Page 175:
"Or maybe I just had Juantoomanys. Everywhere I look there is a Juan. Can't help it."
*Juan Herrera brings an important point to the end of the story with his mentioning of normality. Everyone seems to be the same and is then considered normal. To be abnormal is to be different. Herrera demonstrates tehat everyone seems to be the same with examples such as physical appearances and behaviors. No one dares to be different and it has been that way ffor years.
Page 180:
"Oh, excuse me, I am straying (like a good gato) from the subject at mano."
*Perhaps one of my favorite quotes, the author incorporates both spanish and english in this sentence. Being both completely serious and totally humorous I like this quote because I can understand spanish and what he says is funny. Straying liek a good cat from the the subject at hand. That made me happy to know that even under stress a man can still have selff composure.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
Notebooks of a Chile Verde Smuggler-quote response
Page 172:
"All I want to do is take some pictures. Maybe the silhouettes have somethign to do wit me and my familia, wit all of us. Mexico. America--wit Hollywood."
*This made no sense to me. I couldnt figure out if Hollywood was a nickname that Juan knew somebody by of if he was relating to the place in California. The fact that he mentioned taking pictures seemed to incorporate paprazzi but since hollywood was mentioned as somethign possibly important at the dinner conversation I was not sure.
Page 173:
"Five minutes, we close, brotherito. So get your tortillas together."
*In a way this quote makes sense. It seems to be a figure of speech in joke formation. Either that or it is a variation of the American expression : Get your act together. I ffound this quote interesting because it was similar yet diverse.
"All I want to do is take some pictures. Maybe the silhouettes have somethign to do wit me and my familia, wit all of us. Mexico. America--wit Hollywood."
*This made no sense to me. I couldnt figure out if Hollywood was a nickname that Juan knew somebody by of if he was relating to the place in California. The fact that he mentioned taking pictures seemed to incorporate paprazzi but since hollywood was mentioned as somethign possibly important at the dinner conversation I was not sure.
Page 173:
"Five minutes, we close, brotherito. So get your tortillas together."
*In a way this quote makes sense. It seems to be a figure of speech in joke formation. Either that or it is a variation of the American expression : Get your act together. I ffound this quote interesting because it was similar yet diverse.
Notebooks of a Chile Verde Smuggler-quote response
Page 141:
"Peanut bag with salt next to Tomato juice plastic glass marvelous. I need a Zen quote that will slap my ears, say, Juan Boy! Something like this & blam! I am drinking tomatoes as I write."
*This quote strikes me as rediculous. I had no idea what Juan was talking about when he said this. New York City Angelic: Need a Zen Quote i thought was one of the worse stories in the book because I didnt really understnad any of it and it reminded me of the Dharma Bums. ( I didnt really enjoy that book.)
Page 144:
"Oyeme, Mamita, oyeme--now that you are gone into the deep and silent luminous fallen side of the night. Oyeme."
* Listen, mama, listen. Juan speaks to his dead mother, showing her respect by talking to her and listening to her in Spanish. He watches her signs that she sends to him. I thought that this quote seemed very sentimental and that it proved how much Juan and his mother loved each other. The family theme in this book is very strong.
"Peanut bag with salt next to Tomato juice plastic glass marvelous. I need a Zen quote that will slap my ears, say, Juan Boy! Something like this & blam! I am drinking tomatoes as I write."
*This quote strikes me as rediculous. I had no idea what Juan was talking about when he said this. New York City Angelic: Need a Zen Quote i thought was one of the worse stories in the book because I didnt really understnad any of it and it reminded me of the Dharma Bums. ( I didnt really enjoy that book.)
Page 144:
"Oyeme, Mamita, oyeme--now that you are gone into the deep and silent luminous fallen side of the night. Oyeme."
* Listen, mama, listen. Juan speaks to his dead mother, showing her respect by talking to her and listening to her in Spanish. He watches her signs that she sends to him. I thought that this quote seemed very sentimental and that it proved how much Juan and his mother loved each other. The family theme in this book is very strong.
Notebooks of a Chile Verde Smuggler-quote response
Page 114:
"Ain't nothing better, than pulling over--after the pizcain Fresno, on the way to the next one in Delano. On a hot day leave the troke running, snap off a half dozen of the grower's naranjas for the sweet road ahead. Que no?"
*This quote made me laugh soo hard when i read it because it is like he is just takign a road trip and then randomly stopping on the side of the road and stealing fruit from peoples groves. The way Juan narrates this story makes him sound as if he were a truck driver however. The fact that he stops along the roadside for some home fgrown oranges is hysterical.
Page 119:
"At sixteen, at midnight they came knocking. Said my father had died of complications. My mother shuddered. Fell. Something dropped inside of her and grew above us. A tiny flame of sweetness and black. For years, in that wild shadow, she smoked and kissed a stray that crossed our window."
*The name of this story is called The Cat My Mother Cradled. It symbolizes the last sentence, which I believe to be a metaphor. Although I'm not sure what that metaphor means I figure it to be important and relate to loss and mournings of lost ones that we love.
"Ain't nothing better, than pulling over--after the pizcain Fresno, on the way to the next one in Delano. On a hot day leave the troke running, snap off a half dozen of the grower's naranjas for the sweet road ahead. Que no?"
*This quote made me laugh soo hard when i read it because it is like he is just takign a road trip and then randomly stopping on the side of the road and stealing fruit from peoples groves. The way Juan narrates this story makes him sound as if he were a truck driver however. The fact that he stops along the roadside for some home fgrown oranges is hysterical.
