Tennessee Williams 1944 The Glass Menagerie is a memory play. It is told through the eyes of Tom, the narrator and key player who is also an aspiring poet. The Glass Menagerie managed to brave through the years and never lost its simplistic appeal. Tom’s father ran away when he was little. By virtue of his being employed, he becomes the chief provider for his incomplete family - comprised of himself, his mother Amanda, am ex-Southerner and his sister Laura who is physically and emotionally disabled.
At the beginning Tom explains his situation with eloquence, ”I turn back time. I reverse it to that quaint period, the thirties, when the huge middle class of America was matriculating in a school for the blind. Their eyes failed them, or they had failed their eyes."
The lasting appeal of The Glass Menagerie may be attributed to the enduring life lessons it preaches. The play maybe set in a bygone era but its central theme rings true even to this day. We all could empathize with the characters’ fragility for at some point of time we all feel vulnerable. We also go through struggles in life particularly single parents. Relationships may not be perfect especially in dysfunctional families and it is not hard to imagine why relationships fail in the midst of pressures.
Due to the story’s universal appeal, imperfect production of the play does not fail to elicit similar reactions from the audience. Laura’s glass menagerie or collection of glass figurines especially her favorite glass unicorn provides a thought-provoking simile on the frailty of the human spirit. As Laura watches helplessly as the precious glass unicorn breaks providing a great allusion to the state of the Wingfield family, Tom’s final monologue on his decision to leave his family never fail to elicit emotions and induce tears.
To give justice to Tom’s role would be a huge feat. In the hands of a lesser actor, Tom would be reduced to a hard-hearted and selfish man instead of the brave man that he truly is.
Tom is portrayed as one with wry humor due to his growing frustration of carrying the brunt of supporting the fatherless household on his shoulders. He is torn between loving and resenting his mother and helpless aunt.
In order to depict the true essence of the story, it is important for the leading character Tom Wingfield to be portrayed masterfully so he will not end up eclipsing the other supporting characters.
There maybe some famous actors with proven star and crowd-drawing power in the cast but one could not sense any self-centeredness in their performance. This in turn, lends the story more credibility.
Jim O’Connor, Laura’s friend and crush, is another important character. It takes a skilled actor to portray a complex man such as Jim who does not flinch at the sight of Laura’s disability. It takes a real special and sensitive man to see beyond appearances and care for the person for what she truly is the way Jim sees Laura. When Amanda left Jim and Laura alone so their friendship could blossom provides a truly magical moment on stage.
It is so easy to see Laura’s struggles as she copes with the emotionally and physically crippling disability. But as she hands the broken glass unicorn to Jim, Laura simply shines and her disability temporarily set aside. We see a different Laura, glowing from inside because of her new-found friend Jim. Despite Jim’s sudden declaration that he is committed to a serious relationship, Laura manages to accept the blow with equanimity unusual for her age of twenty-four years. The broken unicorn symbolizes broken dreams. The distant, even unreal aspirations represented by a unicorn, which would forever remain an unattainable dream. The kind of dream Laura sees in Jim’s eyes which hastily vanished as reality sets in and he bids her goodbye.
Amanda Wingfield takes a little bit of getting used to. Her manipulative and sometimes boastful ways are not exactly endearing but we know deep down she is likable person. It takes a good actress to make Amanda’s role her own.
The actress playing Amanda Wingfield is a revelation. Amanda being the belle from the South who has great aspirations but is not capable of achieving them is quite an enigma and a challenge to anybody who plays the part. The actress though is able to pull through and create the necessary impression on Amanda’s character as depicted in the play. Instead of seeing a disillusioned Amanda - one who lives in the world of fantasy – we see an Amanda who is more realistic and strong-minded.
Unlike the other characters in the story, Amanda does not down her sorrows in empty pursuits typified by her daughter Laura’s preoccupation with the collection of animal glass. And Tom’s nightly visits to the movies which in actuality pertain to the bars and brothels of Depression-era St. Louis. Amanda manages to contain her pains of abandonment by reminiscing the glory days when she had plenty of suitors and a
Southern belle.
