While I'm at it, I may as well create a separate window for students of English 11 TFR1. They could post their paragraphs on the short story here by clicking on "comments" below.
Hey, Merry Christmas, all! I'm having a fine time in front of my desktop computer! What about you?
11 comments:
I'm very happy with your comments so far. So go ahead, post some more, and learn from each other!
We'll discuss "Heart of Darkness" soon as all papers on it are in. In the meantime go ahead and read the other short stories--they're most interesting. Some--or at least one--will overturn your traditional ideas of what a short story is!
I've received only 11 submissions on "Heart of Darkness" so far, so I won't comment on anyone's paper yet. I will leave Richmon and Katherine's paper on this blog, however, so you will be inspired to write as well as they have. I may even ask Claudia to post hers (still thinking about it).
When writing for this blog, please note that you need to place a line between your paragraphs and at least one space, if not two, between your sentences to make your entry readable. Also, reduce the length of your paragraphs. The template tends to dictate on your style, but no matter, it makes for good reading anyway.
So what about it, guys, do I get your papers before Tuesday, or do we have to agonize over other short stories before getting to "Heart of Darkness"?
I'm still confused on what a short story really is because back in high school, we didn't really discuss the exact definition of a short story. I didn't know that there are requirements to consider a piece of literature as a short story. It's already given that it's supposed to be short but then I still ask myself, 'how short is short?'. Take 'Heart of Darkness' for example, it's relatively longer than the ones we read in class but you can still say that it's a short story.
A traditional short story has a plot, characters, a conflict and a resolution. But other stories, say novels that are not considered short stories also have these attributes so how do you really say that something is a short story?
I think that what's interesting in the short stories that we have discussed is that there are so many things that you can say about it. They're short but if you look much deeper, you'll find it interesting that it's involved with history and sometimes the author's personal experience. We also learn new things from it and sometimes realize a lot about life and what comes with it.
Stephanie Catabui
2004-14235 Eng'g
Francis Goingo
Camille Yalung
Richmon Pancho
Analysis of 5 Short Stories
Little Incident
In this story, the rich man felt so little when he realized that the rick shaw puller, who has so little, can help without hesitation, without even thinking twice while he, who has almost everything, chooses not to help. The story shows man's tendency to find the easier way out. The rich man paid, or rather chose to give money to the policeman, instead of fixing the incident up. The story shows what's happening to society now. The widening gap between the rich and the poor happens due to the fact that the rich couldn't identify themselves with the poor because they don't experience what the poor do.
Dead Man's Path
When people become so jaded that they turn away from their beliefs, they tend to see those traditions as ridiculuos superstitions and often purge not only themselves but also purge the people around them from those beliefs. What the story wants to convey is why can't modernism coincide with tradionalism. Do we have to purge ourselves from traditionalism to give way to modernism? The story stresses out that sometimes we need to intertwine the two to find order.
A Long Day's Dying
The theme of this story is somewhat similar to "Dead Man's Path". The idea of modernism being the superior and traditionalism being superficial and outrageous. In the story Big Sant reluctantly believes Rabbit Stockings' instincts to go find Little Sant in the La Arroyo because of the obsurdity he found in talking to a snake. Another issue in this story is the oppression of the imigrants(white people) against the natives(Navaho Indians). Here, we see how white people treat the indigenous peoples of their country.
Six Feet of the Country
Again we see the oppression of the immigrants (whites) against the natives (blacks) taking place in this story. This story shows that most people help because it's their responsibilty and not out of sympathy. It isn't the case that the narrator is acting out of compassion; he is just acting out of the fear of being seen as a cruel boss. Also, we see that white people or the immigrants of a country in genral see the culture of the natives (blacks) as a system of silly practices that further enhances their savagery.
Araby
Children don't know the notion of socio-economic classes; they see everyone on equal footing. But because of what they see in society, they gradually lose thier innocence. In the story, one will see puppy love as the dominant theme but if one will look closely, one should see that the effects of poverty to persons is the real dominanting theme. The lead character soon realizes that his quest to make his "loved one" happy is crushed into smitherines due to the fact of him not being able to afford the gift the girl wanted. In a larger sense, our group concluded that he will be like this all of his life, hopeless because of his poverty.
