Where do we see seduction and lust start to destroy Gawain, our young hero? What is the author trying to tell us?
Gawain has stated that he might be mentally weak as he says, " I am the weakest, well I know, and of wit feeblest" (line 354). By saying "of wit feeblest", Gawain is stating that he is susceptible to temptations and has lustful desires because he is not experienced enough to overcome them on his own. As he is saying this, Gawain is signing his fate by taking on the Green Knight's challenge, which may lead him to his death. The nest incident is when he is having a secret affair with the host's wife “as each tends his affairs and those two tend their own" (1018-1019). Knights are to live by a code, but his lust for women has forced him to break a lot of these codes, namely chastity. As soon as this affair is done Gawain has to face a challenge with host and "all you have earned you must offer to me" (1107). If Gawain loses he has to offer everything he has taken and concludes all he has taken is the Hosts wife, which he can never pay back.
The author is trying to tell us to live a good wholesome and chaste life. As long as we follow God and remain pure of heart the more we benefit. Do not fall into your temptations or else you will be punished sooner or later.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Chivalric Code
1. When you like a girl you should never come out too strong or awkward. You should compliment her or help her carry her books. And try to make her laugh, girls love comedy.
2. After you develop a friendship with the girl you like, make sure you have her number so you can chit-chat and get to know each other better. If you see her in the hallway say hey or give her a hug.
3. When asking a girl out have some confidence, never show any sign of weakness.
4. If the girl rejects you then you have to move on, DO NOT BECOME A CREEP WHO STALKS HER AROUND, what's done is done; but you should try to keep the friendship. Just because you cannot get a relationship does not mean you have to lose a friendship.
5. If the girl you like does want to go out with you do not seem too eager. Be cool, calm, and collective.
6. Now that you are dating, never let your women boss you around. You are the man and the men always wear the pants in the relationship.
7. Before your first date, go through a checklist: make sure you smell nice, make sure your breath does not smell, and check to see that your zipper is up. Trust me, these may be basic things but forget one of them and you may find yourself single in no time.
8. For the first date be kind, courteous, and have good table manners. Pull out her chair, hold the door for her, and walk her to her front door. After the first date, these things become more optional. Since you got the girl you do not need to try so hard anymore.
9. Make sure the conversation does not get boring and make sure it does not focus only on you. Remember you are on a date where both people contribute. Ask about her life and get to know her own a personal level. If she starts to talk much and you feel like cannot pay attention anymore, then you do not have to. Just keep nodding your head as she is talking and when she stops say, you agree with her. Girls like that.
10. Most importantly, when you are on a date with your girl, even if it's the first date make sure you both pay 50/50. Men are not made out of money and she should not think like that. Women have always fought for equal rights but when it comes to the check, it is the man who suffers.
2. After you develop a friendship with the girl you like, make sure you have her number so you can chit-chat and get to know each other better. If you see her in the hallway say hey or give her a hug.
3. When asking a girl out have some confidence, never show any sign of weakness.
4. If the girl rejects you then you have to move on, DO NOT BECOME A CREEP WHO STALKS HER AROUND, what's done is done; but you should try to keep the friendship. Just because you cannot get a relationship does not mean you have to lose a friendship.
5. If the girl you like does want to go out with you do not seem too eager. Be cool, calm, and collective.
6. Now that you are dating, never let your women boss you around. You are the man and the men always wear the pants in the relationship.
7. Before your first date, go through a checklist: make sure you smell nice, make sure your breath does not smell, and check to see that your zipper is up. Trust me, these may be basic things but forget one of them and you may find yourself single in no time.
8. For the first date be kind, courteous, and have good table manners. Pull out her chair, hold the door for her, and walk her to her front door. After the first date, these things become more optional. Since you got the girl you do not need to try so hard anymore.
