Finally, Finally, Finally!! We have come at last to the Aldous Huxley work that completes the set of dystopian society. 1984, George Orwell's response to Huxley's Brave New World, highlights the more communist, highly government regulated totalitarianism of brutality. Brave New World highlights the more capitalist/consumerist side of a world ruled by pleasure. Give in to the state and you shall have everything you ever wanted. Ease, convenience and un-passion are the staple of Huxley's Brave New World.
Yay. Give in to the pleasure!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Paul's Case
The Text
Apparently, it is about being gay and such. Written in 1904 by Willa Cather, the themes of homosexuality, freedom (and its opposite), extravagance, and individuality shine true in this short story.
The point of view is mostly limited to Paul. With an ironic style, disdainful tone, and romantic mood, Willa Cather tells a somewhat formal tale about a teenage boy--Paul--and his eventual suicide. Throughout the story, Paul feels trapped in the monotony of Cordelia Street life. He only truly lives in the theatre as the viewer of great drama.
A symbol that comes through in the story is Paul's red carnation which symbolizes his vitality and flamboyance. Another symbol that comes through in this story is the exuberance and exhilaration of the limelight. This limelight possibly symbolizes an addictive desire for the drama of the stage.
Again, the major themes that could be divined from this short story are homosexuality, freedom (and its opposite), extravagance, and individuality. Some other themes that can be found in this story are isolation, loneliness, and spectatorship.
This story really reminded me of J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. It holds the same denial and hatred for life that a teenager might feel in the face of all the hypocrisy and evilness of life. Whereas Holden Caufield obtained help and counseling, Paul did not. Paul kills himself by jumping in front of a train.
Anyway, thought you guys might enjoy this at least a little bit. I know it is dark, but it is a good read.
Apparently, it is about being gay and such. Written in 1904 by Willa Cather, the themes of homosexuality, freedom (and its opposite), extravagance, and individuality shine true in this short story.
The point of view is mostly limited to Paul. With an ironic style, disdainful tone, and romantic mood, Willa Cather tells a somewhat formal tale about a teenage boy--Paul--and his eventual suicide. Throughout the story, Paul feels trapped in the monotony of Cordelia Street life. He only truly lives in the theatre as the viewer of great drama.
A symbol that comes through in the story is Paul's red carnation which symbolizes his vitality and flamboyance. Another symbol that comes through in this story is the exuberance and exhilaration of the limelight. This limelight possibly symbolizes an addictive desire for the drama of the stage.
Again, the major themes that could be divined from this short story are homosexuality, freedom (and its opposite), extravagance, and individuality. Some other themes that can be found in this story are isolation, loneliness, and spectatorship.
This story really reminded me of J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. It holds the same denial and hatred for life that a teenager might feel in the face of all the hypocrisy and evilness of life. Whereas Holden Caufield obtained help and counseling, Paul did not. Paul kills himself by jumping in front of a train.
The sound of an approaching train woke him, and he started to his feet, remembering only his resolution, and afraid lest he should be too late. He stood watching the approaching locomotive, his teeth chattering, his lips drawn away from them in a frightened smile; once or twice he glanced nervously sidewise, as though he were being watched. When the right moment came, he jumped. As he fell, the folly of his haste occurred to him with merciless clearness, the vastness of what he had left undone. There flashed through his brain, clearer than ever before, the blue of Adriatic water, the yellow of Algerian sands.
He felt something strike his chest,--his body was being thrown swiftly through the air, on and on, immeasurably far and fast, while his limbs gently relaxed. Then, because the picture making mechanism was crushed, the disturbing visions flashed into black, and Paul dropped back into the immense design of things.
Anyway, thought you guys might enjoy this at least a little bit. I know it is dark, but it is a good read.
Friday, September 2, 2011
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