Oedipus Part 3

Some light reading...

Read pgs. 1490- the top of pg. 1495 (don't read "Antigone's Flaw"). The
reading should comprise four different critical perspectives on tragedy
and Oedipus. Post a BRIEF entry on whichever article you find most
compelling and why you find it compelling.

Have a great weekend!

I found two articles that were the most compelling because they provide a more introspective level of thought on humanity, in general, and ourselves, personally. I found Sigmund Freud's The Destiny of Oedipus very enjoyable because he gives a rational assumption as to why there are stories that 'move' us; that they reflect our primal instincts. That stories move us because they may have been ours. I wonder... is that why Harry Potter and Twilight so famous? Because the former reflects our childhood ignorance/imagination and the latter, forbidden/eternal love? The Oedipus and Electra complexes are referred to in his criticism; it brings a whole new meaning to "Daddy's girl" or "Momma's boy." I believe there is a correlation there or else why would the phrases be popular? Oedipus serves to reflect the other side of who we are. We, according to Freud, have learn to detach ourselves from our sexual impulses which can be compared the philosopher I cannot recall about having two sides to a person: a rational and an emotional side. And it is our choice which to live by. Oedipus, like us, have chosen to repressed (rather unconsciously or not) these wishes due to Nature and in doing so, we should just forget about our childhood. 

In E.R. Dodds' On Misunderstanding Oedipus, Dodds sees Oedipus' greatness not from his position, but in his inner strength to take responsibility in his acts no matter the costs and in pursuing the truth despite the cost. He represents the human need to know. Because we're curious creatures. Heck, it takes a lot of self-control not to be curious. Oedipus would have been a great journalist exposing the horrors human trafficking and government corruption. It's too bad he had to go blind himself. It also brings to mind why happiness is often correlated with ignorance and anger/sadness/cynicism with truth and this article supports it in saying that happiness is an illusion. “Nothing Will Come of Nothing” Isa kai to meden zosas enarithmo. 

In a more broader scale, I believe both criticisms allude that personal conflicts of a person. It seems that there's an internal struggle in who we really are and how we would like to be perceived as. If you want to see who a person truly is, let him wear a mask. Are we true to ourselves or do we live to the expectations of others? And if we are open and honest, can we ever truly be loved? Can we find the courage to release our deepest secrets? Or in the end are we all unknowable even to ourselves

Oedipus Rex Part 2

Finish reading the last 12 pages of Oedipus. Answer questions 1, 3, 5-9,
and 11-12 on pgs. 1434 of your textbook. Post the answers AND a theme
statement on your blog.

We will discuss the play and the questions tomorrow in class. Be prepared
to write first thing, though...


1. How explicitly does the prophet Tiresias reveal the guilt of Oedipus? Does it seem to you stupidity on the part of Oedipus or a defect in Sophocles' play that the kin takes so long to recognize his guilt and to admit to it?
Tiresias explicitly stated the guild of Oedipus; that he is, indeed, the murderer. It is stupidity on the part of Oedipus because he behaves just as any arrogant fool might have. The accusation seems so outlandish and it causes a cognitive dissonance within himself. He takes so long to recognize his guilt and to admit it because he needs tangible evidence and time to process it.

3. "Oedipus is punished not for any fault in himself, but for his ignorance. Not knowing his family history, unable to recognize his parents on sight, he is blameless; and in slaying his father and marring his mother, he behaves as any sensible person might behave in the same circumstances." Do you agree with this interpretation?
A sensible person, in my opinion, is very subjective. Then again, it clearly stated "might behave." Otherwise, I do agree with the quote. His hubris could have easily lead him to victory if it weren't for the tragic irony and he could have lived life without knowing the consequences of having an inflated ego. 

5. Consider the character of Jocasta. Is she a "flat" character - a generalized queen figure - or an individual with distinctive traits of personality? Point to speeches or details in the play to back up your opinion.
She is generally a flat character. not necessarily a generalized queen figure, but more of a wife/mother figure obviously. She nurtures Oedipus, ironically. That is her personality traits and afterwards, that's probably all that's worth mentioning.  

