Plot:
The main change that I would make to the plot would to eliminate the opening scene. The structure of a frame story does not really fit. I think that the story would be more effective if it stood on its own. Also, the author never returns to the opening scene. I think it would confuse an audience if the story was unresolved, as it is. The first scene is not necessary.
Point of View:
I think I would leave the point of view the same. The third person omniscient narrator was the best choice for a story such as this. I think it is best to have a third party telling the story. It is a delicate and morbid story. The reader is not really supposed to feel pity for the family I don't think. If it was told by one of the characters in the story, it would evoke pity.
Characterization:
I think I would focus on the family members' lives a little more. To create a full length movie, you would really have to go more in depth into their lives. You would need to establish details such as what the parents careers were. I think I would make the father a doctor. This would be ironic because he would have devoted his life to helping and aiding others. However, he refuses to help the impoverished that are right on his doorstep.
Setting:
We discussed in class that the author lived in South Africa. Because of this, I viewed it in that environment. I think I would definitely specify that as the setting. It would point out that racism, hate, and fear are universal issues. We recognize them in our own communities and even communities similar to ours. However, I don't think we always know that other cultures have similar issues. Many Americans are probably ignorant to the violent acts that take place around the world such as the genocide in Darfur. A setting such as this would bring awareness to current social concerns.
Theme:
The theme of fear to the point of destruction is present in the short story. I would build on that and emphasize that fear of different people and practices can lead to disaster. It would encourage an idea of openness to others and their opinions. I would again bring the universality of fear and racism to the forefront. It is not an American problem, it is a human problem. This theme would again call awareness to social justice issues in today's world.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Movie Blog: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Plot:
The plot of the movie was completely different than the plot of the short story. The sole similarity was that Benjamin aged backwards. The story jumps around a lot and major developments are different. First of all, Benjamin's mother is not supposed to die. And his father is not supposed to give Benjamin up. These details change Benjamin's life completely. The other main difference is the existence of his childhood sweetheart Daisy. His life completely revolves around her. In contrast, Benjamin never really comes close to anyone in the short story. He has a wife and family but never truly gains a life long companion. The existence of Daisy changes the entire story.
Point of View:
The point of view used in the movie is very interesting. It is told by Benjamin himself, or at least his diary which is read by his daughter. I found it interesting that in the movie, Benjamin's life is told as a frame story. This structure seemed strange to me. I thought it was much more affective in the story to use the third person point of view so the reader got the feeling that it was told by the townspeople. The audience is not supposed to get so much insight into Benjamin's thoughts and life.
Characterization:
The short story focused the most on the men in Benjamin's life. However, the movie mainly focuses on Daisy. This starts in the very beginning when the story is being told to Daisy. I feel as though the movie focuses on Daisy even more than Benjamin himself. For a character that did not even exist in the original story, I think she receives too much attention. Benjamin's father gets very little attention, and Benjamin never has a son as he does in the story.
Setting:
The setting is also completely different. This is mainly because Benjamin's father abandons him. The house he grows up in, an old folks home, has a big impact on who he turns into. It's where his adoptive mother lives and it is where he meets Daisy. It is a place he can call home. He never really has this in the original story. He also never spends time in the sea in the story. This was another big difference the writers of the movie made.
Theme:
I had a lot of trouble picking a theme for the movie. I think the main theme is the impact Benjamin had on Daisy and on the other people in his life. It did not have the same sense of lonliness as the short story did. Daisy was almost always loyal to him, his mother was there for him, and his dad develops a relationship with him. I think it also touched on the fragility of life. As well as valuing the loved ones in life before they leave you.
The plot of the movie was completely different than the plot of the short story. The sole similarity was that Benjamin aged backwards. The story jumps around a lot and major developments are different. First of all, Benjamin's mother is not supposed to die. And his father is not supposed to give Benjamin up. These details change Benjamin's life completely. The other main difference is the existence of his childhood sweetheart Daisy. His life completely revolves around her. In contrast, Benjamin never really comes close to anyone in the short story. He has a wife and family but never truly gains a life long companion. The existence of Daisy changes the entire story.
Point of View:
The point of view used in the movie is very interesting. It is told by Benjamin himself, or at least his diary which is read by his daughter. I found it interesting that in the movie, Benjamin's life is told as a frame story. This structure seemed strange to me. I thought it was much more affective in the story to use the third person point of view so the reader got the feeling that it was told by the townspeople. The audience is not supposed to get so much insight into Benjamin's thoughts and life.