Being confronted with a difficult situation where her 24-year-old daughter Laura, who is too shy to earn a business degree, Amanda plans a practical strategy for survival with the aid of her son Tom. She will marry Laura off to some nice young man. Tom chooses Jim for the part and invites him home for supper. At that time, the plan seems practical. They do not count on Jim backing off at the last minute though and saying he is already engaged. This compounded the problem some more though as they are left to help a broken-hearted Laura cope on top of their woes.
Thinking that Tom played a cruel joke on them, Amanda confronts Tom. This escalates into a heated argument between mother and son. It is to be their final fight since not long after Tom leaves them for good. In the heart-wrenching closing monologue, we find Tom admitting that the memory of his sister Laura still lingers even though several years has gone by since he abandoned her and Amanda.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Renaissance Art
Renaissance is the French equivalent of the Italian word rinascita which means "rebirth". This is period of European history from early 14th century to late 16th century. This period is characterized by radical and comprehensive changes that took place in European culture leading to the end of the Middle Ages as it makes its transition to the modern world.
Cultural rebirth was the central characteristic of the Renaissance. There is a marked revival of the values and artistic styles of classical antiuqity during the period particularly in Italy.
Giovanni Boccaccio in the 14th century defined Renaissance as the collective Italian efforts to imitate the poetic style of the ancient Romans. In 1550 the art historian Giorgio Vasari coined the term rinascita (rebirth) to refer to the imitation of the ancient Roman method of painting by Giotto di Bondone at the start of the 14th century.
Renaissance: Italy
The "rebirth" of art in Italy was brought about by the rediscovery of ancient philosophy, literature, and science and the changes of empirical methods of study in these fields.
The evolution of Italian Renaissance art was an evolving process but it is divided into three major phases: Early, High, and Late Renaissance.
The Early Renaissance
The principal members of the first generation of Renaissance artists - Donatello in sculpture, Filippo Brunelleschi in architecture, and Masaccio in painting. Early Renaissance artists create art forms that imitates the physical appearance of the natural world and in consonance with their experience of human personality and behavior.
Early Renaissance pertains to all the art of the 15th century. In 1450, a new generation of artists such as Pollaiuolo and Sandro Botticelli flourished in Florence. Leon Battista Alberti’s work in Rimini and Mantua represented the best architecture of the new HUMANISM; Andrea Mantegna's paintings in Padua showcases linear perspective, antiquarianism, and realistic technique; and Giovanni Bellini's portrays poetic classicism.
The High Renaissance
The art of the High Renaissance sought a general, unified effect of pictorial representation or architectural composition exuding dramatic force and physical presence.
The High Renaissance style endured for only a brief period (c.1495-1520) and was created by a few artists of genius, among them Leonardo da Vinci, Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian.
The Late Renaissance
In 1527, Rome was sacked which hindered the progress of Italian art. Artists were forced to leave and settle in other parts in Italy, France, and Spain. Some early proponets of MANNERISM, were Jacopo Carucci Pontormo, Parmigianino, and Rosso Fiorentino. The mannerism style however were expressed extemely in the work of Giorgio Vasari and Giovanni da Bologna. Mannerism was an aesthetic movement that placed importance on refined grace and elegance -the beautiful maniera, or style, from which Mannerism derives its name.
Cultural rebirth was the central characteristic of the Renaissance. There is a marked revival of the values and artistic styles of classical antiuqity during the period particularly in Italy.
Giovanni Boccaccio in the 14th century defined Renaissance as the collective Italian efforts to imitate the poetic style of the ancient Romans. In 1550 the art historian Giorgio Vasari coined the term rinascita (rebirth) to refer to the imitation of the ancient Roman method of painting by Giotto di Bondone at the start of the 14th century.
Renaissance: Italy
The "rebirth" of art in Italy was brought about by the rediscovery of ancient philosophy, literature, and science and the changes of empirical methods of study in these fields.
The evolution of Italian Renaissance art was an evolving process but it is divided into three major phases: Early, High, and Late Renaissance.
