APLit2010

Argument: H.G. Wells writes about science fiction, more specifically, a higher power or a powerful controller in his books War of the Worlds and The Time Machine. Claim: Wells socialist views show his concern for the future of the world. Evidence:"Since the Morlocks on one level stand for the late nineteenth century proletariat, the Traveller's attitude towards them symbolizes a contemporary bourgeois fear of the working class."

Source #3 Argument: Connection is why we're here. Claim: Shame is the fear of disconnection which leads to vulnerability. The people who have a strong sense of love and belonging believe their worthy of love and belonging. We fear we're not worthy of connection. The people who thought they were worthy had courage, compassion, connection, and embraced vulnerability. We numb vulnerability however we cannot selectivly numb emotion. Evidence: Between the main characters in both novels they feel this way as described in the claim. They both get to that numb vulnerability stage where they don't exactly know how to handle it.

Argument: The extra-linguistic components of words are used to help define meaning. Claim: The Bible, in example, is now being studied using lexical semantics which focuses on the meaning of an individual word not in context with the surrounding words. This in turn focuses on the semantic, individual meaning, of the word to define the surrounding text instead of the text defining the single word. Evidence: "As such, a word, or combination of words, could, at least in theory, have a different meaning from genre to genre." "We can apply a semantic approach to Scripture and believe that we have understood what God wants us to know." http://www.answersingenesis.org/tj/v5/i1/semantic.asp

Argument: Coupland illustrates the characters in Girlfriend in a Coma as confident and collected while simultaneously demonstrating their struggle to find their place in the world. Each chapter interrupts the flow of the story, often jumping from one major event to another, skipping the minor details in between. Hamilton is concerned that they are not doing anything to change the world on their own but rather wasting their time with careers such as modeling that have no positive impacts in the world around them. Karen's fears transform into a reality when she falls into a coma for seventeen years. As time passes, her friends lose all of their dreams, hopes, and passions for their careers. An apocalyptic event has not taken place so Coupland takes his story Girlfriend in a Coma to the extreme by inventing and transforming the book from a story about teenagers into a story about teenagers whom are trapped in adult bodies. Evidence: "And they don't cope well. "There's nothing at the centre of what we do," Hamilton complains, and Coupland homes in on his true subject. Waking from her coma, Karen is alarmed that her friends mirror the new soullessness she sees in society: "Their dreams are forgotten, or were never formulated to begin with...they seem at best insular, and without a central core, which might give purpose to their lives." "Coupland successfully raises the pitch to the apocalyptic with his sarin-style, X Files-ish mass sleeping, but then stumbles headlong into adult fable by pursuing his Big Moral Question. Why are our lives empty? Jared, a ghost, takes over from Richard as narrator, introducing a dangerously glutinous, pan-Christian murk of cosmology as he leads the adult-kids though fumbling dissolution towards an ethical gravitas." "Such chapter headings as "Reject Every Idea" (familiar from Generation X) slice across the continuity of Couplan

Argument: As time continues to evolve, woman are becoming more and more independent in every aspect of their lives. Breaking away from their husbands and manly figures in their lives, they have become people of strong independence. Claim: In both novels by Mary Higgins Clark, the main character is a woman and has her own sort of independence, and that independence seems to get her out of dire situations. The Cradle Will Fall and A Cry in the Night are both mystery novels, and the way the woman are not killed at the end of the book is because they sought out their own independence and did not have to lean on their husband or boyfriend for support in any situation. In Ne-yo's song, Miss Independent, he talks about how an independent woman is a lady who takes control of herself and of her life. She does not need the support of others to aid her in any way, but can figure things out on her own. She is a bright, intelligent, hard working woman and can get through any situation by herself. Evidence: "Kinda woman that can do for herself" "Car and Crib, she['s] about to pay [th]em both off and her bills are pad on time" "Anything less she['s] telling them to get lost" "Her favorite thing to say 'don't worry I got it,' and everything she got best believe she bought it" 

I'm having some issues with the website, but I do have the analysis saved if you end up needing a hard copy :)