Comparison of the 5 Stories to Heart of Darkness
In H.o.D., we see the attack made by the author towards "cultural imperialism". In the same manner, the other stories also issued their owm attack on the said matter. In all of the stories, we see that white culture is seen as the superior culture therefore it must be propagated. Minor culture, on the other hand, are seen as inferior culture that when people follow it, they become savage.
In the 5 Stories, we see how their authors demoralize the acts of their characters. In short, these stories express how a culture sets norms within a society and how it control the values of the people. In H.o.D., cultural imperialism instigates that other cultures, particualrly white culture must be adopted to dispose of the natives' savagery. In short, it is "culture murder". The belief of having superior and inferior cultures are superimposed.
Why Araby was Written.
Araby was wrtten not to evoke the almost intoxicating feeling of puppy love but to express the notion of poverty affecting the lives of even young children. in the story, the narrator went into a quest to make his "beloved" happy. He then realizes that he is hopeless and therefore cannot make his loved one happy because his money was not enough to but what his "beloved" wished for. Our group speculated that even in his adulthood, the narrator will still be like this, hopelessly devoted to a cause he himself could never prevail. This is, of course, will be true if he stays poor.
“A LITTLE INCIDENT”
The story was narrated from the point of view of the persona himself. We think its better that way because it was the persona himself who experienced the “little incident”. Therefore it has a greater impact rather than having another person telling it. In the story, we can compare two characters:
a)the narrator-wealthy, yet proud and arrogant and didn’t have the heart to help others, against
b)the rickshaw puller-though a poor man, was ready to help even in little ways.
The role of the characters reminds us of the story from the Bible--“The Good Samaritan. It tells the story of a Jewish man who was robbed & beaten (the old woman). A priest, then a Levi (the rich man in the story or the narrator) saw the man and both decided to take the other road ignoring the man. Then a Samaritan (rickshaw puller) saw the man and helped him and really took care of him though the Jews and the Samaritans were in conflict at that time. We also know that the Samaritan had given all the money he has during that time to the one who will take care of the beaten Jew even if those were the only money left in him. Like him, the rickshaw puller had helped the old woman even though it will cost him his job. The conflict in the story was the different ways of handling the incident by the narrator (who wanted to just leave it be) and the rickshaw puller (who wanted to help the old woman). Although the story was entitled “A Little Incident”, it wasn’t a little incident after all because it had made the narrator realize something big and important--to become a better person.
“DEAD MEN’S PATH”
This story has an omniscient narrator to tell the story. Obi didn’t even know the culture and practices of the villagers so how can he tell the story? Whilst if one of the villagers would tell the story, their culture will play a dominant role in it to the extent that the side of Obi would not be known and understood. So it is more likely to have a third person narrator so that there will be no bias. We agree with the reporters that there is this modern side which is represented by Michael Obi (who wanted to change everything even if it means destroying the ways of the old tradition that came before him) and the traditional side which is represented by the villagers who are still practicing their heritage. This is also the conflict of the story. Obi wanted to close the path while the villagers were against it because they believe it is where the souls of the dead cross to their afterlife. However, despite the resistance of the villagers, he still closed the path. Had Obi left the path as it is, there will be no trouble. It is not bad to be modern but it is much better if he has respected the culture of the villagers. After all, it would not cause him so much trouble leaving the path of the dead undisturbed. Both sides could have accepted syncretism or the blending of the modern and the traditional customs. But Obi, deaf with the warning and blinded by wanting for praise and promotion, did not even respect the villager’s culture and insisted on his modern ideas. So, in the end, he got his just reward.
“A LONG DAY’S DYING”
This story is also a matter of conflict between modernization and tradition. The story is told through the point of view of a third person. Another theme in the story is what the white man thinks about a native's belief and practices. There is a conflict between Big Sant and Rabbit Stockings with regards to what path to take in order to find Little Sant but sometime in the end, Big Sant finally agreed with the belief of Rabbit Stockings about the ways of nature andd their beliefs. We can say that modernization isn't bad as long as the traditional cultures and beliefs are respected.
"SIX FEET OF THE COUNTRY"
One thing we can add to this story is the system of Apartheid or the racial segregation in Africa. It is a system wherein one person or native cannot cross the border of another place without proper permit. It also segregates the blacks from the whites. We can see its bad effect on the culture and the way of life of the Negroes. One of its consequences is that they cannot find jobs in nearby places so that their last resort was to disobey the law. Just like the case of the brother of Petrus who wanted so much to have a job that he crossed the border and disobeyed.