The Early Renaissance
The principal members of the first generation of Renaissance artists - Donatello in sculpture, Filippo Brunelleschi in architecture, and Masaccio in painting. Early Renaissance artists create art forms that imitates the physical appearance of the natural world and in consonance with their experience of human personality and behavior.
Early Renaissance pertains to all the art of the 15th century. In 1450, a new generation of artists such as Pollaiuolo and Sandro Botticelli flourished in Florence. Leon Battista Alberti’s work in Rimini and Mantua represented the best architecture of the new HUMANISM; Andrea Mantegna's paintings in Padua showcases linear perspective, antiquarianism, and realistic technique; and Giovanni Bellini's portrays poetic classicism.
The High Renaissance
The art of the High Renaissance sought a general, unified effect of pictorial representation or architectural composition exuding dramatic force and physical presence.
The High Renaissance style endured for only a brief period (c.1495-1520) and was created by a few artists of genius, among them Leonardo da Vinci, Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian.
The Late Renaissance
In 1527, Rome was sacked which hindered the progress of Italian art. Artists were forced to leave and settle in other parts in Italy, France, and Spain. Some early proponets of MANNERISM, were Jacopo Carucci Pontormo, Parmigianino, and Rosso Fiorentino. The mannerism style however were expressed extemely in the work of Giorgio Vasari and Giovanni da Bologna. Mannerism was an aesthetic movement that placed importance on refined grace and elegance -the beautiful maniera, or style, from which Mannerism derives its name.
Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen
Hedda Gabler is one of Henrik Ibsen’s important ‘problem plays’. The play depicts conflict in Hedda’s life as she tries to fit into her new life as a married person. She sued to belong to an aristocratic family but is delegated to a bourgeois life as she married Tesman. Hedda Gabler is an apt title to this play because what Ibsen attempted to depict is that Hedda is to be regarded as the father’s daughter rather than her husband’s wife. Her personality being that of an aristocrat identifies her more of her previous life with her family rather than her present role as a wife of a bourgeois.
Hedda subjects herself to societal norms even at the risk of losing the one she adores in order to conform to society. In her need to stick to conventions, she marries Dr. Tesman whose status in life promises stability and respectability for her instead of marrying a poor rake like Ejlert Lövborg whom she finds fascinating. The life she seeks through Tesman leads her to boredom and uselessness though. She shows disregard for Aunt Julia who raises her husband and provides for them financially. She is mean to Mrs. Elvsted who is a former classmate of Hedda.
Hedda Gabler is the epitome of a worldly woman. She is sophisticated, well-bred and pretty. She feels trapped as she assumed the inevitable role of a middle class courtesy of her marrying one. This results to feelings of boredom which brings dire consequences at the end.
Another condition that leads to her feelings of boredom is her pregnancy. Being selfish, she finds her predicament unsettling and unbearable. Her selfishness and inability to find better use of her time drives her to commit ghastly acts. She flirts with her former lover Ejlert and develops alliance with Judge Brack, despite her being very much married and pregnant. She hides Ejlert’s manuscript and encourages him to commit suicide even hands him one of her pistol. And in the ultimate act of selfishness, she commits suicide at the end.
The other male characters seem in love with Hedda. It could be due to her sense of beauty in a decadent way. Brack wants to start a relationship with her and Ejlert hopes that she shares his "passion for life." She finds these ideas quite ridiculous. She rejects Ejlert's views and teases Brack by referring to him as "the cock of the walk." Even Mrs. Elvsted does not feel uncomfortable around Hedda because she had bad experience with her in the past when they were classmates.
Despite Hedda’s apparent faults, she portrays the most influential character. She manipulates other people because she has no peace or happiness in her life. Hedda's power is so broad that her self-destruction tendencies lead to the ruin of the lives of other characters. The rest of the characters only serve to show what Hedda does and does not have. Her lack of sympathy is apparent when she burns Ejlert manuscript, encourages him to commit suicide and begging him to do it beautifully. Her questionable morals are revealed when she associates with Judge Brack. Her meanness shows when she deals with Aunt Julia and Mrs. Elvsted.