9. Make sure the conversation does not get boring and make sure it does not focus only on you. Remember you are on a date where both people contribute. Ask about her life and get to know her own a personal level. If she starts to talk much and you feel like cannot pay attention anymore, then you do not have to. Just keep nodding your head as she is talking and when she stops say, you agree with her. Girls like that.
10. Most importantly, when you are on a date with your girl, even if it's the first date make sure you both pay 50/50. Men are not made out of money and she should not think like that. Women have always fought for equal rights but when it comes to the check, it is the man who suffers.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Essential Question 2
Discuss the biblical allusion and religious symbolism in Beowulf.
In this portion of the epic poem Beowulf, there are a few religious aspects to take notice of in this story. The author uses these religious aspects to make connnections to God and give more depth to the text. Plus, the reader may be able to relate more to the text because of its biblical allusions and make the story more manageable. This can be seen when the author describes Beowulf's fight,"and had not holy God granted him victory; the wise Lord, Ruler of the heavens...hero had scrambled to his feet" (1537-1540). As in any epic battle of a hero hBewulf struggles at first, but his devotionto God gave him the strength to get up and fight. So religion is crucial in this poem because it is what drives warriors to fight for what they beleive in.
In this portion of the epic poem Beowulf, there are a few religious aspects to take notice of in this story. The author uses these religious aspects to make connnections to God and give more depth to the text. Plus, the reader may be able to relate more to the text because of its biblical allusions and make the story more manageable. This can be seen when the author describes Beowulf's fight,"and had not holy God granted him victory; the wise Lord, Ruler of the heavens...hero had scrambled to his feet" (1537-1540). As in any epic battle of a hero hBewulf struggles at first, but his devotionto God gave him the strength to get up and fight. So religion is crucial in this poem because it is what drives warriors to fight for what they beleive in.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Essential Question 1
There are many social obligations of a hero in the epic poem, Beowulf. These obligations would be, loyal, adventurous, brave, leadership, strong, and ambitious. A hero feels obligated to help others, whoever they may be. A true hero always follow through on their promises, and never goes back on their word. Beowulf says that he,"can council Hrothgar" to "overcome the fiend" (lines 274-275).Here he vows to help Hrothgar vanquish the evil, and the tone in which he speaks in causes Hrothgar's thane to believe in Beowulf. A hero is someone the people can count on, just like how Hrothgar is now counting on Beowulf.
People have said that Beowulf is very strong and powerful; he "has the might of thirty men" (line 378). He may not fear any man but I do not think he is aware of his deification process; he is just brave and has a willingness to help others. I do not think he considers himself a God, he just knows he is the only one who can help Hrothgar to defeat Grendel. And he still waits for the approval of "superiors" before he helps while a God would just do as he pleases.
People have said that Beowulf is very strong and powerful; he "has the might of thirty men" (line 378). He may not fear any man but I do not think he is aware of his deification process; he is just brave and has a willingness to help others. I do not think he considers himself a God, he just knows he is the only one who can help Hrothgar to defeat Grendel. And he still waits for the approval of "superiors" before he helps while a God would just do as he pleases.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Pride and Prejudice Essay
Love is the only thing worth fighting for
Matrimony is like a flame about to light a candle. If you try to rush to the candlestick, your flame will burn out with ease. If you put too much pressure behind the lighter your flame will raise, but will burn out before you reach the candle. It is up to you to find the perfect balance so that the flame will not burn up. That flame represents love. If your flame is huge it will over shadow your lover and will not lead to a great marriage if one person is more in to the marriage than the other. If your flame is too small your feelings for your partner are based on nothing. With no base your marriage will fan out. If you have found that one flame which can last forever then you have found the flame of love. In the novel Pride and Prejudice, there are many different perspectives of marriage. In a prudent marriage, you are only getting married because it will benefit both partners; there is no love just contentment. In a mercenary marriage, a person is only in it for the money or other selfish rewards. Austen is stating that a marriage based on love is the only marriage that will make you happy and last a lifetime.
