The movie The Color Purple is more fast paced than the book. Furthermore, the movie leaves out certain details that the book does not. The book also gives more insight into Celie's feelings and growth. It also has a gloomy mood while the movie has humor in it. In the movie we do not see all of the characters turn into a happy civilized family. We see them as learning to be somewhat cordial to one another. The movie does not express the theme of forgiveness as much as the book does.
In the book Nettie's reason for leaving Celie differs. Sophia's time of leaving Harpo does as well. A major difference between the book and movie is that Sophia's difficulties are not completely told in the movie. They do not show the heist to get her out of jail or her relationship with Ms. Millie's children. Furthermore, in the movie Celie and Mr. do not set aside their differences. Neither do her and her stepfather. We also do not learn of Nettie's relationship with the stepparents of Celie's children in the movie. The movie overall leaves unanswered questions while the book does not.
I greatly enjoyed reading the novel. It gave a different perspective of the well known movie. It filled some of the holes within the movie. It also gave description of Celie's feelings over the situations she faced. If I were in Celie's shoes I would not be able to handle all the things she did. Celie is a very strong individual and sets a positive example for all the readers of the book. The messages the book gives off are very important. They teach you to never give up, and that there will always be someone there to love you. They also teach people to always believe in God's plan. I would recommend everyone who watched the movie to read the book to get a deeper understanding of the project as a whole.
Sunday, April 29, 2018
Saturday, March 10, 2018
Letter to Ralph Ellison
Dear Mr. Ellison,
Though your book Invisible Man was made years ago, the messages given off by it is still relatable today. One message still relevant is judgement of people based off of one individual of that race. Their are stereotypes in each race in today's society. However, the stereotypes are no longer the ones in your book. Black people are now seen as violent gangsters or ghetto, white people are seen as bland or unstable, and there are now stereotypes for others such as Arabians, and Chinese people. In your book you show that one bad action of and individual automatically makes their entire race or gender look bad through Jim Trueblood, and in today's society sadly that is still true.
Another message still relevant is inferiority of African Americans. Though we have made great progress, their is still many problems faced today. African Americans have to work harder to be seen as a serious business person. They also still have to cater to the wealthy white people. It is very easy for a black person to get a bad reputation because of the way they treat white people, their careers could be ended. Furthermore, black people can do more and still not get as much pay or attention as a white person would. I feel as though these problems are impossible to fix because they stem from past morals. Sometimes one must learn to accept things and do all they possibly can with the limitations received, which you also portray in your book through Mr. Bledsoe. I do thank you for making such a powerful book with powerful messages.
Sincerely,
Jim'Miya Wright
Though your book Invisible Man was made years ago, the messages given off by it is still relatable today. One message still relevant is judgement of people based off of one individual of that race. Their are stereotypes in each race in today's society. However, the stereotypes are no longer the ones in your book. Black people are now seen as violent gangsters or ghetto, white people are seen as bland or unstable, and there are now stereotypes for others such as Arabians, and Chinese people. In your book you show that one bad action of and individual automatically makes their entire race or gender look bad through Jim Trueblood, and in today's society sadly that is still true.
Another message still relevant is inferiority of African Americans. Though we have made great progress, their is still many problems faced today. African Americans have to work harder to be seen as a serious business person. They also still have to cater to the wealthy white people. It is very easy for a black person to get a bad reputation because of the way they treat white people, their careers could be ended. Furthermore, black people can do more and still not get as much pay or attention as a white person would. I feel as though these problems are impossible to fix because they stem from past morals. Sometimes one must learn to accept things and do all they possibly can with the limitations received, which you also portray in your book through Mr. Bledsoe. I do thank you for making such a powerful book with powerful messages.
Sincerely,
Jim'Miya Wright
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Invisible Man Chapter 7
1. The vet uses a metaphor in order to tell the narrator to see things the way they really are; to see that he was not the a friend of the wealthy and high classed.
2. The vet is telling the narrator to control his own fate. He is telling him to make his own rules and decisions instead of letting others do it for him.
3. The narrator alludes to the story of Jonah in the bible. He feels as though coming to Harlem is him being thrown up from the belly of a whale.
2. The vet is telling the narrator to control his own fate. He is telling him to make his own rules and decisions instead of letting others do it for him.
3. The narrator alludes to the story of Jonah in the bible. He feels as though coming to Harlem is him being thrown up from the belly of a whale.
Invisible Man Themes and Analysis
Themes:
- Judgement- because an important part of the book deals with the true relationship between black and white people, judgment is very important. The narrator judges people off of their level of intelligence and their relations with the rich white men, while he himself is judged off of the way he treats the rich white men.