The way Hedda relates to the people surrounding her shows callousness and utter disregard. When Hedda perceived that Ejlert has failed her by not shooting himself at the temple but is killed accidentally in a scuffle, disillusionment sets in. Her burden is further compounded when she learns that a scandal might occur for her. Her strong need to conform being threatened, Hedda sees no way out but to shoot herself.
A number of reasons come into play that eventually paves the way for Hedda’s suicide. Her spiritual poverty prevents her to appreciate what she has. Hedda manipulates everyone around her. She is strong but in an unguided and coarse way. She is also cruel and insolent. She does not hesitate to hurt other people just for the pleasure it provides.
The life of ease as defined by an aristocracy enables Hedda to appreciate the good life. The good life being in the midst of wealth and beauty. She forms a certain standard in mind which she desires to come up to. She never worries a day in her life being in the upper class. She is amused by how much Tesman worries about making a living.
Being the wife of a middle class however wakes her up to the painful reality of having to work to earn a living. Hedda’s appreciation for the good life even reveals in suicide. She even wishes Ejlert a "beautiful" suicide when he expresses his need to commit suicide and she hands him one of her pistol. To Hedda, life ought to be beautiful even in bleak times such as suicide.
Hedda’s morals leave much to be desired. She does not hesitate on flirting with other guys while her husband is not around even encourages their attention. Her values are based on aesthetic standards not on moral standards. To her, beauty matters more even if at the expense of morality or values.
Her natural predisposition to aristocratic ways prevents her to sympathize with her husband, Tesman’s plight. She is shallow. It is easy to see that whatever burdens she feel is due to her character or the apparent absence of it.
Due to her shortcomings, it is difficult for her to see another person’s point of view. Her false standards of happiness prevent her from looking beyond what is obvious. She is like an empty jar - beautiful to look at but nothing inside.
Hedda subjects herself to societal norms even at the risk of losing the one she adores in order to conform to society. In her need to stick to conventions, she marries Dr. Tesman whose status in life promises stability and respectability for her instead of marrying a poor rake like Ejlert Lövborg whom she finds fascinating. The life she seeks through Tesman leads her to boredom and uselessness though. She shows disregard for Aunt Julia who raises her husband and provides for them financially. She is mean to Mrs. Elvsted who is a former classmate of Hedda.
Hedda Gabler is the epitome of a worldly woman. She is sophisticated, well-bred and pretty. She feels trapped as she assumed the inevitable role of a middle class courtesy of her marrying one. This results to feelings of boredom which brings dire consequences at the end.
Another condition that leads to her feelings of boredom is her pregnancy. Being selfish, she finds her predicament unsettling and unbearable. Her selfishness and inability to find better use of her time drives her to commit ghastly acts. She flirts with her former lover Ejlert and develops alliance with Judge Brack, despite her being very much married and pregnant. She hides Ejlert’s manuscript and encourages him to commit suicide even hands him one of her pistol. And in the ultimate act of selfishness, she commits suicide at the end.
The other male characters seem in love with Hedda. It could be due to her sense of beauty in a decadent way. Brack wants to start a relationship with her and Ejlert hopes that she shares his "passion for life." She finds these ideas quite ridiculous. She rejects Ejlert's views and teases Brack by referring to him as "the cock of the walk." Even Mrs. Elvsted does not feel uncomfortable around Hedda because she had bad experience with her in the past when they were classmates.
Despite Hedda’s apparent faults, she portrays the most influential character. She manipulates other people because she has no peace or happiness in her life. Hedda's power is so broad that her self-destruction tendencies lead to the ruin of the lives of other characters. The rest of the characters only serve to show what Hedda does and does not have. Her lack of sympathy is apparent when she burns Ejlert manuscript, encourages him to commit suicide and begging him to do it beautifully. Her questionable morals are revealed when she associates with Judge Brack. Her meanness shows when she deals with Aunt Julia and Mrs. Elvsted.
The way Hedda relates to the people surrounding her shows callousness and utter disregard. When Hedda perceived that Ejlert has failed her by not shooting himself at the temple but is killed accidentally in a scuffle, disillusionment sets in. Her burden is further compounded when she learns that a scandal might occur for her. Her strong need to conform being threatened, Hedda sees no way out but to shoot herself.
