New Found Freedom

Douglass purposely leaves at how he escapes from slavery. Douglass flips the scenario of ignorance as a means of control. Douglass purposely does not educate slaveholders on different ways slaves escape. Douglass’ tone becomes very nervous when describing the events leading up to his escape. (Tone is a literary technique that is a part of composition, which encompasses the attitudes toward the subject and toward the audience implied in a literary work.) Douglass’ greatest fear is failure. Douglass finally escapes to New York. Instead of being relieved at his new found freedom, ironically he is overcome with terror. (The use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning) Douglass is very worried about food and shelter. And because of his escape, he is scared to ask for help, fearing that he will be discovered.  Finally Douglass meets David Ruggles, a free black man, who helps him by giving him money and writing him a letter of recommendation. He also helps Douglass connect with is fiancée Anna and is a witness at their marriage.  Anna and Frederick move to New Bedford. Douglass is very surprised and amazed at how prosperous this new city is. Douglass strangely associates slave labor with prosperity. So to see this new way of living without slave labor is a shock to his previous assumptions. Although some parts of this narrative was hard to read, I really enjoyed reading this story!

“You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man.”

In chapter nine, Douglass begins to talk in more detail about Thomas Auld. Because Auld was not born owning slaves he tries to immolate what he thinks a slave master should be. In out of his frustration of not knowing how to be a “slave master”, Thomas becomes very cruel to the slaves that he now owns. Also Douglass discusses the irony between slave masters and their relationship to Christianity. ( A  manner of organizing a work so as to give full expression to contradictory or complementary impulses, attitudes, etc., esp. as a means of indicating detachment from a subject, theme, or emotion.) Douglass writes that after Auld’s Christian conversion that he becomes even crueler to the slaves. Also Douglass discusses the notion of true and false Christians. He writes that the Christian community embraces Auld because his slave labor was benefiting them as well. But, also describes other members of this community that had sympathy for slaves. Another person that Douglass discusses that is a “false” Christian is Covey. The reader learns that Covey has forced a slave woman to have an affair with him. But, tries to cover up these acts by doing “Christianly Deeds”. The slaves refer to him as a snake, which is a direct reference to Satan. (a mention; allusion) The climax of this story is Douglass’s fight with Covey. (A decisive moment that is of maximum intensity or is a major turning point in a plot.) My favorite quote from this part book is during this fight. “You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man.” Douglass statement is so powerful. Douglass is one step closer to freedom.

Douglass's Personal Accounts

In chapter five, Douglass begins to focus on his personal stories. Douglass describes his own treatment at Colonial Lloyd’s planation is less harsh compared to other slaves. To me it becomes very clear why Douglass added the stories of the other slaves. If he had not done that the book would have not been has powerful as it is! But, also while reading these chapters I notice that Douglass takes on dual roles; the free and educated Douglass versus the abused slave Douglass. Also another duality is made aware to the reader in this narrative the Northern Cities versus the Southern Countryside. Douglass describes the Northern cities as having a lot of prosperity, enlighten people, and social freedom. On the other side, Douglass describes the Southern Countryside with limited freedom. Another motif that is made aware in this narrative is the damaging effects of slavery to both slaves and slave owners. (A recurrent thematic element in an artistic or literary work.) For example, the reader can definitely see the negative impacts slavery had on Sophia Auld. When Douglass first arrives Sophia treats him equally with her son. But after the coaching of Hugh, she becomes very evil and mean. When I read this part, I just felt so much sorrow with this hateful transformation. Another theme in this narrative is the power of education. (A subject of artistic representation) Once Hugh Auld refuses Douglass’ attempts to become educated; it seems to enlighten Douglass. Douglass realizes in order to gain control over his situation is to become educated. In chapters seven and eight, Douglass uses digression technique when he goes out of chronological order of the story. (A temporary departure from the story to address a subject or an event.) He discusses how Sophia refuses to teach him how to read and also talks about his experiences with The Columbian Orator. Douglass also discusses his brief trip back to the Eastern Shore around age ten and then his return to Thomas Auld’s plantation three years later. I think Douglass uses this technique to have the reader focus more on the present themes then the time that has passed.