Characterization:
The short story focused the most on the men in Benjamin's life. However, the movie mainly focuses on Daisy. This starts in the very beginning when the story is being told to Daisy. I feel as though the movie focuses on Daisy even more than Benjamin himself. For a character that did not even exist in the original story, I think she receives too much attention. Benjamin's father gets very little attention, and Benjamin never has a son as he does in the story.
Setting:
The setting is also completely different. This is mainly because Benjamin's father abandons him. The house he grows up in, an old folks home, has a big impact on who he turns into. It's where his adoptive mother lives and it is where he meets Daisy. It is a place he can call home. He never really has this in the original story. He also never spends time in the sea in the story. This was another big difference the writers of the movie made.
Theme:
I had a lot of trouble picking a theme for the movie. I think the main theme is the impact Benjamin had on Daisy and on the other people in his life. It did not have the same sense of lonliness as the short story did. Daisy was almost always loyal to him, his mother was there for him, and his dad develops a relationship with him. I think it also touched on the fragility of life. As well as valuing the loved ones in life before they leave you.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Popular Mechanics
I hated this ambiguous ending!!!!!!!!!! Now that I've got that out of my system, I can move on.
The first thing I noticed while reading this story was the similarity between the end of the story and a popular bible story. In this story, two women fought over a baby so King Solomon suggested that they cut the baby in half. One of the women cared enough about the baby that she gave him up to save the child's life. That is the one difference that this short story presents. The parents were too stubborn to do what was best for the child. The argument wasn't even fought because of the child. The couple continued it because they wanted to be the one to 'win'.
The first thing I noticed while reading this story was the similarity between the end of the story and a popular bible story. In this story, two women fought over a baby so King Solomon suggested that they cut the baby in half. One of the women cared enough about the baby that she gave him up to save the child's life. That is the one difference that this short story presents. The parents were too stubborn to do what was best for the child. The argument wasn't even fought because of the child. The couple continued it because they wanted to be the one to 'win'.
The Drunkard
I thought it was really weird that people went out to hang out at a bar after a funeral. Maybe it was just me, but it seemed odd. It obviously wasn't in this society though. In fact, Larry knows that one of the warnings of his father's alcoholism returning are funerals and other gatherings. For him to say that obviously shows that it was not uncommon for men to go get drunk after a funeral. This all just seemed odd to me. I've always viewed funerals as solemn services so this particular short story seemed strange to me.
Your Ugly, Too Question # 1
I believe that Zoe's eccentricities were pointed out to show how she was different from other people her age. She is very unique and different from her contemporaries. This is also shown in her interaction with Earl. He seems to be a hopeless romantic and she is the opposite. I think she wants to experience love. However, she never gives anyone a chance because she assumes it will end badly. At times like this, I feel sympathetic the her. However, I don't think I can truly show sympathy for someone that kids around by trying to through a man off of a roof.
The Lottery: Question #4
I think the fact that many aspects of the ritual are forgotten is vital to this story. I believe that the original lottery was created on the basis of superstition and sacrifice. I get this from the line on page 268 that says,
"Used to be a saying about 'Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.' "
The lottery was meant to bring good luck for the approaching harvest.
Along with the loss of some rituals, the purpose of the lottery is also disappearing. They now seem to simply participate because it is tradition and there has always been a lottery. That's why this story kind of frustrated me. These towns people were committing murder because it was the accepted norm. I felt as though they had no other reason for it.
"Used to be a saying about 'Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.' "
The lottery was meant to bring good luck for the approaching harvest.
Along with the loss of some rituals, the purpose of the lottery is also disappearing. They now seem to simply participate because it is tradition and there has always been a lottery. That's why this story kind of frustrated me. These towns people were committing murder because it was the accepted norm. I felt as though they had no other reason for it.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Short Story Blog: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Plot:
The plot structure of this story is very unique for short stories. It is split up into chapters. I saw each chapter as representing a different part of Benjamin's life. The structure and order of his life is obviously very odd seeing as it is backwards. For this reason, it seemed interesting to me that the author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, chose to write the story in such a structured form. I came to the conclusion that he did this to contrast the chaos of Benjamin's life and also to keep the reader strait on the events of his life. The idea of the story is confusing so the organized structure made it an easier read.
Point of View:
I found it interesting that the author chose to write this story from an omniscient third person point of view. I first felt as though it would have been more interesting to see the story from the point of view of a towns person, maybe someone close in age to Benjamin. However, I think the author made a smart choice. This way, the narrator could show all sides of the story. He could show the family members' thoughts as well as Benjamin's. Also, a towns person would not work because at times in the story, Benjamin's true identity was kept a secret.