A prudential motive is a marriage based on practical common sense. There is nothing you find appealing in your partner, but you have reasons on getting married. This marriage lacks the infinite passion that love brings; it only has logical motives that make sense in the both of you getting married. The author points out by having Mr. Collins demonstrate a typical proposal of a prudent marriage to Elizabeth:
“My reasons for marrying you are, first, that I think it is the right of every clergyman in easy circumstances to set the example of matrimony in his parish…I am convinced it will add greatly to my happiness...that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honor of calling patroness” (Austen 101).
Mr. Collins deeply lacks passion in his proposal. He did not once speak of Elizabeth and how it may or may not greatly increase her happiness. He only talks about how it will help him in life because every clergyman should marry. The esteem Lady Catherine thought it would be a good idea for Mr. Collins to marry Elizabeth. Collins only states how he is going to love and never explicitly states how he will love Lizzy.
Unlike her best friend, Charlotte just wants to married and a sense of security in knowing she has finally gotten married. She knows that she is not handsome, so she is desperate and willing to marry anyone who proposes to her. Charlotte “without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage has always been her object” (117). Charlotte wants to secure her lasting happiness. She just wants to live in a big estate, in a quaint little village, and wealth. As long as she has all of these possessions she will remain content and safe. She will never know the effects of true happiness that comes from of loving marriage. Charlotte has sacrificed her feelings for society’s views of happiness.
With no feelings in the relationship, the flame begins to flicker before it reaches the alter. With no genuine love between the partners, the flame is too weak to survive in the world. The flame snuffs out and shall never ignite again; as long as the relationship remains in prudency.
A mercenary motive is a motive that pertains to money or other rewards beneficial to one partner; love has nothing to do with it. This motive is just like a mercenary paid to accomplish one thing only, nothing else matters. Just like a mercenary people who are involved in this motive accomplish that one thing, but will soon lead a vexed life as they now have nothing to live for or look towards for the rest of their lives. Wickham is an example of this kind of motive as he elopes with Lydia. He cannot marry a girl without money because he cannot afford. He is not willing to sacrifice to reach happiness. All he wants is to be free of debts. When Darcy pays off all his debts and sets him up for a job, Wickham feels obliged in marrying Lydia because he can still get more money by marrying her. In the beginning Wickham had no intention to marry Lydia but just like a mercenary he was solely in it for the money. Wickham realizes the facts “that there elopement was on by her own strength of her love rather than by his” (295). Lydia now loves Wickham but he does not feel the same way. Now for the rest of his life he has to live with an overbearing wife who will nag him about loving her, for the rest of his days.
With one feeling of love, the flame is huge but it will over shadow your lover and will not lead to a great marriage if one person is more in to the marriage than the other. Since there is no balance there is no connection between the partners. As there is no balance within the flame it will become unstable and burst into nothingness.
A motive based on love is what will lead to a true life of happiness. This is what everyone in our society today wants to achieve. They want a marriage based on love that can be shared for a lifetime. To truly achieve this happiness someone has to be willing to sacrifice for the other. That is what our society is failing to realize, if no one is willing to sacrifice than they cannot have the marriage they always wanted.
Darcy and Bingley are perfect examples of people willing to sacrifice themselves for what they believe in; both of them had suffered to fall in love. Bingley has disappointed his sister by loving and marrying someone who is below the social hierarchy. Bingley loved Jane enough to be ridiculed by his family and to have his social status tarnished. He believes that Jane is worth all of this and more proving he would do anything just to be with Jane. Darcy seems to disappoint a lot of people as well. Darcy has proposed to Lizzy and got rejected, has always stayed humble and has never done any mercenary deeds. Darcy goes against his aunts word, Lady Catherine, who hade forbade him to interact with Lizzy. And then sucks in his pride to propose again to Lizzy. He has gone through so many hardships only to be related to the person to Mr. Wickham. Plus Darcy has plummeted down the social chain, because he has suffered so much he can now reap the benefits by having “the one” girl who was meant for him. This true happiness can be seen when Elizabeth says, “I am happier even then Jane; she only smiles, I laugh” Austen (355). Elizabeth states how happy she is and how Darcy makes her feel complete.