The Injustice of Slavery

The Narrative of Frederick Douglass is used to shine a light on some of the horrific actions that were taken against American Slaves. I found it quite sad to know that most slaves did not know about something as simple as their age. L That really broke my heart when I read that!! I also found it quite troubling that slave owners purposely keep slaves ignorant so they could control them. This narrative is also an argument against the statement that all Blacks are inferior to Whites. Douglass demonstrates that slavery is keep going by strategies of control not by natural superiority of Whites. Also while reading this narrative; you get a sense of just how evil slavery really was. In the first chapter, Douglass goes into great detail about slave women being forced to have sex with their master. This act was one of the many ways slave owners used to dehumanize and degrade slaves. Douglass uses very graphic imagery when describing the scene with Captain Anthony and Aunt Hester.( The use of vivid or figurative language to represent objects, actions, or ideas.)  He describes the brutal act very vividly. By using this imagery, the reader is able to sympathize and also become aware of the harshness of slavery.  Douglass continues to describe different events of abuse to slaves in chapters three and four. Sometimes this narrative almost feels like a novel instead of an autobiography because of the description of actions against other slaves. I think maybe Douglass does this to help the reader understand that not only did he have to suffer through such hardships but many, many other people suffered this same fate as well. I think the main theme of this narrative is the injustice of slavery. (A subject of artistic representation.) Douglass describes many slaves being murder; and no consequences against their killers. For example, Mr. Gore murders a slave for not returning out of the water once he had been beaten. Douglass uses a very ironic tone when describing Mr. Gore. (Poignantly contrary to what was expected or intended) Douglass describes Mr. Gore as a first rate over-seer. This plays on the injustice theme, because only a person with no sense of justice would agree with this statement.

The Fence and Baseball : Two Major Symbols

Act two, scene one opens with Bono and Troy working on the fence. The fence is an extended metaphor in this play. (A metaphor that is continued over multiple sentences; a conceit) Both Bono and Troy have a hard time cutting the wood for the fence but, Cory joins them and has no trouble cutting the wood. I think Wilson is using this as symbolism to demonstrate the ability to handle adversity by the older generation and the newer generation. Also the topic of Rose’s desire to build the fence is brought up in conversation. Bono explains to both Cory and Troy that Rose wants the fence built to keep her family safe. So in this situation the fence represents protection. Bono also tries to talk to Troy “in code” about his affair in front of Cory.  "Some people build fences to keep people out…and other people build fences to keep people in." This is a metaphor that while Rose is building the fence to protect her family; Troy is building a fence around his heart by shutting Rose out and having an affair with Alberta. Cory leaves to look for a saw and Bono confronts Troy about his affair more aggressively. Bono warns Troy that he should stop this affair before it is too late, foreshadowing the rising action. (Tension and conflict building in the story) But, we learn that it is already too late, when Troy blurts out a startling confession mid-argument with Rose. Troy uses analogy when telling Rose he is impregnated another woman, comparing it to stealing second in baseball terms. (Illustrates the ideas by linking the current idea to a more familiar idea to better communicate the idea at hand.) The argument becomes heated and Troy grabs Rose’s arm. Cory runs out of the house and punches Troy in the stomach. Troy seems quite comfortable using baseball analogies in serious situations. Troy walks off yelling, “Strike number two”.

"You can't visit the sins of the father upon the child."