- Deception- though it is not completely obvious, there is deception within the characters. Though the narrator and Dr. Bledsoe do not agree with everything said or done by Mr. Norton, they put on as if they do. Their only focus is making sure that they are seen as loyal men, though that is not really true.
- Suffering- it has not yet been shown in the narrator's flashback story, however the narrator is suffering while telling it. He explained that he sees himself as invisible and worthless now, and while telling the story he gives commentary on the thoughts and actions he regrets.
"I, Too"
The time of this story was complicated because black people were transitioning from being slaves by force to slaves by choice. In the poem, Langston was stating that soon he would be able to be around white people as a guest instead of a server, and that is also the narrator's goal in the book. The poem relates to the theme of judgement as well because both Langston and the narrator are attempting to be judged differently by white people. They want to be seen as a friend rather than a assistant.
"Refugee in America"
The poem explains that though Langston is free, he has no liberty. This is also true for the narrator in the story. He is free and can now be around white people as a associate, but he has restrictions on what he can say or do. He is not seen as their equal and neither is Langston. The poem relates to the theme of deception because the white people want black people to believe that they are free and have gotten everything they wanted, though in reality they still have nothing.
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Invisible Man Chapters 4,5,& 6
Chapter 4
1. Because of the previous events, the narrator sees the college campus just as he saw the road. What he once saw as beautiful was now threatening.
2. The narrator blames Trueblood for the entire series of events, and he blames the people at Golden Day for causing more traumatic events for Mr. Norton.
3. Old plantation manor houses were owned by rich white people but ran by slaves. The college is similar to one because the trustees are highly viewed there yet the school is for black people.
4. Dr. Bledsoe achieved power by gaining acceptance from white people. He did not completely disregard black people, but he was not largely focused on getting their acceptance.
5. The mirror symbolizes the alter ego Dr. Bledsoe and the narrator puts on for white people. They hide their inner feelings and focus only on making Mr. Norton and other white people happy. The aquarium symbolizes the progress that black people had made during that time. Though Dr. Bledsoe was higher classed, he still was seen as a servant to white people.
Chapter 5
1. The rhetorical argument is based off of ethos because the narrator portrays the trustees, who are all wealthy white men, as people who see the black students as items on display because they have some form of value.
2. The tone for the two paragraphs is pessimistic because the narrator degrades everything he explains with sarcasm.
3. The italicized passage shows the narrator's thoughts about the situation in the present time. He is reflecting on his mistakes while telling the story of his past.
4. The narrator stated that though Dr. Bledsoe was smaller than the trustees by rank, he was bigger than them by presence and reputation.
5. Rev. Barbee alludes back to slavery times and the struggles encountered.
6. The Founder's death was seen "as a birth" because his school and teachings began to flourish.
7. The word black symbolizes the mood during the Founder's death, the mood of the narrator at the time, and the mood of the story altogether. There are many dark moments described during the story. Black is more about the feeling of darkness rather than actual skin color.
8. Rev. Barbee's blindness portrays ethos because he has experienced a lot of traumatic and sad things and now can no longer see.
8. The narrator sees a mockingbird perched on the Founder statue and a beautiful sunset while leaving the chapel.
Chapter 6
1. Dr. Bledsoe's posture is relaxed when the narrator first enters the meeting.
2. Dr. Bledsoe is so angry because Trueblood's situation and Golden Day made black people look bad as a whole; it made Bledsoe seem inferior.
3. Just like the narrator's grandfather, Bledsoe caters to the white people and in the end tries to become one of them.
4. The narrator emphasizes his shock of being called a nigger by Bledsoe by continuously referring to the word as "that".
5. The narrator stated that during the handshake Bledsoe's hand was strangely limp which shows that he knows the narrator will have a hard journey.
1. Because of the previous events, the narrator sees the college campus just as he saw the road. What he once saw as beautiful was now threatening.
2. The narrator blames Trueblood for the entire series of events, and he blames the people at Golden Day for causing more traumatic events for Mr. Norton.
3. Old plantation manor houses were owned by rich white people but ran by slaves. The college is similar to one because the trustees are highly viewed there yet the school is for black people.
4. Dr. Bledsoe achieved power by gaining acceptance from white people. He did not completely disregard black people, but he was not largely focused on getting their acceptance.
5. The mirror symbolizes the alter ego Dr. Bledsoe and the narrator puts on for white people. They hide their inner feelings and focus only on making Mr. Norton and other white people happy. The aquarium symbolizes the progress that black people had made during that time. Though Dr. Bledsoe was higher classed, he still was seen as a servant to white people.
