Event Analysis #4

Adriana Vicario

Maliciously, individuals may outcast others in response to not fitting within the social norm. In pieces of literature as “Tableau”, “Theology”, and Frankenstein, segregation is displayed through the characters and their response to individuality in culture. This can include isolation for those of separate race, actions, and appearance. Segregation has for years been a social obstacle and can be resolved if individuals were not to condemn others for the decisions they make. Attending meditation class on a weekly basis, I have come to focus on how importance should be focused on bettering oneself and not passing judgment on others. It may always be a social dilemma that occurs in life, but by truly accepting others for who they are, many negative outcomes can transform into positive ones.

In “Tableau”, by Countee Cullen, the principle of segregation is dominant through the relationship of the interracial couple. Segregation of race has been an issue that historically has brought an immense amount of obstacles for many people. Blacks and Whites were separated for years and lived separate lifestyles from one another. The slight interaction was enough to raise eyebrows from any witness. The thought of different races actually dating was something that was unheard of and certainly not done often. Of course times have changed however, these racial tensions can still be present in our everyday lives. This poem expresses how segregation may be even subtle at times but is in fact present. As the interracial couple carries on hand in hand, those who cannot accept their love are, “indignant that these two should dare in unison to walk”. These critical individuals strikingly glare at the couple as if they are not acceptable to be a part of society. Just the thought of the rejecting stares is a form of segregation that may not physically harm anyone but can leave severe mental scars of not being accepted by others.

In the poem “Theology”, by Paul Laurence Dunbar, the idea of segregation is shown in a different way as the first poem. Not only may different races be criticized or looked down upon, but our actions may also segregate us from one another. Our actions may direct others as to where we will end up in our lives. The poem expresses a message in which the speaker seems to view others in a condescending way. He starts off with acceptance by suggesting that there is a heaven in which his soul tells him so. However, he contradicts his own statement by then arguing that there is also a hell where he believes his neighbors will end up. This remark holds a critical connotation and leaves the reader to believe that the speaker is in extreme disagreement with the lives led by his neighbors. The reader is not included to know why the speaker holds such resentment towards his neighbors however; one can infer that segregation is a factor due to the separate category the speaker places himself in.

Intentionally passing judgment on another individual because of their appearance and unique behavior is another form of isolationism that may occur. In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, this form of segregation is shown through the character of the Creature in the novel. The Creature was brought into the novel by the character of Victor Frankenstein who longed to use his science skills to create another human being. In belief that this human could potentially become his friend, Victor created this Creature with such great enthusiasm. However, the end result was not what was to be expected. The Creature had a disturbing appearance and did not communicate the same as the average human did. Victor wanted nothing to do with this outcast creation and abandoned the Creature leaving him to fend for himself. This led the Creature to become resentful and angry because he never had anyone to accept him since the moment he came into the world. Victor selfishly allowed the uniqueness of his creation to keep him from accepting it. The Creature continued his path of anger and even resorted to murder. However, had Victor been there for the Creature from the start he could have put an end to the isolation as well as the terror the Creature had caused.

Segregation is purely a human reaction of not accepting something that may be out of the norm. It is vital to become at peace with the decisions others make because one cannot choose the lifestyle of another human being. Despite our differences in this world, you can meditate to achieve harmony within oneself. Once you have this harmony you tend to be open to however it is others choose to carry out their own lives.

Event Analysis 4

Event Analysis 4

            Shelley’s Frankenstein, Dunbar’s “Theology,” Cullen’s “Tableau,” and Shakespeare’s, “Titus Andronicus” all explore the roles of power and the unforeseen negative outcomes that influence either the speaker or the audience as a result.  Power plays an important role in each piece of work because it helps to show who is in control and helps to foreshadow the ultimate outcomes of the situation.  Power can have either positive or negative connotations.  Often power can lead to deception and misunderstandings because the speaker or protagonist might be trying to hide something that is less than apparent to the reader or audience.