A number of reasons come into play that eventually paves the way for Hedda’s suicide. Her spiritual poverty prevents her to appreciate what she has. Hedda manipulates everyone around her. She is strong but in an unguided and coarse way. She is also cruel and insolent. She does not hesitate to hurt other people just for the pleasure it provides.
The life of ease as defined by an aristocracy enables Hedda to appreciate the good life. The good life being in the midst of wealth and beauty. She forms a certain standard in mind which she desires to come up to. She never worries a day in her life being in the upper class. She is amused by how much Tesman worries about making a living.
Being the wife of a middle class however wakes her up to the painful reality of having to work to earn a living. Hedda’s appreciation for the good life even reveals in suicide. She even wishes Ejlert a "beautiful" suicide when he expresses his need to commit suicide and she hands him one of her pistol. To Hedda, life ought to be beautiful even in bleak times such as suicide.
Hedda’s morals leave much to be desired. She does not hesitate on flirting with other guys while her husband is not around even encourages their attention. Her values are based on aesthetic standards not on moral standards. To her, beauty matters more even if at the expense of morality or values.
Her natural predisposition to aristocratic ways prevents her to sympathize with her husband, Tesman’s plight. She is shallow. It is easy to see that whatever burdens she feel is due to her character or the apparent absence of it.
Due to her shortcomings, it is difficult for her to see another person’s point of view. Her false standards of happiness prevent her from looking beyond what is obvious. She is like an empty jar - beautiful to look at but nothing inside.
Profile of a Songwriter: John Lennon
John Winston Ono Lennon (9 October 1940 – 8 December 1980) is undoubtedly one of the greatest and most famous songwriter of all times. He was best known as a singer, songwriter, and guitarist for the English music group The Beatles. As the partner of the legendary songwriting duo Lennon-McCartney team, his heavy influence on the phenomenal growth of rock music with introduction of more advanced multi-layered arrangements, mature lyrical sentiments and musical eclecticism echoes to this day.
Lennon had a deep influence on rock and roll and in developing the genre during the 1960s. He is considered together with his songwriting partner Paul McCartney, as one of the most influential singer-songwriter-musicians of the 20th century. A number of the songs he wrote feature reflective pieces usually in the first person as opposed to McCartney's style of writing. His most wonderful pieces of songwriting, "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "I Am the Walrus", reflect the best examples of his unique style. Lennon provided the sad, personal style of writing which complemented Paul’s upbeat positive outlook.
Songwriting Career
The amazingly effective simple chord in Lennon songs has baffled songwriters for years. For instance, “Strawberry Fields Forever”: The verse concludes with a classic I–vi–IV–V progression, then the chorus jumps off a harmonic cliff, plunging to the v (minor) and VI7 (now major) as we arrive at the place where “nothing is real.” It is easy to analyze Lennon’s work but the magic it creates is beyond our grasps.
A number of Lennon songs use harmonic vertigo, implementing a simple chord switch from major to minor and vice versa, variations into sudden keys, the occasional augmented or ninth chord. For instance “Real Love,” the Lennon-written Beatles track on the posthumous Anthology 2. The falsetto lines that lead into the chorus, “Why must we be alone? / Why must we be alone?” which are complemented by an unusual shift from D (I) to C9 (bVII9) and back again.
The Acoustic collection provides a very personal portrait of Lennon the songwriter and guitarist, playing songs in unplugged form. Highlights include “Watching the Wheels,” which sounds downright folksy compared to the version on Double Fantasy, and “Real Love”.
In the Beatles, Lennon mostly provided the rhythmic side, playing the singular changes (often using full barre chords) and allowing Harrison to add ornamentation and texture. On rare occasions Lennon would want to lead which is apparent in “Get Back”. After the White Album, he recorded some beautiful stand-alone accompaniment parts, such as the superb fingerstyle “Dear Prudence.”
As Lennon’s harmonic sense keep getting better so did his lyric writing. Looking back at his contributions to the Beatles album, Lennon once commented that his most personal writing turned out to be his best work such as the songs “Help!” “Strawberry Fields,” and “In My Life”.