Chapter 5
1. The rhetorical argument is based off of ethos because the narrator portrays the trustees, who are all wealthy white men, as people who see the black students as items on display because they have some form of value.
2. The tone for the two paragraphs is pessimistic because the narrator degrades everything he explains with sarcasm.
3. The italicized passage shows the narrator's thoughts about the situation in the present time. He is reflecting on his mistakes while telling the story of his past.
4. The narrator stated that though Dr. Bledsoe was smaller than the trustees by rank, he was bigger than them by presence and reputation.
5. Rev. Barbee alludes back to slavery times and the struggles encountered.
6. The Founder's death was seen "as a birth" because his school and teachings began to flourish.
7. The word black symbolizes the mood during the Founder's death, the mood of the narrator at the time, and the mood of the story altogether. There are many dark moments described during the story. Black is more about the feeling of darkness rather than actual skin color.
8. Rev. Barbee's blindness portrays ethos because he has experienced a lot of traumatic and sad things and now can no longer see.
8. The narrator sees a mockingbird perched on the Founder statue and a beautiful sunset while leaving the chapel.
Chapter 6
1. Dr. Bledsoe's posture is relaxed when the narrator first enters the meeting.
2. Dr. Bledsoe is so angry because Trueblood's situation and Golden Day made black people look bad as a whole; it made Bledsoe seem inferior.
3. Just like the narrator's grandfather, Bledsoe caters to the white people and in the end tries to become one of them.
4. The narrator emphasizes his shock of being called a nigger by Bledsoe by continuously referring to the word as "that".
5. The narrator stated that during the handshake Bledsoe's hand was strangely limp which shows that he knows the narrator will have a hard journey.
Friday, March 2, 2018
Invisible Man Chapter Review
Chapter One
1. The second paragraph alludes back to slavery times and the history of our ancestors.
2. The narrator's grandfather was telling him to kill the white people with kindness. Be completely submissive to them until it hurts them.
3. Booker T Washington was both an American educator and an advisor to presidents. The narrator's viewing is significant because he is very educated and enjoys serving important white men as well.
4. The naked blonde was a tease in a way. The narrator knew he could not neither look away or stare so he felt very uncomfortable.
5. No one can fully understand anything. Though the narrator enjoys his relationship with white people and it is seen as okay, he also feels ashamed because he knows that it isn't right in some way.
Chapter Two
1. The road symbolized the different paths that people went down in life.
2. The narrator sound the statue as both uplifting and stabilizing however it meant more when it was dirty.
3. The diction and syntax used to describe the trustees shows that they are very wealthy and praised upon because of it.
4. Mr. Norton's initial description alludes back to a book about true educated human beings.
5. The narrator feared the sleeping farmer because he was not an intellectual white man. The narrator feels more connected to them, rather than people who do not find great interest in education.
6. Mr. Norton's enthusiasm is strange because it is for his daughter.
7. The statement foreshadows the situation of Trueblood and its uniqueness.
8. The narrator dislikes hearing Jim's story, yet Mr. Norton is very intrigued by it.
9. Trueblood has a candid tone while telling the story of his incest to the narrator and Mr. Norton; it is as though he is not ashamed.
10. The black community was ashamed of it and would not let Jim explain himself but the white community began to praise him.
11. The wife was planning on getting her sister to give both her and her daughter an abortion.
12. His actions does not surprise the white community because they expect things like that from the black people, however the black community knows that what he did was rare and immoral.
13. Mr. Norton gives Trueblood the money because he feels some form of sympathy for him and his family.
1. The second paragraph alludes back to slavery times and the history of our ancestors.
2. The narrator's grandfather was telling him to kill the white people with kindness. Be completely submissive to them until it hurts them.
3. Booker T Washington was both an American educator and an advisor to presidents. The narrator's viewing is significant because he is very educated and enjoys serving important white men as well.
4. The naked blonde was a tease in a way. The narrator knew he could not neither look away or stare so he felt very uncomfortable.
5. No one can fully understand anything. Though the narrator enjoys his relationship with white people and it is seen as okay, he also feels ashamed because he knows that it isn't right in some way.
Chapter Two
1. The road symbolized the different paths that people went down in life.
2. The narrator sound the statue as both uplifting and stabilizing however it meant more when it was dirty.
3. The diction and syntax used to describe the trustees shows that they are very wealthy and praised upon because of it.
4. Mr. Norton's initial description alludes back to a book about true educated human beings.
5. The narrator feared the sleeping farmer because he was not an intellectual white man. The narrator feels more connected to them, rather than people who do not find great interest in education.