Characterization:
I found the author's method of characterization the most interesting element of the story. It seemed logical to me that the author would focus in on Benjamin's mother at some point. However, she is barely ever mentioned, if at all. I was interested in how exactly she gave birth to a full grown man (this issue may have been the reason that the author didn't focus on her). At first I thought she might be dead, but on page 21 the author states that "Mr. and Mrs. Roger Button were not pleased" with the fact that people were saying their son resembled his grandfather. That is really the only mention of her I could find after Benjamin's birth. I was also surprised that his wife did not get more attention. She is only in a short portion of the story. I believe both of these individuals were paid the least attention to because they were women. I'm not saying that the author was sexist, it was simply a way of developing Benjamin as a character. Fitzgerald instead focused on the men in Benjamin's life. He did this in order to compare him to these men. Benjamin is compared to his Grandfather, father, and son primarily when his physical age matches them. All of them reject him in some way or another. Fitzgerald uses this to show Benjamin's complete aloneness among his peers.
Setting:
The time period this takes place in is very important. This is primarily because of the wars that take place during Benjamin's life. War is a big part of who he is. He was finally admired and respected when he was a leader in the army. But in the last few years of his life, even the army rejects him. It is also important to note that a good portion of the story takes place in his home or the home of his son. His abnormality is hidden away from the world for a good chunk of the story. He is only allowed out in society if he agrees to blend in with his environment.
Theme:
I had a lot of trouble coming up with a theme for this story. I eventually decided on a theme of aloneness. In a way I think this story is similar to "Metamorphasis". In both stories, the main character is physically embarrassing or burdensome to be around and so their family rejects them. Benjamin never has a lasting friendship. His wife might come close, but he tires of her and 'outgrows' her (in a backwards kind of confusing way). He is never accepted and he never finds his place. He never quite belongs.
The plot structure of this story is very unique for short stories. It is split up into chapters. I saw each chapter as representing a different part of Benjamin's life. The structure and order of his life is obviously very odd seeing as it is backwards. For this reason, it seemed interesting to me that the author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, chose to write the story in such a structured form. I came to the conclusion that he did this to contrast the chaos of Benjamin's life and also to keep the reader strait on the events of his life. The idea of the story is confusing so the organized structure made it an easier read.
Point of View:
I found it interesting that the author chose to write this story from an omniscient third person point of view. I first felt as though it would have been more interesting to see the story from the point of view of a towns person, maybe someone close in age to Benjamin. However, I think the author made a smart choice. This way, the narrator could show all sides of the story. He could show the family members' thoughts as well as Benjamin's. Also, a towns person would not work because at times in the story, Benjamin's true identity was kept a secret.
Characterization:
I found the author's method of characterization the most interesting element of the story. It seemed logical to me that the author would focus in on Benjamin's mother at some point. However, she is barely ever mentioned, if at all. I was interested in how exactly she gave birth to a full grown man (this issue may have been the reason that the author didn't focus on her). At first I thought she might be dead, but on page 21 the author states that "Mr. and Mrs. Roger Button were not pleased" with the fact that people were saying their son resembled his grandfather. That is really the only mention of her I could find after Benjamin's birth. I was also surprised that his wife did not get more attention. She is only in a short portion of the story. I believe both of these individuals were paid the least attention to because they were women. I'm not saying that the author was sexist, it was simply a way of developing Benjamin as a character. Fitzgerald instead focused on the men in Benjamin's life. He did this in order to compare him to these men. Benjamin is compared to his Grandfather, father, and son primarily when his physical age matches them. All of them reject him in some way or another. Fitzgerald uses this to show Benjamin's complete aloneness among his peers.
Setting:
The time period this takes place in is very important. This is primarily because of the wars that take place during Benjamin's life. War is a big part of who he is. He was finally admired and respected when he was a leader in the army. But in the last few years of his life, even the army rejects him. It is also important to note that a good portion of the story takes place in his home or the home of his son. His abnormality is hidden away from the world for a good chunk of the story. He is only allowed out in society if he agrees to blend in with his environment.
Theme:
I had a lot of trouble coming up with a theme for this story. I eventually decided on a theme of aloneness. In a way I think this story is similar to "Metamorphasis". In both stories, the main character is physically embarrassing or burdensome to be around and so their family rejects them. Benjamin never has a lasting friendship. His wife might come close, but he tires of her and 'outgrows' her (in a backwards kind of confusing way). He is never accepted and he never finds his place. He never quite belongs.
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