In his solo years, Lennon wanted to reveal the truth and take away the art and pretense. Plastic Ono Band, released in 1970 after the Beatles lost its luster and when he was hospitalized in Dr. Arthur Janov’s Primal Center, sounds surprisingly raw despite the rising number of singer-songwriters revealing their innermost thoughts stripped of deceit for therapy and art throughout the decades.
Lennon’s writing on Plastic Ono Band and the gentler follow-up, Imagine was due to his personal experience on the process of self-discovery rather than expressing a very smart idea. Lennon merely expresses himself and his take on matters. Unlike some early Beatles songs, they are not intended to be genre pieces.
Six songs from Plastic Ono Band showed on Acoustic, including the little gem “Love” and the melancholy “Look at Me.” At times he felt resentment for way people put the Beatles on the lofty pedestal even to the point of saying “I don’t believe in Beatles,” in the song he wrote “God”. At the same time, Lennon is also very much aware of the fact that his music provides a great avenue for him to broadcast his messages to the world. He had the knack of compressing an idea down into a catchphrase or slogan such as “All you need is love.” “Power to the people.” “Give peace a chance.”
His lyrics showcase his wide range of musical ability. It could be abstract and complex or extremely simple and honest stripped of pretence. Whatever it is Lennon wants to display often ends up providing a great range of color and creativity through the use of metaphor and simile. John possessed a keen mind, quick wit and sharp tongue. He was always searching for something that could fill the emptiness he felt inside and give him the happiness and direction he so desperately needed. He somehow found what he was searching for in Yoko Ono’s side which led to the disbandment of the greatest rock group of all times the Beatles. He told Paul in 1971, "I want a divorce" and the Beatles were formally dissolved by January of 1971, each pursuing separate ways.
Lennon had a deep influence on rock and roll and in developing the genre during the 1960s. He is considered together with his songwriting partner Paul McCartney, as one of the most influential singer-songwriter-musicians of the 20th century. A number of the songs he wrote feature reflective pieces usually in the first person as opposed to McCartney's style of writing. His most wonderful pieces of songwriting, "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "I Am the Walrus", reflect the best examples of his unique style. Lennon provided the sad, personal style of writing which complemented Paul’s upbeat positive outlook.
Songwriting Career
The amazingly effective simple chord in Lennon songs has baffled songwriters for years. For instance, “Strawberry Fields Forever”: The verse concludes with a classic I–vi–IV–V progression, then the chorus jumps off a harmonic cliff, plunging to the v (minor) and VI7 (now major) as we arrive at the place where “nothing is real.” It is easy to analyze Lennon’s work but the magic it creates is beyond our grasps.
A number of Lennon songs use harmonic vertigo, implementing a simple chord switch from major to minor and vice versa, variations into sudden keys, the occasional augmented or ninth chord. For instance “Real Love,” the Lennon-written Beatles track on the posthumous Anthology 2. The falsetto lines that lead into the chorus, “Why must we be alone? / Why must we be alone?” which are complemented by an unusual shift from D (I) to C9 (bVII9) and back again.
The Acoustic collection provides a very personal portrait of Lennon the songwriter and guitarist, playing songs in unplugged form. Highlights include “Watching the Wheels,” which sounds downright folksy compared to the version on Double Fantasy, and “Real Love”.
In the Beatles, Lennon mostly provided the rhythmic side, playing the singular changes (often using full barre chords) and allowing Harrison to add ornamentation and texture. On rare occasions Lennon would want to lead which is apparent in “Get Back”. After the White Album, he recorded some beautiful stand-alone accompaniment parts, such as the superb fingerstyle “Dear Prudence.”
As Lennon’s harmonic sense keep getting better so did his lyric writing. Looking back at his contributions to the Beatles album, Lennon once commented that his most personal writing turned out to be his best work such as the songs “Help!” “Strawberry Fields,” and “In My Life”.