Act one, scene two opens up with Rose singing, “Jesus build a fence around me”. This opening song is foreshadowing of the strong religion theme that is present in this scene. (The presentation in a work of literature of hints and clues that tip the reader off as to what is to come later in the work.) The conversation between Rose and Gabe uses many allusions to the angel Gabriel and Saint Peter.( a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication) Gabe has suffered brain damage from a war injury; so he sees things that others don’t. He talks to Rose as if he knows Saint Peter personally. He is also warns Troy about Judgment Day. In this scene, the audience sees a more selfish side of Troy. Troy is very rude to Rose when she is talking to him about playing the numbers. It is very clear to the audience that they have a one sided relationship. Also the audience learns that Troy is in charge of Gabe’s money, and we learn that he uses some of it to buy their house. Troy knows that without Gabe’s money, his family would still live in poverty. I also find it very selfish of Troy to have t Gabe live with Miss Pearl instead of with him.

            In act one, scene three, Cory returns home from football practice and Rose is upset with him. Rose is angry because Cory didn’t do his chores or help build the fence. Troy returns from “Taylor’s” and him Cory began to work on the fence. At first Troy and Cory’s conversation is friendly. Cory ask Troy for a new television set and Troy agrees to go half on the purchase of the television set with him. Then the conversation turns bad… Cory begins to talk about the players that idolizes in baseball, and Troy’s attitude becomes very negative. Cory’s character is a symbol for the progression of African Americans. (Something that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention, especially a material object used to represent something invisible.) While Troy is very bitter about the racism he faced in the minor leagues. Troy takes his bitterness out on Cory by refusing to let him play College football. Troy’s selfishness causes him to hold back a promising young athlete.

            In act one, scene four; the scenario is the same as the scene one. Troy and Bono are on the porch, drinking and talking. Troy has received a promotion and is going to become the first African American garbage truck driver. I find it very ironic that after that big racial injustice is overcome; Troy begins to make another racist comment. When Troy’s friend Lyons invites him to listen to jazz music, he scoffs. Troy refers to Jazz as Chinese music. This comment again shows Troy’s unwillingness to accept progression in the African American community. We also learn that Troy went to Cory’s school and told his coach that he quits the team. Cory is very enraged with Troy. Troy warns Cory not to “strike out”.

           

Stereotypical Images and African Americans in Fences

The play opens up with a dialogue between two friends, Troy and Bono. (Conversation carried on between characters in a literary work.) In this conversation, we learn that the two men are garbage collectors. The two men talk about a co-worker, Brownie, who is embarrassed about eating a watermelon. The watermelon is a direct symbol to a racist stereotype of images of African Americans. (A person, place, or thing that is used to represent something else.) The two men also discuss how they think that is unfair that Blacks are unable to drive the trash truck and are only allowed to pick up the garbage. Wilson uses irony with the language that Troy and Bono use. ( The writer uses a word or phrases to mean the opposite of its literal or normal meaning.) Although Troy and Bono are very upset by the racism at their job; they use the racial slur nigger freely when referring to each other. Bono interrupts Troy’s conversation about racism to question him about a woman named Alberta. But, just when Bono is getting to the bottom of Troy’s relationship with Alberta, Rose, Troy’s wife, suddenly appears. Rose tells Troy that their son Cory is being recruited by college scouts for football. It is revealed to the audience that Troy use to play in the Negro Leagues but was too old when African Americans were being accepted into the major leagues. It is very clear to me that Troy is bitter over these turn of events so, he decides that he doesn’t want his son to play sports but learn a trade. This struggle between father and son could be one of the conflicts in the play. (The primary source of tension within a story.) I look forward to reading more!

The lower you are, the higher your mind will want to soar.... Pi's Testimony of Human Will