6. Mr. Norton's enthusiasm is strange because it is for his daughter.
7. The statement foreshadows the situation of Trueblood and its uniqueness.
8. The narrator dislikes hearing Jim's story, yet Mr. Norton is very intrigued by it.
9. Trueblood has a candid tone while telling the story of his incest to the narrator and Mr. Norton; it is as though he is not ashamed.
10. The black community was ashamed of it and would not let Jim explain himself but the white community began to praise him.
11. The wife was planning on getting her sister to give both her and her daughter an abortion.
12. His actions does not surprise the white community because they expect things like that from the black people, however the black community knows that what he did was rare and immoral.
13. Mr. Norton gives Trueblood the money because he feels some form of sympathy for him and his family.
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Huckleberry Finn Reflection
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was about Huck discovering life on his own. When the book first began, Huck stated that he did not wish to become civilized. However, once he ventured off on his own he did exactly that. Through Huck's journey with Jim he learned more about himself and the world. During his adventures, Huck gained compassion and manners. Being around Jim so much helped him realize that everyone has feelings and that he should be mindful of that. Being around the Duke and King helped him realize that good people should not be took for granted and that he should not always speak what he is thinking. Though Huck learned a lot of good things, it did not stop him from doing bad ones. However, he began to do the things because he needed to instead of because he wanted to. It is not possible for everyone to be good all the time, and Huck shows us the reason why through his journey.
Huck was not the only one who learned a lot through the story, I did as well. I learned that Huck was overall a good boy who was just free spirited. I also learned that Huck looked up to Tom so much because of his family background. He saw him as an example of how to act because he came from a stable home, unlike Huck. Jim was a vulnerable man because he was very kind. However, if he were to act rude and stubborn in the story then him and Huck would not have ended up with better lives. Lastly, Tom uses his imagination to make his life an adventure everyday. Because Tom has such a stable family, he life is dull. Therefore, he attempts to create adventures on his own. Huck, Jim, and Tom are all good in their own ways, yet they become something great together.
Huck was not the only one who learned a lot through the story, I did as well. I learned that Huck was overall a good boy who was just free spirited. I also learned that Huck looked up to Tom so much because of his family background. He saw him as an example of how to act because he came from a stable home, unlike Huck. Jim was a vulnerable man because he was very kind. However, if he were to act rude and stubborn in the story then him and Huck would not have ended up with better lives. Lastly, Tom uses his imagination to make his life an adventure everyday. Because Tom has such a stable family, he life is dull. Therefore, he attempts to create adventures on his own. Huck, Jim, and Tom are all good in their own ways, yet they become something great together.
Monday, January 15, 2018
Quotations Analysis
1. "Forever is composed of nows."
In order to have something forever you must first have it now. Due to the fact that now symbolizes the present and forever symbolizes from the present to the future. The future gradually becomes the present every day, which explains how the nows, or present days, creates forever.
2. "That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet."
It may sometimes seem bad that days cannot be relived, but it has its benefits. The fact that you must continue life without being able to go back in time and alter things gives you the opportunity to grow as a person and have better experiences. It makes life spontaneous and worth it.
3. "If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain."
Helping others gives off a great feeling. Just knowing that you were able to make another person happy or help them in a great way automatically makes you feel like a better person. Emily feels that as long as she helped one person feel better then her life was complete.
4. "If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can ever warm me, I know that is poetry."
The most popular books and movies are popular because of the feelings they gave their audiences. In Emily's eyes, if a book was able to take grasp of her emotions, by making her feel deeply saddened, angry, or happy, then it was a great book.
5. " This is my letter to the world
That never wrote to me"
Though Emily feels as though the world never really heard her or helped her, she still left her mark on it. She may feel as though she was a outcast in the world and that is why it never wrote to her.
6. " Saying nothing sometimes says the most"
Actions speak louder than words. Therefore the act of saying nothing is more of a reaction than actually speaking. Furthermore it shows more intelligence because you are able to control your reactions.
7. " I dwell in possibility..."
Life is full of possibilities, therefore each person is full of them. Emily felt as though she was consumed in them, and that could have been both a good and bad thing. Each possibility creates another one, and the cycle continues.
8. "Nature is a haunted house--but Art--is a house that tries to be haunted."
Nature is seen as effortless art while art that is created attempts to look effortless. The inconsistency of nature is what makes it beautiful, and since art is planned it is not as beautiful as nature.
9. " Parting is all we know of Heaven,
and all we need of Hell."
When someone passes away we automatically assume that they are going to heaven. Though the thought of that makes us happy, the realization that we loss someone close to us deeply hurts and we sometimes find it hard to get through it.
10. " I have been bent and broken, but -I hope- into a better shape"
Hope is a powerful thing. Most times having hope in bad situations helps you get through them. Though things have hurt and broken Emily she uses her hope to build herself back up.