Maryam Shakir Ms.Jensen AP Lit 12 Janurary 20 Uncle Tom's Cabin Literary Criticism Not surprisingly, the story Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe was based on a story of a real ex- slave. This is exactly what the article by Ilona Kromenzsky attempts to unearth. Along with the usual props given to Beecher for being the first international bestseller in the United states, topping the sales of even the Bible with the controversial story, there is also an unusual aspect to Kromenzsky's analysis of the writer and her tale. She relates that a the man who inspired the book had actually given his story in an autobiography prior to the actually Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet. Josiah Hensen was a real man who escaped slavery by running to Canada and establishing his place in society partially by his love of religion, nearly verbatim to the story line of Stowe's story. There is now a historical site on the grounds of where the true Uncle Tom's cabin was, a tribute to both the book an the man who inspired the phenomenon.

In Clifford J. Kurkowski crisism of One who flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, Kurkowski discusses that women who want to obtain power and stature in society have always struggled to keep their position, such as Nurse Ratched. Kirkowski talks about the fact that Kesey is not trying to degrade females by representing them negatively but also in a positive light. He analyzed the language used to describe Nurse Ratched and came to a conclusion that she is always trying to stay in control in power when put in chaotic positions. He said that it should be seen as a positive character trait that her "dominating attitude is a calculated move to maintain order". He says that she needs to be seen in a positive light. At the time that the book was written Kurkowski brings up the fact that America was a young nation looking for it's identify. Along with that was the uprising of the Women's Liberation movement, which was looking for equal opportunities and rewards for women. It's vital to understand a stories background, back then women were seen as less, so they were more likely to be written as less, and since they were advocating to be more equal it is understandable that women would think that they were being seen in a negative light, but there is always to sides to a story.

Argument: The argument is that TIm O'Brien, the author of "The Things They Carried", Creates a both fictional and non-fictional story which creates confusion in interpreting the books stories. Stories are jumbled up and not told in sequence or by the same people, or even interupted because of the stroytellers death. Because of this the reader may struggle with having a clear understanidng of the novel. Evidence:"'Patrol went up the mountain. One man came back. He died before he could tell us what happened,'"(6) -- many are in their own way as enigmatic. The tales included in O'Brien's twenty-two chapters range from several lines to many pages and demonstrate well the impossibility of knowing the reality of the war in absolute terms." "Tim Obrien terms TheThings They Carried "'fiction. . . a novel. . . (Mehren El), but in an interview with Martin Naparsteck, he refers to the work as a "sort of half novel, half group of stories. It's part nonfiction, too," he insists" Thoughts: I agree with the argument of this essay. I often become confused or lost within the stories of Tim O;Briens "The Things They Carried" because the stories are so damn unorganized! One story may begin than abruptly end, only to be finished by another soldier farther along in the novel. I will admit it is a challenge to understand, but I do enjoy this novel, and must admit the stories are interesting......well, when understood at least.

This article is showing how different people cope with the tragedy in lovely bones. How everyone deals with things in their own ways. In this article it states all the different ways the family coped in the situation of their daughter or sisters death. How their parents never learned to move on from the tragic death of their daughter but how the two living children learned to move on with their own lives and still connect with their sister

Argument: The argument is that this book forces the reader to think a little out of the box and it can seem as a realistic story.The reader must be able to intertwine their "senses" between the fast and present, between reality and fantasy, and through the lives of yin and yang. The critic, Benzi Zhang, just summarizes the book and discusses the points in the book where the characters changes between past and present. Evidence: "Tan's novel moves toward the subversion of our rational perception of life, elaborating on "the question of life continuing beyond our ordinary senses" (Zhang). "Western rationalism and materialism have left Olivia with a limited view of life, and she cannot grasp the spiritual values embodied in Kwan's Chinese way of thinking" (Zhang). Thoughts: I think that this book just forces the reader to go deeper into the book, and makes them read beyond the words. This book may be realistic in some ways, since everyone gets confused between reality and fantasy. Tan uses symbolism and creativity to explain her life, or how shoe would have liked it to be. She views everything so open minded, and she observes every detail, and wondering how the it might portray to someone else. This book is the perfect book to describe Tan's thinking.