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a great story of triumph and the test of human will. Pi was able to survive a ship wreck, loss of family, dehydration, famine, wild animals, loss of sight, and cannibalism. It is very clear that Martel is trying to stress to the reader that living creatures will do extraordinary and unexpected things to survive. However, they will also do barbaric acts when faced with the same circumstances. For example, the hyena’s treachery and the blind Frenchman’s turn toward cannibalism show just how far creatures will go when faced with the possibility of extinction. Another theme that was present in the story was the connection between Pi and Richard Parker. (This is the deep structure consisting of the text’s ideas and truths, which the writer tries to convey through the action and exposition of the story.) At the end of the story, Pi realizes that he and Richard Parker is actually aspect of his own personality. This realization is made aware to the reader when Pi is retelling his story of despair to the two officials from the Maritime Department in the Japanese Ministry of Transport. They don’t believe his story, so Pi replaces the animals with people. Could this story have been an extreme hyperbole??? (Exaggeration or overstatement of the truth) I assume that Pi has made up the story about the animals as a coping mechanism and a way to disconnect with the horrible things he had to witness. Martel uses theses parallel stories to show the symbolism between animals and humans. (Person, place, thing that is in a text, used to represent something else.) Furthermore, he drives home the point that we humans are not so different from animals after all. Deprived of the luxuries and conveniences we have built up for ourselves in modern times, we resort to our basic instincts and animalistic roots.

Life on a lifeboat isn’t much of a life!!

This section of Li of Pi opens with Pi and his family boarding the Tsimtsum and journeying to Canada. Pi is awakened out of his sleep by a loud noise from the ship. Pi’s investigative nature causes him to explore the ship to see what was going on with the ship. Pi decides to take matters in his own hand when he unsuccessful wakes up Ravi and skips over his parents’ room. This action is a motif in the story. Pi is stepping into to manhood and exploring things independently from his family. (A motif is a frequently recurring theme or idea in a work of literature.)


The reader soon finds out that Pi is forced to become a man way before his time. The booming sound leads to the Tsimtsum’s demise. Once Pi comes to the realization of what is going on with the ship, it is too late. With the rising water approaching, Pi finds the crewmen to ask about his family and to see what he needs to do. The crewmen fling Pi into a life jacket and throw him overboard and he lands into a life boat. Suddenly a zebra jumps into the life boat alongside Pi. Then Pi begins to address Richard Parker, who is in the water trying to get into the life boat. Martel finally reveals that Richard Parker is a Bengal Tiger. Immediately the tone of the novel changes, as I read this part I began to fear for Pi’s life. (Tone is similar to mood, it relates to the overall feeling a story creates in the reader.) “Had I considered my prospects in light of reason, I surely would have given up and let go of the oar, hoping that I might drown before being eaten.”

Later on in the novel, more animals appear on the boat. Pi discovers that a hyena is also aboard and Orange Juice, monkey from the family zoo, later sails up to the boat on a bunch of bananas. Pi is very relieved to see Orange Juice and has sympathy for her. Both Pi and Orange Juice seem to have similar reactions to the situation they are in. They both are sad about the loss of their family and are seasick. Pi is amused by how much Orange Juice’s reactions are like his own human reactions.

Pi is forced to deal with the brutality of the hyena’s behavior as he begins to attack the zebra and Orange Juice. Pi is able to deal with these situations because of his knowledge of animals from living at the zoo and talks with his father. For example, Martel describes Pi thinking about the hyena’s diet and hunting schedule. Pi knows that hyenas will eat anything they come across. I believe this prior knowledge helps to keep Pi safe and gives him the ability to anticipate oncoming danger from the antagonist characters, Richard Parker and the hyena. (The antagonist is the most prominent of a story’s characters who oppose the hero in the story.) Also Pi seems to be fueled by his fear; accepting his own death makes his fear less paralyzing and enables him to take action. This demonstrates another important theme in Life of Pi, the will to live. Keep living and keep reading!!

“He Seems to be Attracting Religions the Way a Dog Attracts Fleas”

In this section of the novel, Pi explores different religions. Pi describes his earliest memories as a baby being connected to Hinduism. He goes into to detail about the Hindu philosophy of life and how he embraces it. “That which sustains the universe beyond thought and language, and that which is at the core of us and struggles for expression, is the same thing.”