            In Shelley’s Frankenstein, the protagonist Frankenstein, experiences a struggle between a positive image of himself and a negative seemingly ugly image of himself.  Frankenstein comes from a blessed family with parents who had, “the very spirit of kindness and indulgence, (19)” and whose love was “finite”(19).  Despite Frankenstein’s good social standings, he at first struggles with direction in life because of his father’s disapproval of his passion for natural philosophy and his disconnection with friends.  However, after Frankenstein’s parent’s approval of him becoming a student at the University of Ingolstadt, Frankenstein gains a better sense of his own will power and self-efficacy.  While at the university, Frankenstein befriends two teachers that have significant influence on him and show him examples of natural philosophy as well as chemistry that are only the most important.  Frankenstein becomes more independent and free-willed as a student.  However, his sense of power and control leads him to his ultimate downfall, the creation of the monster.  Frankenstein’s sense of power and dignity is completely transformed after the moment he realizes the ugliness of the monster and the responsibility he has for its creation.  Frankenstein out of guilt and confusion keeps the monster a secret from his colleagues and loved ones.  However, he slowly realizes that the monster is slowly taking control of his life and specifically affecting the lives of his loved ones.

            Similarly “Titus Andronicus,” one of Shakespeare’s first plays on revenge, illustrates how power can ultimately corrupt a group of people and lead to unexpected negative outcomes.  In the play, Titus Andronicus, the emperor, struggles throughout the play to understand his role for his people and for his own family.  Over the course of the play, unexpected tragedies occur, which trigger disbelief and built up anger in Titus.  Titus, unlike Frankenstein, begins with complete control over his people.  However, he slowly looses his role as emperor through people’s acts of deception, greed and a cycle of revenge.  The closing scenes of the play help to illustrate the corruption and acts of revenge that each person is somehow involved in.  Interestingly, every person in the play was a woman.  Perhaps, the all women roles were chosen to show how even though women are sometimes silenced, they really do have more power than men.  Ultimately, Titus must deal with his own daughter, Lavinia, being raped and having her tongue and hands removed.  He chooses to remove his own hand out of complete disbelief and revenge on her rapists.  The most tragic and eye opening part of the play is when Titus kills Lavinia himself in order to release her of her pain and sorrow of self-mutilation and her husband’s murder. 

               In Dunbar’s “Theology,” the speaker expresses his power through his ability to show his religious views in a humorous and witty way.  In the first three lines, the speaker expresses his belief in heaven and the ability of his soul to prove that existence.  The tone appears to be positive and optimistic.  However, there is a shift in the poem in lines 4, 5 and 6.  The speaker expresses his belief in hell, however he claims that if hell did not exist than, “where would my neighbors go?(5).”  Here, the speaker is being humorous about the more serious way people usually look at their religion.  However, the speaker decides to stand up for what he believes in and wants people to lighten up about hell. 

            In Cullen’s “Tableau,” Cullen, through the use of a tableau, illustrates the prevalence of racial segregation between the “dark folk,(5)” and “fair folk (6).”  The opening line of the poem, “Locked arm in arm they cross the way, the black boy and the white, (1)” sets the scene and mood for the rest of the poem.  Throughout the poem there is a tension between the, “dark folk(5)” and the, “fair folk (6)” as they observe the two children walking together.  Throughout the poem, Cullen uses of words of light and darkness.  For example in line 3, the speaker describes, “the golden splendor of the day”(3) and in line 4, the speaker describes, “the sable pride of night (4).”  These contrasting images help show how both light and dark are powerful, just like the two children are equally in power and are powerful despite the “indignant”(6) feelings towards them.    

Blog 4

Katerina Pappas

English 101.17

February 28, 2013

Tragedy

            “Frankenstein,” by Mary Shelly is a book about the relationship between Elizabeth and Victor, as well as Victor’s obsession with science. The poem “Theology,” by Paul Lawrence is a poem about how there is a heaven and must be hell as well. “Tableau,” by Countee Cullen is about a relationship that is not usually seen and is socially observed. The event of Titus Andronicus is a play by William Shakespeare about the fourteen deaths and the tense relationships between one another. These works all together speak about the relationships between people whether they are good or bad.