In his solo years, Lennon wanted to reveal the truth and take away the art and pretense. Plastic Ono Band, released in 1970 after the Beatles lost its luster and when he was hospitalized in Dr. Arthur Janov’s Primal Center, sounds surprisingly raw despite the rising number of singer-songwriters revealing their innermost thoughts stripped of deceit for therapy and art throughout the decades.
Lennon’s writing on Plastic Ono Band and the gentler follow-up, Imagine was due to his personal experience on the process of self-discovery rather than expressing a very smart idea. Lennon merely expresses himself and his take on matters. Unlike some early Beatles songs, they are not intended to be genre pieces.
Six songs from Plastic Ono Band showed on Acoustic, including the little gem “Love” and the melancholy “Look at Me.” At times he felt resentment for way people put the Beatles on the lofty pedestal even to the point of saying “I don’t believe in Beatles,” in the song he wrote “God”. At the same time, Lennon is also very much aware of the fact that his music provides a great avenue for him to broadcast his messages to the world. He had the knack of compressing an idea down into a catchphrase or slogan such as “All you need is love.” “Power to the people.” “Give peace a chance.”
His lyrics showcase his wide range of musical ability. It could be abstract and complex or extremely simple and honest stripped of pretence. Whatever it is Lennon wants to display often ends up providing a great range of color and creativity through the use of metaphor and simile. John possessed a keen mind, quick wit and sharp tongue. He was always searching for something that could fill the emptiness he felt inside and give him the happiness and direction he so desperately needed. He somehow found what he was searching for in Yoko Ono’s side which led to the disbandment of the greatest rock group of all times the Beatles. He told Paul in 1971, "I want a divorce" and the Beatles were formally dissolved by January of 1971, each pursuing separate ways.
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood is based on the infamous double murder in Canada in the1840's. The novel centers on a pretty 16 year-old servant girl who connived with a ranch helper to kill their employer and his mistress and ran off with their belongings. This is a true story which evoke furor in the community when it happened. They were captured several days later. The trial was much-publicized and they were found guilty of premeditated murder. The young man, James McDermott, was sentenced to death, and the girl, Grace Marks, was put to prison due to her age and the fact that she is a girl.
Alias Grace begins after the Grace has served 8 years in prison. She is around 24 years old. A young doctor, Dr. Simon Jordan, who wants to apply a new method of psychology, wants to use it on Grace. A group that has continuously strived to earn pardon for Grace Marks has recruited him with the hopes that he will declare Grace sane and innocent on all counts of murder.
Grace begins her story with her family in Scotland. Grace was sent to Canada as a servant. Here is where Grace meets her first true friend, Mary Whitney. Mary teaches Grace to be independent. Grace looks up to her. Unfortunately, Mary has a horrible death due to a bad surgical abortion and Grace is left alone and troubled by the gruesome death of her friend.
Grace meets Nancy Montgomery the housekeeper of Thomas Kinnear. She takes a job under Nancy mistakenly believing in their friendship. Soon Nancy is overtaken with Grace in the house, she becomes increasingly jealous of her role with Mr. Kinnear. Grace later discovers that the relationship between Kinnear and Montgomery is more than just employer-employee. Kinnear also beds Montgomery. With the proposed dismissal of Grace and the hired hand McDermott, Grace is led with McDermott into killing the two and robbing them for their own escape. Although not long after, in a hotel, Grace and McDermott, even though ironically using the alias Mary Whitney, are arrested.
The setting of Alias Grace is extremely important in the story. The story takes place in the novel and in actuality in the mid to late eighteen hundreds. The murders of Nancy Montgomery and Thomas Kinnear occurred on July 23, 1843. The crime and court proceedings are all dated to their actual time and place.
The irony in Alias Grace exists in the fact that Grace was not aware that she committed the murder. In the past multiple personality or insanity is not an acceptable reason. A murder is simply a murder. It does not matter what the story behind is. Alias Grace reveals that deficiency in the earlier times. We have to consider the fact that the novel is set in the 18th century, in Kingston a small town in Canada. This is important because during this time in history there the theory that "innocent until proven guilty" is not recognized nor practiced.
