Hamlet Quote Log 4

“Muder most foul, as in the best it is, but this most foul, strange, and unnatural” (1. 5. 33-34).

            Hamlet receives his first chance to speak to the apparition which claims to be his father’s spirit. He tells Hamlet not only to assail Claudius, but to murder the man to avenge King Hamlet’s death. Since Claudius has usurped the position of king, Hamlet has been an emotional wreck. Unable to find compassion in his mother or uncle, the malicious ghost appears to be an emotional outlet for Hamlet. It could very well serve as his conscious, as he may be contemplating whether or not to avenge his father’s death. There is evidence that the apparition is real. Hamlet’s friends were not able to speak to the ghost but did very well see it.

Hamlet Quote Log 2

“My father’s spirit – in arms! All is not well. I doubt some foul play. Would the night were come! Till then, sit still, my soul. Foul deeds will rise, though all the earth o’erwhelm them, to men’s eyes” (39).

            The early impressions of Hamlet appear to be that he is the protagonist in which the reader is rooting for. The reader initially likes him for what has happened to his family. His uncle marries his mother following the death of his father and when Claudius does not seem to respect young Hamlet we admire him more. Claudius and Queen Gertrude reject Hamlet’s request to return to the University of Wittenberg and even after what has happened Hamlet respects their decision and does not put up a fight. Despite Claudius’ malicious acts, Hamlet refrains from assailing him. When told about the apparition of his father, Hamlet gets excited as does the reader for this loveable protagonist.

P + P Quote Log 15

“But at length, by Elizabeth’s persuasion, he was prevailed on to overlook the offence and seek a reconciliation; and after a little farther resistance on the part of his aunt, her resentment gave way, either to her affection for him, or her curiosity to see how his wife conducted herself; and she condescended to wait on them at Pemberley, in spite of that pollution which its woods had received, not merely from the presence of such a mistress, but the visits of her uncle and aunt from that city” (326).

            Lady Catherine’s approbation of Darcy’s marriage is the final obstacle that he and Lizzy had to overcome to achieve emotional justice. In terms of a traditional love story, Elizabeth and Darcy surely had their share of both personal and external faults to fight through. Although there were some patches of asperity, the two lovers found their way to each other in the end. Their triumph is truly remarkable due to the extent of faults in which they had to overcome. They had all the same as Jane and Bingley, which is perceived as a tough road to overcome. The extent to which they had to overcome these faults are also greater as Darcy is in a higher class than Bingley, making the class difference for substantial. This has followed the path of a traditional love story, as Elizabeth and Darcy have found felicity.

P + P Quote Log 13

“The contents of this letter threw Elizabeth into a flutter of spirits, in which it was difficult to determine whether pleasure or pain bore the greatest share. The vague and unsettled suspicions which uncertainty had produced what Mr. Darcy might have been doing to forward her sister’s match, which she had feared to encourage as an exertion of goodness to great to be the pain of obligation, were proved beyond their greatest extent to be true!” (273).

            Prior to reading Mrs. Gardiner’s letter, Elizabeth has given up a bit of hope in her quest of marrying Darcy. After everything that has happened she surmises that Darcy will no longer have interest in her. Her family embarrassed her, Wickham is now in the family, and she turned down Darcy’s proposal with iniquity. Elizabeth realizes now that she loves Darcy. She knows that he helped Lydia with her wedding which makes her fall even more in love with him. If he were to propose again she would say yes with alacrity. She only hopes that their love can overcome all the internal and external barriers.

P + P Essay 2

Brendan Tuma

Mr. George

World Lit G

02 March 2011

No Strings Attached

            The main plot of a romance concerns two people falling in love while overcoming hurdles to make the relationship work. Although there can be ample subplots to add to the story, the focus remains on the struggling love affair. There are certainly no shortages of exceptions to the rule but the general outline for a romance revolves around a man and woman. The characters are introduced in an initially awkward first encounter and must overcome a dislike of one another in order to make the relationship work. This statement is never more true than throughout the romantic comedy film No Strings Attached, starring Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman.