"ARABY"
This tells the story of a young man in his adolescence who falls in love with his friend's sister. It is only natural that an adolescent feel that way. He was obssesed with the girl that he would do anything for her. An example is that when she asked him if he would go to the Araby and asked him to buy something for her. He waited a long time for his uncle to come home so that he wil be able to give him money to go to the Araby. But when he arrived at the Bazaar it was nearly closed. He then felt anguish and anger. He is just like any other adolescent who is in-love who would do anything for his loved one without even realizing what it would cost and without thinking of the consequences. The anger he felt symbolizes the feeling of frustration when he cannot give someone he really likes a present he had promised. Just like any typical male adolescent!
Contreras, Karolyn T.
Jamig, Czarina Lizcel H.
“A LITTLE INCIDENT”
The story was narrated from the point of view of the persona himself. We think its better that way because it was the persona himself who experienced the “little incident”. Therefore it has a greater impact rather than having another person telling it. In the story, we can compare two characters:
a)the narrator-wealthy, yet proud and arrogant and didn’t have the heart to help others, against
b)the rickshaw puller-though a poor man, was ready to help even in little ways.
The role of the characters reminds us of the story from the Bible--“The Good Samaritan. It tells the story of a Jewish man who was robbed & beaten (the old woman). A priest, then a Levi (the rich man in the story or the narrator) saw the man and both decided to take the other road ignoring the man. Then a Samaritan (rickshaw puller) saw the man and helped him and really took care of him though the Jews and the Samaritans were in conflict at that time. We also know that the Samaritan had given all the money he has during that time to the one who will take care of the beaten Jew even if those were the only money left in him. Like him, the rickshaw puller had helped the old woman even though it will cost him his job. The conflict in the story was the different ways of handling the incident by the narrator (who wanted to just leave it be) and the rickshaw puller (who wanted to help the old woman). Although the story was entitled “A Little Incident”, it wasn’t a little incident after all because it had made the narrator realize something big and important--to become a better person.
“DEAD MEN’S PATH”
This story has an omniscient narrator to tell the story. Obi didn’t even know the culture and practices of the villagers so how can he tell the story? Whilst if one of the villagers would tell the story, their culture will play a dominant role in it to the extent that the side of Obi would not be known and understood. So it is more likely to have a third person narrator so that there will be no bias. We agree with the reporters that there is this modern side which is represented by Michael Obi (who wanted to change everything even if it means destroying the ways of the old tradition that came before him) and the traditional side which is represented by the villagers who are still practicing their heritage. This is also the conflict of the story. Obi wanted to close the path while the villagers were against it because they believe it is where the souls of the dead cross to their afterlife. However, despite the resistance of the villagers, he still closed the path. Had Obi left the path as it is, there will be no trouble. It is not bad to be modern but it is much better if he has respected the culture of the villagers. After all, it would not cause him so much trouble leaving the path of the dead undisturbed. Both sides could have accepted syncretism or the blending of the modern and the traditional customs. But Obi, deaf with the warning and blinded by wanting for praise and promotion, did not even respect the villager’s culture and insisted on his modern ideas. So, in the end, he got his just reward.
“A LONG DAY’S DYING”
This story is also a matter of conflict between modernization and tradition. The story is told through the point of view of a third person. Another theme in the story is what the white man thinks about a native's belief and practices. There is a conflict between Big Sant and Rabbit Stockings with regards to what path to take in order to find Little Sant but sometime in the end, Big Sant finally agreed with the belief of Rabbit Stockings about the ways of nature andd their beliefs. We can say that modernization isn't bad as long as the traditional cultures and beliefs are respected.
"SIX FEET OF THE COUNTRY"
One thing we can add to this story is the system of Apartheid or the racial segregation in Africa. It is a system wherein one person or native cannot cross the border of another place without proper permit. It also segregates the blacks from the whites. We can see its bad effect on the culture and the way of life of the Negroes. One of its consequences is that they cannot find jobs in nearby places so that their last resort was to disobey the law. Just like the case of the brother of Petrus who wanted so much to have a job that he crossed the border and disobeyed.