            In “Theology,” by Paul Lawrence the poem reveals the idea that there is a heaven and hell as well. He says, “there is a hell I am quite sure; For pray if there were not, where would my neighbors go?” (Lawrence, 3-4) What this says about the speaker is that he probably was not very close with his neighbors because he thinks they are going to hell where as he speaks about going to heaven. Likewise in “Titus Andronicus” by Shakespeare, there is a hostile tension between Titus and Tamara. It is seen when Titus kills her oldest son, and Tamara seeks revenge upon him. The hostile relationship is seen when she kills his sons (not all of them), sends her sons to rape his daughter Lavinia and he ends the play by getting rid of her sons and her.

            “Tableau,” by Countee Cullen is a poem that speaks about a relationship that is not seen often or not socially accepted which brings curiosity from the neighbors. “From the lowered blinds the dark folks stare/Indignant that these two should dare in unison to walk,” (Cullen, 5, 8, 9) reveal the idea that it is not acceptable. In this poem the relationship is strong, because as it says in the poem, “They pass, and see no wonder That lightning brilliant as a sword Should blaze the path of thunder.” (Cullen, 9-12) The light symbolizes strength in the poem and is being compared to a sword that in general has its own power. Like wise in “Frankenstein,” there is a relationship between Elizabeth and Victor, but not as close as the couple in Cullen’s poem. However there is also a light in “Frankenstein,” that symbolizes both good and bad. The light shows Victor’s knowledge but at the same time expresses the secrecy and how dangerous it could be. This relationship with Victor and science is an obsession and it leads him to separate himself from everyone else.

            All the works represent a different form of a relationship. In “Frankenstein” it is the science and Elizabeth. The “Theology,” and Titus Andronicus have to do with their neighbors and the tension between them. “Tableau,” and “Frankenstein” both have a light in their relationship but in Tableau the light is strong where as in “Frankenstein” it could be both good and bad. 

Event Analysis 4

“Tableau” by Countee Cullen, “Theology” by Paul Laurence Dunbar, and ‘Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley all relate to our society today and how we as human beings treat each other. Each reading teaches a different lesson, but nonetheless, an important that the leaders at Acts4Youth are trying to teach to the boys to help them with their life skills.

“Tableau” by Countee Cullen shows the how two boys are able to completely over look the racial line set by people before them and this will hopefully be a point the boys at Acts4Youth will be able to pick up too.  The two boys in the poem are “Locked arm in arm they cross the way, The black boy and the white.” (Pg. 489) The two boys, one who is white and the other black, are seen walking down the street together. We realize though, that this is not accepted behavior in the society they live in. “From lowered blinds the dark folk stare, And here the fair folk talk,” (Pg. 489) the black people hide behind the blinds and stare at the two boys, while the white people gossip about what they are seeing. Even though this is all happening, the boys continue to walk, “oblivious to look and work, they pass and see no wonder,” (Pg. 489) They have no idea what is happening around them and continue on as if it is only just the two of them. These two boys are able to break they racial barrier that is ever present in society and this is something that the leaders in Acts4Youth are trying to show to their students. They are teaching their students too look past what is shown on the outside and what society is trying to beat down on the youth. The hope is for the boys to create and keep relationships with people even if they do not look the same or share the same culture. They hope to break the barriers set by those before us and like in the poem, be oblivious to what judgments others are putting out and have connections with people on a deeper level than just appearance.

“Theology” by Paul Laurence Dunbar shows religion portrayed in a humorous and relaxed view and though religion is something you should take seriously and many people are very strict about their religion. Dunbar is able to loosen the regular view on religion and this relaxation is taught to the boys in Acts4Youth. The poem makes fun of religion in notable but subtle way. Most people take religion very seriously and Dunbar is able to give a breath of fresh air by adding a comic affect to this poem. It is almost like he is trying to tell the religious communities to lighten up a little bit and learn how to take a joke, which is very important for the boys in Acts4Youth to learn. Taking what other people say too seriously plays a big factor as to why the students become angry. I have seen this happen when I am at the Guilford school. One student will say something to another, and even though it is a joke, it still stirs up emotions in the student and causes issues between the boys. They are still young and learning, but this will play a big part in their lives once they move to middle school and have to deal with older and meaner students.