            Every romance introduces a round and flat character. The round character, in this case Kutcher, is the one who we understand and who is willing to make the relationship work. Portman, the flat character, is the one with the flaw who has to overcome it to complete the love story. Kutcher proves to be relatable, easy going yet hard working. He is the one who the viewer is shown more of throughout the beginning of the story so that the audience can better relate to him. The next step in setting up a romance is introducing the flat character. Portman comes onto the scene after the audience has already determined they admire Kutcher. Interest intensifies and it becomes clear that each will be able to subsist in the other’s life. It is easy to see what Portman admires in the amiable Kutcher because of our initial understanding of the round character. Having only seen Portman for a short period of time eventually makes the viewer question her alacrity to make the relationship work. The flat character’s flaw is the issue and must be overcome to make the relationship work. Kutcher shows much interest in Portman from the beginning. Initially owning a strictly physical attraction, Kutcher soon desires more from Portman. Portman’s flaw, as the viewer begins to learn, is her unwillingness to commit to a long term relationship. Having been scarred by her parents’ divorce she refuses to commit to Kutcher and thus creates the problem of the romance.

            It is standard in love stories, much like this one, for the audience to be rooting for the relationship to succeed. There is an idea in heartwarming stories that the good get rewarded and the evil get punished. If lovers fight for the relationship to succeed then they will be rewarded with unconditional love and emotional justice. Kutcher and Portman get torn apart by Natalie’s reluctance to continue. Apart for too long, each becomes unable to cope with the loss. The characters must experience great lows if they are going to be able to appreciate the highs. Friends of both characters provide assistance for the relationship to work. The flat character’s flaw must be overcome and by doing so, helps make the relationship work. The fact that Portman is willing to throw everything on the line, despite the fear of a bad breakup shows how much she actually loves Kutcher.

            The classic love story is designed to end in a way that makes the viewer feel good. This is done by showing that two lovers who risk everything are rewarded with eternal happiness. Kutcher takes Portman back after she decides that he is worth the risk and that is where the story ends. A romance typically ends at the scene where the lovers are reunited to show that they will go on to live happily ever after, giving the viewer a warm, fuzzy feeling.

            In terms of following a traditional romance, No Strings Attached fits the model perfectly. Commencing with the presentation of a round and flat character with an initial like of one another, a problem arises that keeps them apart. The problem is generally held by the flat character who must overcome what is constraining the lovers from being together. Friends and other characters provide comic relief while simultaneously providing support for the relationship. The climax of the book or movie must center on the love story, although other subplots can occur. The lovers that risk everything to tackle the struggle are able to overcome it to attain emotional justice. The flat character precipitates the renewed love, leaving the viewer filled with jubilation. No Strings Attached must be defined as a romance.

P + P Essay 1

Brendan Tuma

Mr. George

World Lit G

10 February 2011

Why First Impressions Matter

            The significance of a first impression can be made no clearer than by the events that take place in Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth, the protagonist, meets two characters by the name of Wickham and Darcy. Each of these characters’ traits gets amplified through their juxtaposition. Unfortunately Elizabeth is unable to notice this flaw in her and willfully misunderstands who Darcy is as a person. Commencing with a more than awkward first encounter and continuing through a series of unfortunate events, Darcy is unable to be anything more than a villain in the eyes of Elizabeth. Adding to the reader’s frustration of the situation is how Elizabeth appears to be rational in an irrational world, yet is unable to notice her mistake. Although Elizabeth only sees Darcy as a haughty, scornful rascal, he is actually just as rational as her and is quite modest in the way he carries himself.

            The downfall of Elizabeth’s misjudgment of Darcy began at her coming out ball. When Darcy was asked by Bingley if he would be interested in dancing with Elizabeth, Darcy described her as “tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me” (Austen 12). Although Darcy did not mean to affront Elizabeth, the amiable protagonist becomes unable to forgive him. Expecting a cordial gentleman Elizabeth’s view instantly changes for the worse. This is where the importance of a first impression first comes into play. Darcy is initially described as “haughty, reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well bred, were not inviting” (16). In Elizabeth’s mind Darcy becomes instantly written off as a potential husband. Elizabeth is seeking a love marriage and sees courting Darcy as only a mercenary marriage.