"ARABY"
This tells the story of a young man in his adolescence who falls in love with his friend's sister. It is only natural that an adolescent feel that way. He was obssesed with the girl that he would do anything for her. An example is that when she asked him if he would go to the Araby and asked him to buy something for her. He waited a long time for his uncle to come home so that he wil be able to give him money to go to the Araby. But when he arrived at the Bazaar it was nearly closed. He then felt anguish and anger. He is just like any other adolescent who is in-love who would do anything for his loved one without even realizing what it would cost and without thinking of the consequences. The anger he felt symbolizes the feeling of frustration when he cannot give someone he really likes a present he had promised. Just like any typical male adolescent!
Contreras, Karolyn T.
Jamig, Czarina Lizcel H.
“A LITTLE INCIDENT”
The story was narrated from the point of view of the persona himself. We think its better that way because it was the persona himself who experienced the “little incident”. Therefore it has a greater impact rather than having another person telling it. In the story, we can compare two characters:
a)the narrator-wealthy, yet proud and arrogant and didn’t have the heart to help others, against
b)the rickshaw puller-though a poor man, was ready to help even in little ways.
The role of the characters reminds us of the story from the Bible--“The Good Samaritan. It tells the story of a Jewish man who was robbed & beaten (the old woman). A priest, then a Levi (the rich man in the story or the narrator) saw the man and both decided to take the other road ignoring the man. Then a Samaritan (rickshaw puller) saw the man and helped him and really took care of him though the Jews and the Samaritans were in conflict at that time. We also know that the Samaritan had given all the money he has during that time to the one who will take care of the beaten Jew even if those were the only money left in him. Like him, the rickshaw puller had helped the old woman even though it will cost him his job. The conflict in the story was the different ways of handling the incident by the narrator (who wanted to just leave it be) and the rickshaw puller (who wanted to help the old woman). Although the story was entitled “A Little Incident”, it wasn’t a little incident after all because it had made the narrator realize something big and important--to become a better person.
“DEAD MEN’S PATH”
This story has an omniscient narrator to tell the story. Obi didn’t even know the culture and practices of the villagers so how can he tell the story? Whilst if one of the villagers would tell the story, their culture will play a dominant role in it to the extent that the side of Obi would not be known and understood. So it is more likely to have a third person narrator so that there will be no bias. We agree with the reporters that there is this modern side which is represented by Michael Obi (who wanted to change everything even if it means destroying the ways of the old tradition that came before him) and the traditional side which is represented by the villagers who are still practicing their heritage. This is also the conflict of the story. Obi wanted to close the path while the villagers were against it because they believe it is where the souls of the dead cross to their afterlife. However, despite the resistance of the villagers, he still closed the path. Had Obi left the path as it is, there will be no trouble. It is not bad to be modern but it is much better if he has respected the culture of the villagers. After all, it would not cause him so much trouble leaving the path of the dead undisturbed. Both sides could have accepted syncretism or the blending of the modern and the traditional customs. But Obi, deaf with the warning and blinded by wanting for praise and promotion, did not even respect the villager’s culture and insisted on his modern ideas. So, in the end, he got his just reward.
“A LONG DAY’S DYING”
This story is also a matter of conflict between modernization and tradition. The story is told through the point of view of a third person. Another theme in the story is what the white man thinks about a native's belief and practices. There is a conflict between Big Sant and Rabbit Stockings with regards to what path to take in order to find Little Sant but sometime in the end, Big Sant finally agreed with the belief of Rabbit Stockings about the ways of nature andd their beliefs. We can say that modernization isn't bad as long as the traditional cultures and beliefs are respected.
"SIX FEET OF THE COUNTRY"
One thing we can add to this story is the system of Apartheid or the racial segregation in Africa. It is a system wherein one person or native cannot cross the border of another place without proper permit. It also segregates the blacks from the whites. We can see its bad effect on the culture and the way of life of the Negroes. One of its consequences is that they cannot find jobs in nearby places so that their last resort was to disobey the law. Just like the case of the brother of Petrus who wanted so much to have a job that he crossed the border and disobeyed.