One day on vacation, fourteen year old Pi begins his long journey of Theology. Pi discovers a church during this vacation and goes in out of curiosity. He meets Father Martin and he explains to Pi the beliefs of Christianity. During this conversation, Martel describes an exchange between Pi and Father Martel. “He patted me on the head. It was more of a thump, actually. His hand went BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM on my head." This is an example of onomatopoeia. (A use of words whose sound defines its meaning.) Pi develops a relationship with Father Martin and decides to become a Christian.

At the age of fifteen, Pi describes his experiences with a Muslim baker and mystic, Mr. Kumar. Pi and Mr. Kumar began talking but Mr. Kumar interprets their conversation to pray. Pi is fascinated with Mr. Kumar’s ritual of praying. Pi returns the next day to ask Mr. Kumar about his religion. Pi then begins to attend mosque regularly.

Pi’s parents become very confused when discovering that he is practicing all three religions. This behavior causes rising conflict among Pi, his parents, and the three religious figures. (The primary source of tension within a story.) His mother has some hesitation about discussing religion with Pi after he asks to be baptized and request a pray rug. But, Pi explains to his mother that his only purpose is to love God. Pi’s early practicing of multiple religions is foreshadowing of him becoming involved with religious studies. (The author giving hints of what will come later in the story.) I love the way the author shows the different religions through the eyes of a young boy. He helps the reader develop empathy for other religions that he/she may have never encountered before. (The act of placing yourself “in the shoes” of another and forcing yourself to imagine how that person must feel.) I feel that Life of Pi is a great tool to help students understand and see multi-cultural characters that may have not been exposed to before, in engaging and entertaining way.

Suspense, Drama, and Bears.... OH MY!!!

In the beginning, I have mixed emotions about “Life of Pi“. Yann Martel starts the book off with a description of three toed sloth , describing their daily life. I found the opening part of this book to be boring. The extensive description of the sloth made me curious about what the sloth had to do with the story at hand. After reading more of the book, I noticed Yann Martel was using a digression technique with the story of the sloth. (Digression is a temporary departure from the main subject to address a separate idea or event within the story.) Yann Martel was showcasing Pi’s love for animals and demonstrating his knowledge of zoology. Martel also used this technique in the first fifty pages of the book with the hospital scene. It seems that Pi is in the hospital and is in a very serious condition. Martel does not disclose why and what happened to Pi to result in him being hospitalized. Once I am pulled in by the hospital scene; Martel skips to another element of the story, Pi’s childhood.




The description of Pi’s childhood makes this novel more interesting to me. I love the why the author, slowly gives you clues about the main character of the story, Piscine. In most novels, readers find out the main character’s name by the first page. In “Life of Pi”, the reader finally gets the main character’s name at the end of the chapter three. It is also very interesting the way Martel tells the underlying story behind Piscine Molitor Patel’s name. The main character Piscine describes how he receives his name, his school experience, and life at the zoo. Piscine suffers teasing over his name from his fellow classmates. The children associate the way his name sounds to the word “pissing”. So Piscine has a brilliant idea to change his name to Pi. Pi also goes into to great description about the animals in his father’s zoo. This is my favorite part of the book. I love the descriptions of the animals and the techniques that Martel uses to draw the reader in are brilliant. On page thirteen, We learn that Pi’s father use to be a hotelkeeper. Martel connects Pi’s father past occupation with his current occupation as a Zookeeper with an extended metaphor . ( Metaphor is a comparison of two unlike things in which no word of comparison, like or as, is used.) Martel describes the animals as if they are hotel guests. “ The guests never leave their rooms; they expect not only lodging but full board, they receive a constant flow of visitors, some of whom are noisy and unruly.” I found this thought to be quite humorous. During this comparison of hotel keeping and zoo keeping, Martel uses another literary technique, personification. (Personification is a literary device that describes an animal, object, or idea as if it had human characteristics.) This made the animals in the story more relatable to the reader and a comedic element.



After the first fifty pages, I’m very interested in seeing what happens in this novel. Although “Life of Pi” gets off to a slow start, the mysterious elements and quick witted literary techniques pulled me in. I look forward to reading more and sharing the book with each and every one of you.