There was a trial by publicity which means the judge, jurors, and the public had all decided Grace Marks was guilty even before she was tried. There was no sequestering of juries in those days that would filter public opinion and limit its devastating effect to the jurors. False accusations could easily ruin the opinions of those trying Grace Marks. During those times, the sentencing was apparently more brutal than today. If a person was found guilty of murder the sentence was death by hanging. Death penalty nowadays is less brutal and is applicable only in rare and extreme cases such as serial killings.
McDermott was hanged for the murder of two people. Grace even though she escaped the same fate suffered as much though. The life in prisons and asylums during those times were not exactly ideal either. They were even considered barbaric by today's standards. Aside from that, the need to correctly diagnose of mental disabilities was practically nonexistent.
In the novel, Dr. Jordan’s use of hypnosis to ferret out the truth from Grace was not acceptable and was widely unorthodox. When it was found out that Grace has multiple personality disorders which explains her incapacity to recall what happened that fateful day is considered unusual if not weird revelation. During those times, it is not unusual to see a number of cases brought about by insanity that were tried and meted death by hanging while those mentally stable convicts were put into an asylum.
Alias Grace begins after the Grace has served 8 years in prison. She is around 24 years old. A young doctor, Dr. Simon Jordan, who wants to apply a new method of psychology, wants to use it on Grace. A group that has continuously strived to earn pardon for Grace Marks has recruited him with the hopes that he will declare Grace sane and innocent on all counts of murder.
Grace begins her story with her family in Scotland. Grace was sent to Canada as a servant. Here is where Grace meets her first true friend, Mary Whitney. Mary teaches Grace to be independent. Grace looks up to her. Unfortunately, Mary has a horrible death due to a bad surgical abortion and Grace is left alone and troubled by the gruesome death of her friend.
Grace meets Nancy Montgomery the housekeeper of Thomas Kinnear. She takes a job under Nancy mistakenly believing in their friendship. Soon Nancy is overtaken with Grace in the house, she becomes increasingly jealous of her role with Mr. Kinnear. Grace later discovers that the relationship between Kinnear and Montgomery is more than just employer-employee. Kinnear also beds Montgomery. With the proposed dismissal of Grace and the hired hand McDermott, Grace is led with McDermott into killing the two and robbing them for their own escape. Although not long after, in a hotel, Grace and McDermott, even though ironically using the alias Mary Whitney, are arrested.
The setting of Alias Grace is extremely important in the story. The story takes place in the novel and in actuality in the mid to late eighteen hundreds. The murders of Nancy Montgomery and Thomas Kinnear occurred on July 23, 1843. The crime and court proceedings are all dated to their actual time and place.
The irony in Alias Grace exists in the fact that Grace was not aware that she committed the murder. In the past multiple personality or insanity is not an acceptable reason. A murder is simply a murder. It does not matter what the story behind is. Alias Grace reveals that deficiency in the earlier times. We have to consider the fact that the novel is set in the 18th century, in Kingston a small town in Canada. This is important because during this time in history there the theory that "innocent until proven guilty" is not recognized nor practiced.
There was a trial by publicity which means the judge, jurors, and the public had all decided Grace Marks was guilty even before she was tried. There was no sequestering of juries in those days that would filter public opinion and limit its devastating effect to the jurors. False accusations could easily ruin the opinions of those trying Grace Marks. During those times, the sentencing was apparently more brutal than today. If a person was found guilty of murder the sentence was death by hanging. Death penalty nowadays is less brutal and is applicable only in rare and extreme cases such as serial killings.
McDermott was hanged for the murder of two people. Grace even though she escaped the same fate suffered as much though. The life in prisons and asylums during those times were not exactly ideal either. They were even considered barbaric by today's standards. Aside from that, the need to correctly diagnose of mental disabilities was practically nonexistent.
In the novel, Dr. Jordan’s use of hypnosis to ferret out the truth from Grace was not acceptable and was widely unorthodox. When it was found out that Grace has multiple personality disorders which explains her incapacity to recall what happened that fateful day is considered unusual if not weird revelation. During those times, it is not unusual to see a number of cases brought about by insanity that were tried and meted death by hanging while those mentally stable convicts were put into an asylum.
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