Argument: The argument is The Pearl is a realistic book that does not have happy endings or sugar coats the realistic part, its just a fictional story with true meaning to it. In each book he writes he shows a different interpretation on life and how it really was at the time period. Evidence: "Perhaps such a basically fantastic, sentimental story does not warrant such strong condemnation; but The Pearl has been widely used as an introduction to fiction, and it provides the kind of introduction that is a disservice both to its author--who wrote much better, controlled works--and to fiction itself by failing to suggest the tough-minded complexity of the greatest examples of the art." (French). "The story that Steinbeck reports hearing is a perfect, self-contained parable that can be read in a variety of ways--it provides consolation for the unsuccessful, a pat on the back for those who choose freedom over wealth, and a scourging of the guilt of those who have suffered for choosing to serve Mammon." (French) "To stress the symbolic importance of these events, Steinbeck heavy-handedly relates each to one of three songs--of the Family, the Enemy, and the Pearl (capitals Steinbeck's)--that Kino keeps hearing in his head." (French) Thoughts: Like most of Steinbeck's books he shows the true meaning of what life was. I think the best authors are the ones who speak there minds and share there opinions in there books. It beings out the character of them. I believe that French (the author of the article) really described and illustrated the way the book effected people and how john Steinbeck is a realist. Steinbeck explains that each and every problem we face every day comes with its pros and cons. Kino had to make a decision with is daily life. I believe wrong he wasn't able to fulfill his dream bring his family on the right track but he made a run at it and most people at that time it was hard to live the dream you always wanted and Steinbeck made a good poi

Argument: In The Pearl, Steinbeck, not only shows hardship and suffering but argues that peoples rights and freedom were lost. He shows that not every story is a happy ending. "The loss of the pearl at the end of the story suggests his loss of hope for the future and a loss in his belief that he can control his life and destiny." (Perkins). It is another story about achevining the "American Dream" Evidence: "Kino's rebellious spirit challenges but cannot change the system. Unable to fight off the forces that try to oppress him, he loses his son along with his dreams of a better life for his family." (Perkins) "Steinbeck offers his response to oppressive political systems that try to crush the human spirit, declaring that he believes that the "free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world." (Perkins) "Steinbeck illustrates the tragic consequences of the loss of that freedom of the spirit in The Pearl, expressing a profound sympathy for the individual and the community that suffers under such an oppressive system." (Perkins) Thoughts: Based on the article the author explains a valid point how in this world we might say were equal on paper but we have to show we are equal. In my opinion I don't think life should end that way i think you should always have a second chance. Steinbeck doesn't describe his books like that. Maybe hes showing the actual world as it is. We might say all this pretty stuff about how the world should be and how life should end up but nothing happening. John Steinbeck is a realist and shows the world how it is. The pearl symbolized his dreams. And an education shouldn't be the only way to be successful in life school and education is not for everyone Steinbeck shows that it just takes a lot of heart to do what you dream of. Kino showed a lot of heart but with the effort he failed and described the world as a failure. Quotes: "But the pearls were accidents, and the finding of one was luc

Argument: The critic argues that The Hundred Secret Senses was a book that left her thinking about if what we as humans always see can be perceived as real, or just our imagination. She also asked which part of the world would be best to actually live your life. Evidence: "In this novel, two sisters, (the father's sisters), are responsible for calling into question both the world of reality, like fantasy" (unknown). "And after reading the book. I wonder: Which of the two sets is most appropriate for us to settle not only survive but try to live?" (unknown). Thoughts: This critic seems to have thoroughly enjoyed this book just because it caused her to actually think. This critic gave such high praise of this book, and after reading The Hundred Secret Senses i have to agree.

This literary criticism shows how Ibsen used Nora in A Doll's House to reveal a societal issue in his play. Ibsen displays the role of women in society through A Doll's House. Another topic in my criticism will talk about how each of the characters display each societal issue presented. This literary criticism breaks down the role of each character in the play.