            Darcy’s undesirable traits become amplified when Elizabeth meets Wickham, a man eager to make a positive first impression. Wickham uses charm to induce Elizabeth into falling for him while reflecting a safe sense of probity. Elizabeth’s first meeting with Wickham goes well and she comes away feeling like she can trust him. Her thoughts and feelings are then described: “Jane listened with astonishment and concern; she knew not how to believe that Mr. Darcy could be so unworthy of Mr. Bingley’s regard; and yet, it was not in her nature to question the veracity of a young man of such amiable appearance as Wickham” (74). Trusting Wickham makes it easier for Elizabeth not to trust Darcy. She clearly trusts him a lot if she takes his word over her sister Jane’s. Hearing trustworthy Wickham’s account of his and Darcy’s past worsens Elizabeth’s misunderstand of Darcy. Combined with a poor first impression this leads Elizabeth to misunderstand Darcy for who he is.

            Darcy appears to be an insincere jerk but behind a cold exterior is a rational person who takes some time to get to know. Elizabeth is set on finding a love marriage and has no interest in Darcy’s money. When Darcy insults Elizabeth the first time they meet she automatically writes him off as a potential husband or even friend for that matter. Wickham’s stories about their past are only seen as true in Elizabeth’s mind because of her negative feelings towards Darcy. These events lead her to believe that Darcy is someone who he is not. Unfortunately for Darcy he will have to work extremely hard to convince Elizabeth otherwise.

Works Cited

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. New York: Signet Classic, 1980

P + P Quote Log 7

“But why Mr. Darcy came so often to the parsonage it was more difficult to understand. It could not be for society, as he frequently sat there ten minutes together without opening his lips; and when he did speak, it seems the effect of necessity rather than of choice – a sacrifice to propriety, not a pleasure to himself” (154).

            The once too haughty Mr. Darcy has been reduced to speaking to Elizabeth out of necessity. Similar to an awkward middle school boy seeking the attention of a girl, Mr. Darcy is speaking to Elizabeth just to speak to her without any reason. This could be an indication of him starting to fall in love with her. He is afraid to because of her low ranking in society and also that she is not into him. Elizabeth is seeking felicity. Darcy’s greatest attribute is his wealth so in order to get Elizabeth to marry him with alacrity he would need to get her to fall in love with him. This is problematic because of a very poor first impression he made when he refused to dance. Elizabeth clearly has not forgotten this because she brings it up earlier in the novel.

P + P Quote Log 4

“Jane listened with astonishment and concern; she knew not how to believe that Mr. Darcy could be so unworthy of Mr. Bingley’s regard; and yet, it was not in her nature to question the veracity of a young man of such amiable appearance as Wickham” (74).

            As the novel has developed is it clear that Elizabeth is the protagonist in which we are rooting for. Chapter seventeen outlines the first flaw we see in her which is her prejudice. Elizabeth has no problem questioning the veracity of Darcy due, probably in large part, to an awkward first encounter where he described her as “tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me”. On the other hand Elizabeth has no problem trusting Wickham who comes across as an affable gentleman. Wickham certainly has qualities that Elizabeth desires in a husband if she if willing to believe him even when her best friend and sister Jane tells her to question herself. Elizabeth gives Wickham the benefit of the doubt when it comes to probity which is a flaw that could lead to conflicts later on in the novel.

P + P Quote Log 1

“Mr. Darcy’s eyes were fixed on her. She hardly knew how to suppose that she could be an object of admiration to so great a man; and yet that he should look at her because he disliked her was still more strange” (45).

            As the novel develops Mr. Darcy finds himself in a curious predicament. He has come across as haughty and has yet to receive the approbation of Miss Elizabeth Bennett. Although Mr. Darcy knows marrying Elizabeth would lower his social standard he begins to feel compelled to do exactly that. As Mr. Darcy attempts to determine his feelings, Miss Bingley is trying to edge out the amiable Elizabeth. If indeed Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth express interest in one another it will contrast the proposed love marriage held by Mr. Bingley and Jane. Although a love marriage would be propitious for Elizabeth she may have to settle for a mercenary marriage if Mr. Darcy and his wealth continue to show interest.

The Alchemist Essay

Brendan Tuma

Mr. George

World Lit G

05 January 2010

The Alchemist: A Story About Life

            A fable is defined as an elementary moral story in verse or prose in which the characters are often simple peasants or animals demonstrating human foibles. To be considered a fable, The Alchemist, must meet these requirements. Paulo Coelho does this with his novel, sending the protagonist Santiago on a spiritual journey in order to discover himself. Santiago must overcome his dilemma of material possession versus spirituality and discover the reason for his campaign. Santiago’s profession as a shepherd makes him a simple peasant and although no animals demonstrate human foibles in this story, Santiago’s sheep assist in teaching him a lesson which is the objective of any well written fable. Commencing in Andalucía, Santiago travels across the desert to the pyramids of Egypt to discover what turns out to be his treasure. This is a story of personal growth and evolution, where a spiritual journey aids a young shepherd to realize his personal legend. Although there are many ways to analyze The Alchemist, the most appropriate is to view the story as one about life, with the moral being that if you can find happiness in yourself, you can be blissful when you possess nothing else.