6. What is dramatic irony? Besides the example given on page 732, what other instances of dramatic irony do you find in Oedipus the King? What do they contribute to the effectiveness of the play?
Dramatic irony is, for lack of better words, an irony that is apparent  in the story and to the audience but not to the characters. Other instance of dramatic irony is when, I suppose, Oedipus accuses Creon of treason or when we learn about Oedipus' prophecy. Oh! And his name itself, definitely. We know ahead of time and observe how the character makes choices that just makes their circumstances worse.

7. In the drama of Sophocles, violence and bloodshed take place offstage; thus, the suicide of Jocasta is only reported to us. Nor do we witness Oedipus' removal of his eyes; this horror is only given in the report by the second messenger. Of what advantage or disadvantage to the play is this limitation?
It allows us to focus more on the social ramifications which would be undermined if violence was in the forefront. Conversely, violence would give us a greater sense of engrossment.


8. For what reason does Oedipus blind himself? What meaning, if any, do you find in his choice of a surgical instrument?
Oedipus blinds himself because he cannot live to see the physical anymore. It brings him too much pain. His wife/mother is dead and he's afraid his daughters will be shunned due to his incestuous marriage and them being the by-products of it. He can't live with himself to see what gloom the future brings because he doesn't think it'll be all rainbows and butterflies. I can't find any meaning in his choice of using his wife's/mother's golden pins from her dress to stab his eyes for I am ignorant. Gold is valuable. It's belongs to his wife's/mother's. Yep.

9. What are your feelings toward him as the play ends?
I pity him because of his genetic ties which couldn't be helped. His hubris didn't help either, but it's as though he could not escape this fate. His doom wasn't purely caused by his choices. Besides, what type of person would accept ignorance or no for an answer? Curiosity certainly killed the cat.

11. With what attitude toward the gods does the play leave you? Be inflicting a plague on Thebes, by causing barrenness, by cursing both the people and their king, do the gods seem cruel, unjust, or tyrannical? Does the play show any reverence toward them?
Initially, the gods do seem cruel, unjust, and tyrannical. Its as if they're implementing those misfortunes for their personal enjoyment. Y'know, they need to pass the time since they're immortal and what's better that some drama amidst? If humans go jolly through their lives that would be boring and in time, they take that for granted. It is sublime to suffer and be stronger. It's time to test humans' nature and let them know their place in existence. I think there is a reverence towards them. They didn't forcefully enforce their ideals; they manipulated the people, or specifically, Oedipus. All the rest was up to the person's choice. Oedipus chose to learn about his face. If he had just listened to Tiresias and remained ignorant, he would be going through his life in his merry way.

12. Does the play end in total gloom?
I would say yes. Your leader just gouged out his eyes; you find out he has an incestuous relationship with his mother... all these revelations that just leads to worse circumstances. You have a new leader: Creon. Will be he better or worse? Your family and your friends are dependent on a leader and right now, you need their help to save you from your current problems, but they have their own personal problems. Thebes just seem doomed now. It's time to rack up your things and live a frugal life in the woods and be one with nature.

Oedipus Rex

Good to see you guys again!


Read pgs. 1375-1404 of Oedipus Rex.


Post an entry on your blog about tonight's reading. Address the ways in
which this text compares to other texts we've read and the degree to which
hamartia, catharsis, and pathos have been elements in the play so far.


If everybody blogs, there will be NO reading quiz.


Brandon - Send me the link to your blog BEFORE class.


This text compares to other texts we've read in that the main character(s) all seem to have a tragic flaw; a seemingly harmless "little" flaw that ultimately leads the character to their utter demise. Raskolnikov? His pride, pomposity, whatever. The man? His optimism, whatever. Suttree? His need to find meaning in his existence, whatever. Yet this one characteristic is what ultimately drives their whole being and decide for them. It seems that in almost every character they seem to think they transcend others and then become condescending individuals filled with arrogance.  


