victor's refusal to make a companion for him.
Victor believes that the creature is going to kill him on his wedding night. However, the dramatic irony is that the reader knows that the creature is not going to kill Victor, but his new wife. Victor has never been threatened himself by the creature. He himself has never actually been in danger. The creature has been targeting Victor's loved ones. In a form of poetic justice, the creature will kill Elizabeth as revenge for Victor's refusal to make a companion for him.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Frankenstein
"Her brow was clear and ample, her blue eyes cloudless, and her lips and the molding of her face so expressive of sensibility and sweetness that none could behold her without looking on her as of a distinct species, a being heaven-sent, and bearing a celestial stamp in all her features." (pg. 17)
This story seems to portray a huge connection between appearance and personality. The above description is about Elizabeth, who is one of the sweetest, loving people in the story. The mother, also, was both kind and beautiful. William, who seems to be adorable, is loved by everyone. The family that the creature observes is described as graceful and beautiful. The only one who doesn't necessarily fit this mold is the creature. Although his appearance is hideous, his personality may not follow that. Frankenstein believes him to be evil when he sees him, and everyone else has felt the same way. However, the creature claims that his nature is to be kind and benevolent, which would be in contrast to his hideous appearance.
This story seems to portray a huge connection between appearance and personality. The above description is about Elizabeth, who is one of the sweetest, loving people in the story. The mother, also, was both kind and beautiful. William, who seems to be adorable, is loved by everyone. The family that the creature observes is described as graceful and beautiful. The only one who doesn't necessarily fit this mold is the creature. Although his appearance is hideous, his personality may not follow that. Frankenstein believes him to be evil when he sees him, and everyone else has felt the same way. However, the creature claims that his nature is to be kind and benevolent, which would be in contrast to his hideous appearance.
Frankenstein
"I imagined that they would be disgusted, until, by my gentle demeanor and conciliating words, I should first win their favor, and afterwards their love." (pg. 81)
This is what the creature's plan was to become a part of the family that he observed. I predict that reality comes nothing close to this. Based on past experience, the creature will probably terrify the family. He has already noted that he himself was terrified upon seeing his image. The creature hopes to be integrated into the family that he has been observing. Chances are that they will run away in fear like everyone else has. Even if they do get to the point of communicating, if the creature tells them that he was spying on them for months, I don't think they will accept that lightly. The only redeeming hope he has if he tells them that he was the one chopping wood and shoveling snow. However, based on the creature's conversation with Frankenstein, it seems that things did not go according to plan.
This is what the creature's plan was to become a part of the family that he observed. I predict that reality comes nothing close to this. Based on past experience, the creature will probably terrify the family. He has already noted that he himself was terrified upon seeing his image. The creature hopes to be integrated into the family that he has been observing. Chances are that they will run away in fear like everyone else has. Even if they do get to the point of communicating, if the creature tells them that he was spying on them for months, I don't think they will accept that lightly. The only redeeming hope he has if he tells them that he was the one chopping wood and shoveling snow. However, based on the creature's conversation with Frankenstein, it seems that things did not go according to plan.
Frankenstein - Allusion
"Remember, that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drives from joy for no misdeed." (pg. 69)
In this line, the creature makes an allusion to the Bible. The creature is noting how Frankenstein mistreated his own work. Frankenstein should have cared for the creature as God cared for Adam. If Frankenstein had attended to what the creature says are his duties, then the past two years would have been radically different for the both of them. However, Frankenstein clearly does not nurture and care for the creature as God cared for Adam. Before the creature comes to life, Frankenstein loved it. However, as soon as its life began, the creature was seen as evil. Frankenstein immediately judges the creature to be inherently bad, when the creature actually meant him no harm.
In this line, the creature makes an allusion to the Bible. The creature is noting how Frankenstein mistreated his own work. Frankenstein should have cared for the creature as God cared for Adam. If Frankenstein had attended to what the creature says are his duties, then the past two years would have been radically different for the both of them. However, Frankenstein clearly does not nurture and care for the creature as God cared for Adam. Before the creature comes to life, Frankenstein loved it. However, as soon as its life began, the creature was seen as evil. Frankenstein immediately judges the creature to be inherently bad, when the creature actually meant him no harm.
Frankenstein - Theme - Nature vs. Nurture
"I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend." (pg. 69)
Clearly, when the creature first comes to life, Frankenstein is terrified of him. He believed that his creation would be wonderful and spent years making him. However, at the first spark of life, he runs away with fear. Frankenstein immediately judges the creature to be evil. However, when we first meet the creature, he insists that he used to be good. He tells the story of the family that he helped. He had nothing but good intentions for them. By nature, the creature was not evil, but good. By nurture, how people treated him, the creature lost that trait.
Clearly, when the creature first comes to life, Frankenstein is terrified of him. He believed that his creation would be wonderful and spent years making him. However, at the first spark of life, he runs away with fear. Frankenstein immediately judges the creature to be evil. However, when we first meet the creature, he insists that he used to be good. He tells the story of the family that he helped. He had nothing but good intentions for them. By nature, the creature was not evil, but good. By nurture, how people treated him, the creature lost that trait.
Frankenstein - Parallelism
"Unhappy man! Do you share my madness? Have you drunk also of the intoxicating draught?" (pg. 12)
There are many parallelisms between Walton and Frankenstein's stories. Walton is on a quest to know what is at the North Pole. He desires to understand how compasses always point to the north pole. Frankenstein was determined to know everything about science and eventually, to create a living being. Walton has said on numerous occasions that he would risk a few men's lives if it meant that he made it to the North Pole. Frankenstein does not consider the negative consequences, but only strives to achieve his goal. Also, Walton's journey takes him far away from his friends and family (especially his sister). Frankenstein is gone from his home for 6 years with little contact between him and his family.
There are many parallelisms between Walton and Frankenstein's stories. Walton is on a quest to know what is at the North Pole. He desires to understand how compasses always point to the north pole. Frankenstein was determined to know everything about science and eventually, to create a living being. Walton has said on numerous occasions that he would risk a few men's lives if it meant that he made it to the North Pole. Frankenstein does not consider the negative consequences, but only strives to achieve his goal. Also, Walton's journey takes him far away from his friends and family (especially his sister). Frankenstein is gone from his home for 6 years with little contact between him and his family.
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