            In order to understand that Santiago has recognized his lesson, it is essential to comprehend where he is coming from. Raised in a seminary until age sixteen, the boy chooses to quit becoming a priest and decides to pursue life as a shepherd. He is unable to find God in the seminary and decides to embark on a spiritual journey. Santiago proves to be a relatable character, desiring wealth, women, and travel. Santiago the shepherd is simple, peaceful, and nomadic.

He requires some assistance in determining his vocational calling. The King of Salem and Melchizedek offer their sagacious advice and Santiago decides to pursue his dream. The boy realizes he must embark on a journey. A fable requires an event to occur where a dilemma can take place. Santiago planning to travel to the pyramids to find his treasure is a decision that cannot be reversed. A wise Englishman explains, “Once you go to the desert, there’s no going back…And, when you can’t go back, you have to worry only about the best way of moving forward. The rest is up to Allah, including the danger” (Coelho 77). Santiago learns quickly that once you decide to pursue your dream, going back is not the same option anymore. This is one dilemma Santiago must resolve in order to find the moral of his journey, and he decides to chase his dream.

            According to the text, one’s dreams are very relatable to one’s Personal Legend. The King of Salem tells Santiago that a Personal Legend is “what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is” (21). The King of Salem continues to preach and tells Santiago what his Personal Legend is. He must find his treasure. A Personal Legend is relatable to every reader because it is what one sets out to accomplish in life. He is told from multiple sources to discover his Personal Legend. This is how Santiago embarks on his journey and it shows how different life can be depending on what direction we head in. Simple things such as choosing whether or not to go on a journey and encountering the King of Salem vastly change Santiago’s life. A relatable theme arises when Santiago develops a fear of failing.

            Fear is an emotion that drives Santiago’s journey. Santiago shows fear on more than one occasion. His overall fear of failing during his pursuit of his Personal Legend is most blatant, but he is also afraid to lose his possessions and afraid that he will be unable to turn himself into the wind. Eventually Santiago overcame his fear, turned himself into the wind, and realized “that he, a boy, could perform miracles” (152). The Alchemist helps Santiago overcome his fear and turns him into a believer. He is then able to believe that he can accomplish his Personal Legend. The text shows that those who do not overcome their fear are unable to achieve their Personal Legends. The crystal shop merchant fears making the voyage to Mecca because then he will have nothing to live for. Since he is incapable of overcoming his fear he will never succeed in his Personal Legend.

            The story makes it clear that Santiago has succeeded with his Personal Legend.  He has accomplished everything that he set out to do. The story commenced with a Sycamore tree growing in the middle of a sanctuary symbolizing new beginnings, new life, and wisdom.
A nervous shepherd used this new beginning to complete his Personal Legend and ends up as jubilant as can be. He originally asked God for money, travel, and wealth but discovered happiness in the Pyramids. He had to find his treasure to complete his goal. Optimistic Santiago became happy when “he laughed back, his heart bursting with joy. Because now he knew where his treasure was” (163). The determined boy had always been open to insight and finally had his moment of greatness. He was able to be blissful when he had nothing else.

            The Alchemist is a story about life with a strong moral that if you can find happiness within yourself, you can be divinely happy when you have nothing else. The story is constructed to show a journey of life through the use of various symbols. Coelho begins the story with the growth of a Sycamore tree in the middle of a sanctuary. This stands for new life, and represents the beginning of Santiago’s journey. His journey is to complete his Personal Legend, something everyone sets out to do in life. In order to succeed he must overcome fear, his background, and disbelief. These are all things that one must overcome to succeed in life. His journey is a relatable one. At first all he wants is women, money, and to be able to travel. Coelho’s moral at the end of the novel is that if you attempt your Personal Legend and find happiness in yourself, you can remain blithe when you have nothing else. His moral is what many strive for.

Works Cited

Coelho, Paulo. The Alchemist. [San Francisco]: HarperSanFrancisco, 1993.