Oedipus' hamartia is his his hubris. This is obvious when we confronts Tiresias about the truth only to be declined because Tiresias believes that the truth will only pain. After all, igorance is bliss, right? Well, ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of the law. We can see why Oedipus wants to know the truth, but we also see the dramatic irony that he himself that he's searching for. Which also brings to mind that he is searching for himself - his true identity, which in this case, comes at a great cost. Initially, it is his pride that figuratively blinds him from the objective truth and accusing Tiresias and Creon of treason. Speaking of Creon, that whole plight plays well for his hand because though he initially showed indications of no interest in power, he almost accepts the position with no doubt following Oedipus' downfall. In Antigone, he becomes just like Oedipus in that he succumbs to his power. It almost seems that Creon did commit treason probably flawlessly but became a victim of destiny itself. It was as if he thought he could play the Gods in their own game. 


Oedipus' catharsis occurs when he meets the two Shepherds, more specifically, when he meets the latter Shepherd, who he learns the truth from and has a revelation: that he killed his father and married his mother. I suppose the true catharsis occurs when he gouges his eyes after witnessing the suicide of his wife/mother where he literally loses his sight yet figuratively gains a new ability: insight. Just like Tiresias. In the end, he ascends into a higher form of being, in a sense. He doesn't even occupy himself with the pain associated with the gouging of the eyes. 


In terms of pathos, I suppose we can give Oedipus pity for the initial portrayal of his character: a true leader. He genuinely cared for his people unlike most of the senators today and especially most of the republican presidential candidates. C'mon, we all new Bachmann wasn't going to win anyway. She and Perry have been transformed into internet memes. Afterwards, however, Oedipus loses our sympathies when he commits accusations of treason against Tiresias. All in all, I think drama is just what it is: drama. A common problem blown up out of proportion due to some flaw. Besides, if there were no drama; it wouldn't be all that exciting, right? There are some people who would love to witness a fight in school due to the drama associated with it yet they don't want to participate in it albeit they criticize drama.  So hypocritical, but aren't we all? We're human. 


"It is well, when judging a friend, to remember that he is judging you with the same godlike and superior impartiality."

Heart of Darkness: Part 2

Hey guys-

I've read a portion of the day's essays...they're better than you would
have led me to believe. Have some confidence in yourselves!

Finish reading Heart of Darkness over the weekend. Look over the "Hero's
Journey" notes I gave you and the list of archetypal symbols. Blog a
semi-brief entry describing which archetypal elements appear prominently
in the text. Also discuss to what degree the novel adheres to, and
diverges from, the archetypal hero's journey. If you feel like looking up
the Wikipedia entry on Dante's Inferno, that would only help you better
understand Conrad's narrative structure.

There's still six people who need to blog last night's entry (one line
from the first half of the novel, discussed in terms of significance).
Please do so. If more than one half of the class doesn't blog a new entry
over the weekend, then there will be a penalty...to be determined.

HAVE A FABULOUS WEEKEND!


The most obvious archetypal symbol would be the title itself, "Heart of Darkness" in which "Darkness (or Black)" represents chaos, mystery, the unknown, death, wisdom, evil and melancholy. We can assume that Marlow looks that the Africans as an inferior race and that Africa, in general, is an uncivilized, chaotic, yet mysterious and unknown, place. 


The "Call to Adventure" is Marlow going to Africa. "Crossing of the first Threshold" would be when he reaches and witnesses Africa in all its glory. There is no "Woman as the Temptress" because there is a lack of women. He doesn't refuse to leave Africa ("Refusal of the Return"). He tries to make sense of everything when he returns to England ("The Crossing of the Return Threshold").


In relation to Dante's Inferno, Marlow first states that it seems like he is traveling to the center of the Earth. When he reaches Africa (like how Dante traverses Hell), he goes through encounters much like how Dante goes through the nine circles of hell, each generally one of the seven sins. Marlow experiences most, if not all, of the aspects of each sin. 