When one has sacrificed so much for the relationship and both lovers are happy with one another and feel the burdens of each other; that is when this motive can be called love. There have been turmoil in the relationship and plenty of laughs along the way. They are marrying for way more than personal gains and are feeling far from content, when they are around each other. Like a flame, this perfect balance can be made and shared with the world. Without a flicker of doubt or hesitation, the flame makes its way to the church’s alter. When the flame is set upon the candle; it changes from a flame into a roaring fire burning brightly so that the world can see the effects of true love. As the two lovers join together in holy matrimony.
Matrimony is like a flame about to light a candle. If you try to rush to the candlestick, your flame will burn out with ease. If you put too much pressure behind the lighter your flame will raise, but will burn out before you reach the candle. It is up to you to find the perfect balance so that the flame will not burn up. That flame represents love. If your flame is huge it will over shadow your lover and will not lead to a great marriage if one person is more in to the marriage than the other. If your flame is too small your feelings for your partner are based on nothing. With no base your marriage will fan out. If you have found that one flame which can last forever then you have found the flame of love. In the novel Pride and Prejudice, there are many different perspectives of marriage. In a prudent marriage, you are only getting married because it will benefit both partners; there is no love just contentment. In a mercenary marriage, a person is only in it for the money or other selfish rewards. Austen is stating that a marriage based on love is the only marriage that will make you happy and last a lifetime.
A prudential motive is a marriage based on practical common sense. There is nothing you find appealing in your partner, but you have reasons on getting married. This marriage lacks the infinite passion that love brings; it only has logical motives that make sense in the both of you getting married. The author points out by having Mr. Collins demonstrate a typical proposal of a prudent marriage to Elizabeth:
“My reasons for marrying you are, first, that I think it is the right of every clergyman in easy circumstances to set the example of matrimony in his parish…I am convinced it will add greatly to my happiness...that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honor of calling patroness” (Austen 101).
Mr. Collins deeply lacks passion in his proposal. He did not once speak of Elizabeth and how it may or may not greatly increase her happiness. He only talks about how it will help him in life because every clergyman should marry. The esteem Lady Catherine thought it would be a good idea for Mr. Collins to marry Elizabeth. Collins only states how he is going to love and never explicitly states how he will love Lizzy.
Unlike her best friend, Charlotte just wants to married and a sense of security in knowing she has finally gotten married. She knows that she is not handsome, so she is desperate and willing to marry anyone who proposes to her. Charlotte “without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage has always been her object” (117). Charlotte wants to secure her lasting happiness. She just wants to live in a big estate, in a quaint little village, and wealth. As long as she has all of these possessions she will remain content and safe. She will never know the effects of true happiness that comes from of loving marriage. Charlotte has sacrificed her feelings for society’s views of happiness.
With no feelings in the relationship, the flame begins to flicker before it reaches the alter. With no genuine love between the partners, the flame is too weak to survive in the world. The flame snuffs out and shall never ignite again; as long as the relationship remains in prudency.
A mercenary motive is a motive that pertains to money or other rewards beneficial to one partner; love has nothing to do with it. This motive is just like a mercenary paid to accomplish one thing only, nothing else matters. Just like a mercenary people who are involved in this motive accomplish that one thing, but will soon lead a vexed life as they now have nothing to live for or look towards for the rest of their lives. Wickham is an example of this kind of motive as he elopes with Lydia. He cannot marry a girl without money because he cannot afford. He is not willing to sacrifice to reach happiness. All he wants is to be free of debts. When Darcy pays off all his debts and sets him up for a job, Wickham feels obliged in marrying Lydia because he can still get more money by marrying her. In the beginning Wickham had no intention to marry Lydia but just like a mercenary he was solely in it for the money. Wickham realizes the facts “that there elopement was on by her own strength of her love rather than by his” (295). Lydia now loves Wickham but he does not feel the same way. Now for the rest of his life he has to live with an overbearing wife who will nag him about loving her, for the rest of his days.