11. " in this short life
that only lasts ah hour
how much-how little-is
within our power."
Since life is considered short you should do everything possible while you're alive. You should test your boundaries to see exactly how far you can go. Things only become impossible when you give up on accomplishing them.
12. " Whenever a thing is done for the first time, it releases a little demon."
Once you gain the courage to do something for the first time and do it successfully, you have no problem doing it again. This is because the thought of doing it no longer scares you, it instead makes you feel courageous and powerful. In the end you will continue to do that thing, whether it is good or bad.
13. " To shut your eyes is to travel."
Your imagination can take you anywhere. Their is no boundary on what you can imagine and how realistic it may seem. You could do everything you've always wanted to do by just closing your eyes and imagining it.
14. "open me carefully"
While it might be good to have someone open up to you, it could also have some bad consequences. Opening up to someone means complete trust of that person. It also creates vulnerability and attachment because you officially know that person. Therefore you should be careful when it comes to being open with someone.
15. "Till I loved I never liked enough."
In Emily's opinion if she didn't gain love for something or someone then she never truly liked it. This could be because if you truly like something then your feelings should continue to grow towards it. If you do not really like something then the feelings cannot grow because you have no effort to keep it in your life.
In order to have something forever you must first have it now. Due to the fact that now symbolizes the present and forever symbolizes from the present to the future. The future gradually becomes the present every day, which explains how the nows, or present days, creates forever.
2. "That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet."
It may sometimes seem bad that days cannot be relived, but it has its benefits. The fact that you must continue life without being able to go back in time and alter things gives you the opportunity to grow as a person and have better experiences. It makes life spontaneous and worth it.
3. "If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain."
Helping others gives off a great feeling. Just knowing that you were able to make another person happy or help them in a great way automatically makes you feel like a better person. Emily feels that as long as she helped one person feel better then her life was complete.
4. "If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can ever warm me, I know that is poetry."
The most popular books and movies are popular because of the feelings they gave their audiences. In Emily's eyes, if a book was able to take grasp of her emotions, by making her feel deeply saddened, angry, or happy, then it was a great book.
5. " This is my letter to the world
That never wrote to me"
Though Emily feels as though the world never really heard her or helped her, she still left her mark on it. She may feel as though she was a outcast in the world and that is why it never wrote to her.
6. " Saying nothing sometimes says the most"
Actions speak louder than words. Therefore the act of saying nothing is more of a reaction than actually speaking. Furthermore it shows more intelligence because you are able to control your reactions.
7. " I dwell in possibility..."
Life is full of possibilities, therefore each person is full of them. Emily felt as though she was consumed in them, and that could have been both a good and bad thing. Each possibility creates another one, and the cycle continues.
8. "Nature is a haunted house--but Art--is a house that tries to be haunted."
Nature is seen as effortless art while art that is created attempts to look effortless. The inconsistency of nature is what makes it beautiful, and since art is planned it is not as beautiful as nature.
9. " Parting is all we know of Heaven,
and all we need of Hell."
When someone passes away we automatically assume that they are going to heaven. Though the thought of that makes us happy, the realization that we loss someone close to us deeply hurts and we sometimes find it hard to get through it.
10. " I have been bent and broken, but -I hope- into a better shape"
Hope is a powerful thing. Most times having hope in bad situations helps you get through them. Though things have hurt and broken Emily she uses her hope to build herself back up.
11. " in this short life
that only lasts ah hour
how much-how little-is
within our power."
Since life is considered short you should do everything possible while you're alive. You should test your boundaries to see exactly how far you can go. Things only become impossible when you give up on accomplishing them.
12. " Whenever a thing is done for the first time, it releases a little demon."
Once you gain the courage to do something for the first time and do it successfully, you have no problem doing it again. This is because the thought of doing it no longer scares you, it instead makes you feel courageous and powerful. In the end you will continue to do that thing, whether it is good or bad.
13. " To shut your eyes is to travel."
Your imagination can take you anywhere. Their is no boundary on what you can imagine and how realistic it may seem. You could do everything you've always wanted to do by just closing your eyes and imagining it.
14. "open me carefully"
While it might be good to have someone open up to you, it could also have some bad consequences. Opening up to someone means complete trust of that person. It also creates vulnerability and attachment because you officially know that person. Therefore you should be careful when it comes to being open with someone.
15. "Till I loved I never liked enough."
In Emily's opinion if she didn't gain love for something or someone then she never truly liked it. This could be because if you truly like something then your feelings should continue to grow towards it. If you do not really like something then the feelings cannot grow because you have no effort to keep it in your life.
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