Heart of Darkness: Part 1

"It's queer how out of touch with truth women are! They live in a world of their own and there had never been anything like it and never can be. It is too beautiful altogether, and if there were to set it up it would go to pieces before the first sunset. Some confounded fact we men have been living contentedly with ever since the day of creation would start up and knock the whole thing over." (12)

So far there have been a lack of women in the novels we've read (besides Jane Eyre and Wide Sargasso Sea) who aren't portrayed as contemptuous... yet again. I chose this line (or paragraph) because it is very applicable in more than one sense. The narrator could be assumed to be christian because he is European and his use of "day of creation." He probably supports what the Bible has to say like "I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet" (1 Timothy 2:12). Oh, the Bible had quite some humor. He views women as a narrow-minded sex who never bother to look beyond their own concerns and what not and are incapable of that. And if that were to even happen, their understanding of the world would be shattered. Yet, the narrator, a white man heading to Africa, will most likely act in the same manner in which he perceives women. He will become the narrow-minded because he will refuse to understand African culture and will undermine them because he will believe his culture is imperialistic. So far, it is he who has lived in his own world and this is his first time heading to Africa.

Wide Sargasso Sea: Part 2

The point-of-view changes to Rochester's perspective. Rhy does this to show us what Rochester is thinking and for us to decide for ourselves whether or not Rochester deserves the sympathy he did in Jane Eyre. We're also guranteed that the story told so far throught Big Bertha's narration is not a skewed interpretation of her self-pity. In that, we get to see from a third-person point-of-view of Big Bertha and how she is viewed. We feel more sympathy for us as she tells her story to Rochester.This is now Rochester's story.
Bertha tells Rochester that if she were to die, she would want to die now when she is happy and would he be willing to murder her because she's confident that he'll be the person taking her happiness away. Rochester now feels obligated for her happiness and if he leaves her, she'll be correct. If he stays, she'll be happy but he'll be miserable. Only a truly self-serving selish person would decide to leave. If Rhys or Bronte allowed him to leave her; they'll be supporting the stigma of humans on that we are all innately selfish.

Wide Sargasso Sea: Part 1

Hey guys. Long time, no e-mail!

Read part 1 of Wide Sargasso Sea (approx. pg. 56) for tomorrow. Blog about
your reading with pertinent questions about the story's structure,
point-of-view, characterization of Bertha (or Antoinette, as you will), or
connections between the text and Jane Eyre.

Also, look up the terms "Marginalization" and "Post-Colonialism" on good
ole Wikipedia. Be prepared to discuss in the latter half of class.

If everyone blogs, no quiz. If more than one person blogs, then there will
be a quiz. Cool?

See you tomorrow.

If it isn't another seemingly depressing novel! Jane Eyre was the only book we've read that had a happy ending. Jane and Big Bertha have many similarities in their childhood, the most obvious is that they are alienated and secluded. Conversely, they have many differences due to their similarities. Jane never succumbed to conformity nor compromised her sense of righteousness -- she was a feminist. She could be compared to today's notion of an "independent woman." Jane is more fierce and dominating whereas Big Bertha is more innocent and subservient. She does nothing when her friend cheats her of her pennies and her clothes and then gets a rock thrown on her forehead! On her first day of school, after the house inferno incident, she gets picked on and yet does nothing then she goes and cries! I don't recall Jane crying as pathetic as that. I'm sure Jane would have fought back just as she did to John and Mrs. Reed (verbally).

The readers will unequivocally gain a immense sympathy for Big Bertha's life. She is a victim of racism and social status; her mother had a mental illness; she has no friends; people don't like her; and her brother dies. For a young child, she has experienced many things people experience within a lifetime. Readers who've read Jane Eyre know what lies in her future. She is obliviously seeing her future through her mother's. She ultimately never finds happiness and no one will ever love her; she will only become a nuisance. Interestingly, I am looking forward to the story because it has many deep and profound meaning towards it. Mainly, how Big Bertha will act toward her mother as her disorder worsens and how she is going to react if she discovers that the woman, who is her mother that is slowly becoming a stranger, is who she'll be in the future. It is as if you have discovered the day that you will die and with that knowledge, decide what to do with your time because you realize how short it is.