With one feeling of love, the flame is huge but it will over shadow your lover and will not lead to a great marriage if one person is more in to the marriage than the other. Since there is no balance there is no connection between the partners. As there is no balance within the flame it will become unstable and burst into nothingness.
A motive based on love is what will lead to a true life of happiness. This is what everyone in our society today wants to achieve. They want a marriage based on love that can be shared for a lifetime. To truly achieve this happiness someone has to be willing to sacrifice for the other. That is what our society is failing to realize, if no one is willing to sacrifice than they cannot have the marriage they always wanted.
Darcy and Bingley are perfect examples of people willing to sacrifice themselves for what they believe in; both of them had suffered to fall in love. Bingley has disappointed his sister by loving and marrying someone who is below the social hierarchy. Bingley loved Jane enough to be ridiculed by his family and to have his social status tarnished. He believes that Jane is worth all of this and more proving he would do anything just to be with Jane. Darcy seems to disappoint a lot of people as well. Darcy has proposed to Lizzy and got rejected, has always stayed humble and has never done any mercenary deeds. Darcy goes against his aunts word, Lady Catherine, who hade forbade him to interact with Lizzy. And then sucks in his pride to propose again to Lizzy. He has gone through so many hardships only to be related to the person to Mr. Wickham. Plus Darcy has plummeted down the social chain, because he has suffered so much he can now reap the benefits by having “the one” girl who was meant for him. This true happiness can be seen when Elizabeth says, “I am happier even then Jane; she only smiles, I laugh” Austen (355). Elizabeth states how happy she is and how Darcy makes her feel complete.
When one has sacrificed so much for the relationship and both lovers are happy with one another and feel the burdens of each other; that is when this motive can be called love. There have been turmoil in the relationship and plenty of laughs along the way. They are marrying for way more than personal gains and are feeling far from content, when they are around each other. Like a flame, this perfect balance can be made and shared with the world. Without a flicker of doubt or hesitation, the flame makes its way to the church’s alter. When the flame is set upon the candle; it changes from a flame into a roaring fire burning brightly so that the world can see the effects of true love. As the two lovers join together in holy matrimony.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Mrs. Bennet Description
Mrs. Bennet is a conniving woman who will do whatever it takes to see her dream come true; to the point where she seems hypocritical and her ideals are gone. She will absolutely see to it that her daughters are all married.
Mrs. Bennet can be a vexing woman at times and her character is difficult to understand. She can be deemed as a hypocrite at some instances. She will love any man who is rich and loves one of her daughters but if the man tries to break her daughter’s heart, then Mrs. Bennet will hate that man with every fiber of her being. When she thought that Darcy would no longer have anything to do with Elizabeth she hated him. As she says, “I am quite sorry, Lizzy, that you should be forced to have that disagreeable man all to yourself” (Austen 348). She absolutely hated Darcy but when she found out that Darcy loved Lizzy, she said “such a charming man! So handsome! so tall!” (351). The true nature of Mrs. Bennet character is that she does not look at the big picture, she only stays focus at the little trifles in her life; which make her look ridiculous.
Mrs. Bennet is like a six year old girl who will whine and complain until she gets her way. Mrs. Bennet treats her daughters like her toy dolls. They are the most precious things to her and she believes she knows what is best for them. Dolls do not talk back to their mother, which is what Mrs. Bennet likes. She wants her dollies to have the best dresses and an action figure to marry her dollies. Her parents say that they don’t have enough money to get all those things. The little girl is willing to wail for days until she achieves her goals; just like Mrs. Bennet.
Mrs. Bennet is like Homer Simpson because they both will spend so much time dealing with the little problems and fail to see the big picture; but in the end it all works out for them.