"ARABY"
This tells the story of a young man in his adolescence who falls in love with his friend's sister. It is only natural that an adolescent feel that way. He was obssesed with the girl that he would do anything for her. An example is that when she asked him if he would go to the Araby and asked him to buy something for her. He waited a long time for his uncle to come home so that he wil be able to give him money to go to the Araby. But when he arrived at the Bazaar it was nearly closed. He then felt anguish and anger. He is just like any other adolescent who is in-love who would do anything for his loved one without even realizing what it would cost and without thinking of the consequences. The anger he felt symbolizes the feeling of frustration when he cannot give someone he really likes a present he had promised. Just like any typical male adolescent!
Dumlao, Elizabeth M.
2001 – 24218
Texting TextsI attended the PEN National Conference last Friday. Everyone seemed to know everyone, except for me. It was amazing seeing them hug, pat each other on the back, shake hands, or kiss each other’s cheeks, as if they were all long lost friends.
The topic was mainly about Philippine Literature in the age of technology – what is literature, who are the masses, how is accessible it, what does technology have to do with it, and what are the problems that go with it.
What is literature? My English 11 teacher asked this question on our first class meeting. My answer was that it was a medium to transcend to different worlds, and that level of enjoyment was dependent on the “noise” in the medium. However, I’ve learned a whole lot more in my English 11 classes, and even more during the conference. Literature wasn’t only for entertainment, or for information. It’s also a useful way to send messages across people of different social status, ethnicities, interests, ages, genders, and others. Literature can be used as a medium for social, political, and even economical causes.
How is Philippine Literature now? Mr Ian Casocot told of an anecdote. “If you Googled yourself and no results exist, does that mean that you don’t exist?” So he asked, “If you Google ‘Philippine Literature’ and no results come up, does that mean that it doesn’t exist?” Some years ago, I experienced this predicament. I needed online resources on Philippine literature and I ended up having none. Now, if I look up “Philippine Literature” on Google.com, more than 10,000 links turn up. Would that mean that Philippine Literature now exists? It just means that there are now a lot of people who are actually working on it so that the whole world can read and experience our very own literature.
Another panelist said that the best thing that happened to us is the Internet. I guess it’s true, but that is too specific. Aside from the Internet, there’s mobile or wireless technology, which Mr Vim Nadera had told a lot about its use in expanding or broadening our literature – Philippine poetry to be specific. Mr Frank Rivera sends text messages of his poetry to his friends and put these in a collection for his book. In Mr Domingo Landicho’s case though, he stopped sending his poetry text because of the cost.
Aside from SMS, there’s the Internet. Ms Mila Aguilar uses the blog for her students in English 11. Mr Casocot’s Philippine Literature website started as a resource for his own students. Another panelist talked about online consultation for writers. I would suggest discussion boards or forums for real online discussion. People can discuss and reply to replies.
Any teacher or writer can make use of the Internet to help his or her class or spread his or her works. However, there’s a question on accessibility. Not all Filipinos have a computer. Not all Filipinos have Internet access. So whom do these people want to reach? My teacher and her colleagues discussed a little about this. The big problem is economy. This reminds me of a joke I got on email. “The Philippines: where the tourist spots is where Filipinos do not (or cannot) go.”
Technology is heaven sent, yes, I agree, but in a Third World Country such as this, the best thing we could do is let the other countries know what we have, and make do with what we have.
Very good, Elizabeth.
As for the rest of you, I must say "very good," too. You worked hard on your analyses. It doesn't matter that some of your pithiest comments come from other authors, because it means that you researched on the matter.
I must caution you, however, on the use of the Internet to reflect other authors' views. You see, the Internet is open to everyone, and it may just so happen that the author who originally espoused the views you reflected, or someone who knows his works, may come upon your essays and accuse you of plagiarism. Remember, plagiarism is not merely lifting whole works and passing it off as your own; it may consist of copying other's IDEAS and passing it off as your own, or lifting as little as an outstanding PHRASE and passing it off as your own.
If an author's critique is so beautiful that you would want to pass it on to others, the trick is to fully acknowldge him/her through your in-text notations as well as endnotes. One of the groups did that, but forgot to pursue their acknowledgements in later paragraphs. Another group was even so careless in its cut-and-paste work as to place the last paragraph of its previous analysis after the last paragraph of the next!
Remember, the Internet is open to everyone, and so is this blog, so if you happen to get sued, don't blame me.
:)
Ces: Cecilia Naca, I suppose? Can't be anyone else, there's no other Ces in class.
You're getting better and better, Ces.
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