In “ Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, appearance plays a large role in what happens to the characters of the novel and relates to society now and how we treat each other. The monster is a classic example of someone being shunned out of society because of his or her appearances.  The poor monster, which was created by Victor, has feelings and just wants to be accepted and loved. This is something we see now more than ever and we see how judgmental everyone in our society has become. At Acts4Youth, they teach the boys to treat everyone the way they would want to be treated and accept people even if they are different. Just because someone acts or looks different does not mean they are unequal to you. They hope the boys will learn to be open to building friendships with those of different cultures and races.

Event Analysis 4 TVS

                I went to see Titus Andronicus performed by the Evergreen Players.  This play is the cycle of revenge between an old Roman General, Titus Andronicus, and the Queen of the Goths/Empress of Rome, Tamora.  Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, “Theology” by Paul Laurence Dunbar, and “Tableau” by Countee Cullen all have the theme of ignorance and its unexpected consequences.  Titus Andronicus shows how the ignorant acts of every character in the play led a long cycle of revnge and death.  In particular, Titus’s ignorance in believing that Tamora would not be able to take revenge for her son’s death, ignorance of Lavinia running away to her lover caused Tamora to gain the power to strike back at Titus, and Tamora’s ignorance that Titus would not then strike back, thus staring the cycle over again.  Frankenstein shows the ignorance of a very intelligent young man who believes not that he should have the right to usurp God’s authority over life, but must because he cannot deal with the loss of his love ones.  Because of his ignorant belief that he could overcome everything with knowledge, it led to his death by the fruit of his ignorance.  “Theology” can be seen in a light hearted and humorous light or a serious light, for the sake of this discussion I will use the serious outlook.  In this outlook, it seems to champion the idea that religion, or at least fanaticism in religion, is the greatest for of ignorance.  This is easily related to the fact that if Titus was not a fanatic of his religious beliefs, he would have never sacrificed Tamora’s son and this cycle of death never would have begun.  Finally, “Tableau” show the positive side of ignorance in that it allows us to move forward instead of looking back.  The ignorance of youth present in the two children within this poem allows them to coexist unlike their older counterparts. This relates to the fact that if Titus stayed ignorant about who raped his daughter, then he might have been able to move on from this feud with Tamora, but his daughter, for her own sanity, revealed her rapists, which was the straw that broke the camel’s hump in regards to Titus’s sanity.  These works all are strung together with the idea that ignorance can both help us in moving forward and towards a better tomorrow, but also hold us in the dark past. 

Recognizing Contrariety

Recognizing Contrariety

            The challenges people face during interactions include overcoming first impressions and then up keeping relationships. Frankenstein in the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelly, Titus in the play “Titus Andronicus” by William Shakespeare, as well as the speakers is the poems “Theology” by Paul Laurence Dunbar and “Tableau” by Countee Cullen deal with the struggles that result from impressions and situations that are foreign to their own. With their current mindset they have difficulty adapting and are forced to make realizations and change their thinking accordingly.

            The harmony of races in the poem “Tableau” by Countee Cullen is the instigating factor for tension between whites and blacks. A white boy and a black boy decide to be friends but the deeper meaning lies in the deep-rooted hatred by their races. In the second stanza “from lowered blinds the dark folk stare” and the white people speak to each other that “these two should dare In unison to walk.” The two boys know they are walking a dangerous path in the middle ground between the races. They know they are being judged but continue with love and this fosters a friendship. In the poem “Theology” by Paul Laurence, the speaker is also at a middle ground finding himself caught in a debate as to if there is a heaven and a hell. He is pulled by his feelings and beliefs that there is a heaven. He has a hope because he believes himself to be on the course to that higher place. This is made certain as he explains that hell is the place designed for his neighbors. As a black person, his neighbors that are destined for hell could be whites. As a peaceful man of god, he may be inclined to view the hate dealt by another race as sinful and thus believes that hate will lead to damnation.

