Interpretations of Othello

I think that it is odd how many different versions of Othello different authors and producers can make. It was supposed to be done on stage not in a novel but reading it could be translated in so many things. It bothers me when I read a book or play and I have an image of what the stage or scene is suppose to look like and it doesn't turn out to be the way I read it. I guess this is one reason that Shakespeare did not put too many stage directions or detail into scenery because it can be widely translated. I imagine this is why it has become so popular because the differences have brought so many discussions and ideas of what is true and what every detail means. For instance... was DesDemona a virgin? What do you think?

Place and Identity

When reading Othello it is easy to see how place and identity is strongly linked. Everyone from the same culture has commented on Othello's differences, even DesDemona. This reminds me of Saint Mary's. Saint Mary's to me, is a more difficult place to feel like you fit in than a larger, maybe even a state school, would. I think this is due to our strong heritage and traditions. There is definitely a certain "fit" that is Saint Mary's College. I know I felt more comfortable here just because my mom and aunt had gone to school at Saint Mary's... It was fun to talk to girls and have them ask when my mom graduated and share that bond. I imagine it would be extremely difficult to go to school here if you did not feel part of the bond, not necessarily legacy bond, but some sort of Saint Mary's bond. I imagine that this is how Othello felt, out of place, or displaced. Except Othello couldn't just transfer schools.

Girl Interrupted

When I was watching the movie and Georgina introduces that she is a pathological lier it made me think of Yellow Wallpaper when Gilman introduced that her story is not entirely true. It made me think that Lisa was the reason that Suzana and her old friend Jamie felt like they needed to stay in the center. I thought that when Lisa went away Jamie got better and left. I felt like the story about hanging herself with a volleyball net was just a lie because Georgina told it. So in fact Lisa was the "devils advocate" as she called herself and prevented the two girls from getting better.

Yellow Wallpaper

Although the consensus seemed to be favorable towards this piece in class, I did not enjoy it as much. Yes, it was the easiest read thus far but the story made me feel uneasy. I couldn't help but become claustrophobic while reading how this woman is stuck in a room with bars and torn wallpaper. A pet peeve of mine is partially torn paper or things for instance when my paper tears with fringes out of a notebook. So to read about how the paper was torn really bothered me and I couldn't get past that image.

I think another problem might be that I cannot relate to this woman at all. I have never felt crazy like her and trapped in a room. It was hard to get into the character. Most of the time I was just thinking that her husband is probably just trying to help her because he doesn't understand her. I feel like I related to the husband more than I did her. I do feel sympathetic to her situation because I think it is sad that women just were casted as crazy when they had an illness that now is seen as common.

Virgina Wolf - A Room of One's Own

On page 37 when Wolf talks about how she would rather have to money over her vote. I think that there was a really good point brought up in class on how having the money allows her to go beyond the vote. That women can't just stop at getting the right to vote. This made me think of civil rights and how blacks went through the same type of ordeal when they were trying to gain the right to vote. We are learning about the 60's in my history class right now and how much of a struggle it was for the blacks to be able to vote. Do you think women went through some of the same trouble? Probably not to the extent that blacks did but maybe they had some men resisting their votes even after they gained the right to. It also makes sense that they have to go beyond just getting the right to vote. For blacks media was the number one key. Getting themselves herd and the media's attention. I think this can be related to women as well. Even though they can vote is that enough? Do you think that women, like blacks, need media's attention or to be published and herd to really have a say?

To me writing is like... a really bad date!

Going on a bad date is something that is bound to happen but you never look forward to it. When you first start out on the date of course you have hopes that it will be a good date and you will have fun. But the guy turns out to be a disappointment. As the date goes on it just keeps getting worse and all you can think about is how bad the date is and when it will be over. Then somewhere in the middle you feel bad about being so harsh so you may try to think positive and give it one more shot. It just doesn't seem to work out though, things just are not clicking. You stick it out though but when the date is over you are relieved and never think about the date again.

Just like bad dates writing is difficult for me because I can never really look forward to writing. When I get writing assignments I do always have hopes that it will go smooth and I will enjoy it. But it always takes me forever and is just frustrating more than fun or relaxing. Words and my thoughts don't flow very easily for me when it comes time to put them on paper.

writing is annoying like this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D0555EtAZ4&feature=related