Mrs. Bennet can be a vexing woman at times and her character is difficult to understand. She can be deemed as a hypocrite at some instances. She will love any man who is rich and loves one of her daughters but if the man tries to break her daughter’s heart, then Mrs. Bennet will hate that man with every fiber of her being. When she thought that Darcy would no longer have anything to do with Elizabeth she hated him. As she says, “I am quite sorry, Lizzy, that you should be forced to have that disagreeable man all to yourself” (Austen 348). She absolutely hated Darcy but when she found out that Darcy loved Lizzy, she said “such a charming man! So handsome! so tall!” (351). The true nature of Mrs. Bennet character is that she does not look at the big picture, she only stays focus at the little trifles in her life; which make her look ridiculous.
Mrs. Bennet is like a six year old girl who will whine and complain until she gets her way. Mrs. Bennet treats her daughters like her toy dolls. They are the most precious things to her and she believes she knows what is best for them. Dolls do not talk back to their mother, which is what Mrs. Bennet likes. She wants her dollies to have the best dresses and an action figure to marry her dollies. Her parents say that they don’t have enough money to get all those things. The little girl is willing to wail for days until she achieves her goals; just like Mrs. Bennet.
Mrs. Bennet is like Homer Simpson because they both will spend so much time dealing with the little problems and fail to see the big picture; but in the end it all works out for them.
Jane Description
Jane Bennet is a pure and innocent young woman who would not dare speak ill-will about anyone; even though she lives in a low-life society that tells her otherwise.
Jane is a gorgeous and utterly handsome young woman. She is very optimistic and likes to think well of everyone she meets. This may lead to Jane’s character being naïve and ignorant to the trifles of mankind. Elizabeth has said, “You never see a fault in any body. All the world are good and agreeable in your eyes. I never heard you speak ill of a human being in my life” (Austen 16). This quote basically describes the entirety of Jane’s character. Her naïve way of thinking has left her hurt. For example when Bingley left her she wanted to denounce him, but it would go against her nature so she could not.
Jane is like a beautiful white dove flying majestically over the wide blue skies. Society is like a huge thunderstorm ravaging bellowing around the dove. The thunderclouds are trying to strike that dove with all it’s might until it grows fearful of the mighty lighting. Only Jane is like the dove because she can admit that she is scared but she does not falter from the skies. She stays firm and only imagines the beautiful rainbow at the end of the storm. Until she gets there she chooses to ignore the dangers the storm might bring to her. She sees a future, filled with wonder and awe, which she wants to obtain with all her might.
Jane is like Demi Lovato in the way the try to ignore the iniquities of a pressuring adult society and only tries to stay a role model for the kids and see the good in the world.
Jane is a gorgeous and utterly handsome young woman. She is very optimistic and likes to think well of everyone she meets. This may lead to Jane’s character being naïve and ignorant to the trifles of mankind. Elizabeth has said, “You never see a fault in any body. All the world are good and agreeable in your eyes. I never heard you speak ill of a human being in my life” (Austen 16). This quote basically describes the entirety of Jane’s character. Her naïve way of thinking has left her hurt. For example when Bingley left her she wanted to denounce him, but it would go against her nature so she could not.
Jane is like a beautiful white dove flying majestically over the wide blue skies. Society is like a huge thunderstorm ravaging bellowing around the dove. The thunderclouds are trying to strike that dove with all it’s might until it grows fearful of the mighty lighting. Only Jane is like the dove because she can admit that she is scared but she does not falter from the skies. She stays firm and only imagines the beautiful rainbow at the end of the storm. Until she gets there she chooses to ignore the dangers the storm might bring to her. She sees a future, filled with wonder and awe, which she wants to obtain with all her might.
Jane is like Demi Lovato in the way the try to ignore the iniquities of a pressuring adult society and only tries to stay a role model for the kids and see the good in the world.
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