            Power causes one to become engrossed in oneself and miss out on the opportunities to view others in a light that they should be seen. In Frankenstein the narrator, Frankenstein is obsessed with acquiring knowledge and eventually the idea that he can bring the dead to life takes over his thoughts, so much so that he no longer writes home to the people he loves. Unfortunately, Frankenstein receives a shock when he adds the spark of life to his creation. He is overwhelmed by the hideous frame of a man and fails to even comprehend his accomplishments or test the creation for knowledge or abilities. He only believes in misfortune and cannot see past the surface of his creation. Yet this is a common theme. One word that occurs in the novel often is countenance, meaning expression or behavior. Frankenstein assumes much about his fellow characters from their countenances, including his professors and even his family. This theme is also present in the play “Titus Andronicus”. The characters are masks of their own countenances. In the beginning, the killing of Bassianus, lover of Lavinia, sets in motion the false pretenses and deception of the play. Soon lies are spun and the Andronici family cannot trust anyone but themselves. This mistrust through acts of dishonor is common until Tamora, queen of the Goths and Empress, decides to act as Revenge and visit Titus with her sons portrayed as Murder and Rape, thinking that Titus was mad. Instead, Titus flips the tables on the queen’s scheme and reverses the action against Tamora. The ability to see through the lies and determine truth is what makes Titus the hero of the story.

            In all, there are ways to gain and maintain trust. One is to not judge based on first impressions. Judgments are only made successfully when one such as Titus or the speaker in “Theology” has gained substantial knowledge of the studied person. In the case of the observers in “Tableau” and Frankenstein, they are biased based on their conformity to the rules of society around them. Anything that goes against these principles was foreign and therefore they distinguished them as something from which to steer away.  

           

Event Analysis #4

Stephen Sharpe

Event Analysis                    

Dr. Ellis

Responsibilities

            Having rights and responsibilities is part of being a human person. It is to be able to demand respect and to show respect to others. To be human is to know that you are valuable and that you have an important job to do. It is to acknowledge that you have rights to be upheld and a job to be worked. The Catholic social justice lecture entitled “Rights and Responsibilities” illustrated that human beings do have rights and responsibilities and the literary works “Frankenstein,” “Theology” and “Tableau” illustrate this as well.

            The lecture I attended focused on the fourth aspect of Catholic Social teaching, which is “Rights and Responsibilities.” The speakers at the event were young teens that are participating in a nonprofit organization called “Wide Angle Youth Media.” This organization puts the tools of film production in the hands of Baltimore’s youth so that they can tell their stories and be the powerful voice of change in their community. We watched several videos that the teens had made. One video titled “More than Jobs” focused on how there are very little job opportunities for the youth in Baltimore. Another video focused on how a teen had overcome self-doubt about his academic potential, and another focused on “food deserts” and recycling. Every video illustrated a problem that Baltimore has, and every video proved that there is a teen that is willing to take on the responsibility and face that problem.

            The teens in “Wide Angle Youth Media” have exercised their rights, and have acknowledged their responsibilities as citizens of Baltimore. However in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” the protagonist Victor seems to have done the opposite. After creating a hideous monster that escaped, Victor learns that his brother William was murdered. A woman named Justine was blamed and faced execution. However, Victor is convinced of her innocence and that his monster is the murderer. Clearly, Victor is faced with the responsibility of demonstrating Justine’s innocence. However, Victor remains silent and lets Justine die for fear that people will think that he is insane. However, Victor’s demonstration of irresponsibility is not limited to “Frankenstein.”

            In the poem “Theology” Dunbar falsely leads the reader into thinking that he is a pious person, until the last two lines reveal that he is judgmental. As a Christian, it is clear that the speaker is forging his responsibility to spread love to others. In a way, he is making himself God by condemning his neighbors to hell. It is clear that the speaker is not a responsible Christian. The theme of responsibility appears in another poem as well. In “Tableau” two boys of opposite colors walk side by side to the astonishment of the adults. In this poem, these boys are exercising their responsibility of working for solidarity with others. Unlike Victor and the Christian, but like youth in “Wide Angle Youth Media,” these kids  know that it is important to acknowledge their responsibilities.

            In conclusion, every human being has an important responsibility in life. The event I attended and the literary works demonstrate that some people acknowledge and uphold their responsibilities while others shrink away from them. It takes courage to be responsible, and it is something that the youth have, and something that Frankenstein and the Christian of the poem did not.