Page 119:
"At sixteen, at midnight they came knocking. Said my father had died of complications. My mother shuddered. Fell. Something dropped inside of her and grew above us. A tiny flame of sweetness and black. For years, in that wild shadow, she smoked and kissed a stray that crossed our window."
*The name of this story is called The Cat My Mother Cradled. It symbolizes the last sentence, which I believe to be a metaphor. Although I'm not sure what that metaphor means I figure it to be important and relate to loss and mournings of lost ones that we love.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Notebooks of a Chile Verde Smuggler-quote response
Page 90:
"But, it was the loudest poem, the most magnetic. A swollen tear, a naked vein, a deep green vine with the ability to turn its head in any direfction, day or night and scream and breathe and live."
*When Juan says this about a poem he finds taped to a front door, it makes me think that the poem must be really moving. It makes me want to read the poem and understand for myself why the words are so great. The way that he describes it as so many powerfful things makes me inclined to wonder about poetry and why people write poems. The poem on the door had been written by a woman whom had been stabbed to death. She had not tried to publish or sel her poem. This is what Juan says makes the woman's poem stand out so much. The fact that it pulls you near it in order to read it without having any media or publicity to recreate the meaning of it is amazing.
Page 101:
"Visit Chiapas and Guatemala the hydroelectric prostitutes of this continent, where are the pimps? That is the question where are the power pimps? Or is the word energy?"
*This quote comesfromareadign all about power and how come veryone needs/wants it. People are always looking to increase themselves and raise their status level. Today it is all about power when it comes to countrie, especially in times of war. The quote mentions countries who crave power with the analogy of a prostitute. Prostitutes have cravings and usually abide by an idividual who has power over them such as a pimp. So what country acts as the pimp and develops the power over the"energy" prostitue countries in the quote?
"But, it was the loudest poem, the most magnetic. A swollen tear, a naked vein, a deep green vine with the ability to turn its head in any direfction, day or night and scream and breathe and live."
*When Juan says this about a poem he finds taped to a front door, it makes me think that the poem must be really moving. It makes me want to read the poem and understand for myself why the words are so great. The way that he describes it as so many powerfful things makes me inclined to wonder about poetry and why people write poems. The poem on the door had been written by a woman whom had been stabbed to death. She had not tried to publish or sel her poem. This is what Juan says makes the woman's poem stand out so much. The fact that it pulls you near it in order to read it without having any media or publicity to recreate the meaning of it is amazing.
Page 101:
"Visit Chiapas and Guatemala the hydroelectric prostitutes of this continent, where are the pimps? That is the question where are the power pimps? Or is the word energy?"
*This quote comesfromareadign all about power and how come veryone needs/wants it. People are always looking to increase themselves and raise their status level. Today it is all about power when it comes to countrie, especially in times of war. The quote mentions countries who crave power with the analogy of a prostitute. Prostitutes have cravings and usually abide by an idividual who has power over them such as a pimp. So what country acts as the pimp and develops the power over the"energy" prostitue countries in the quote?
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Notebooks of a Chile Verde Smuggler- quote response
Page 59:
"Jet burns overhead as a Hindu woman in pink-milk patch sari sits in ffront off me with her face up through the skylight & a flowery ribbon on her hair, she looks up to the sky region-the jet- boom blows & tears another pattern through the dome."
*This quote confuses me because I don't understand what the narrator is talking about here. He says that he is sitting at a gate in the airport and that the plane's engine is getting fixed but he is worried about his luggage. When he says the very last sentence, which is this quote, it confuses me. The way he words it makes me think that the plane is in the air right over head and the engine keeps blowing out jet fuel which is tearing apartthe ceiling.
Page 66:
"Yoli, I said, maybe you can talk to the manager, tell him I'm famous or something, get me a suave deal on the ranfla."
*Juan is telling a story about a girl named Francis whom he called Yoli. She apparently works at a car dealership and Juan would like to buy a car, but for very cheap. Therefore, he tries to get Yoli to rip the manager off and lie to him about the true identity of Juan. Yoli gets mad and tells him off.
"Jet burns overhead as a Hindu woman in pink-milk patch sari sits in ffront off me with her face up through the skylight & a flowery ribbon on her hair, she looks up to the sky region-the jet- boom blows & tears another pattern through the dome."
*This quote confuses me because I don't understand what the narrator is talking about here. He says that he is sitting at a gate in the airport and that the plane's engine is getting fixed but he is worried about his luggage. When he says the very last sentence, which is this quote, it confuses me. The way he words it makes me think that the plane is in the air right over head and the engine keeps blowing out jet fuel which is tearing apartthe ceiling.
Page 66:
"Yoli, I said, maybe you can talk to the manager, tell him I'm famous or something, get me a suave deal on the ranfla."
*Juan is telling a story about a girl named Francis whom he called Yoli. She apparently works at a car dealership and Juan would like to buy a car, but for very cheap. Therefore, he tries to get Yoli to rip the manager off and lie to him about the true identity of Juan. Yoli gets mad and tells him off.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Notebooks of a Chile Verde Smuggler-quote response
Page 32:
"New age gargoyle trilingual lowriders."
*This quote seems to de-emphasize the meaning. Its funny because when you try to imagine the image, what comes to mind is not a typical car. (A lowrider= a car.) How can a car symbolize a gargoyle and symbolize three languages at that? Or does it mean that the car symbolizes a trilingual gargoyle, which is silly a gorgoyle can in fact not talk at all?
Page 33-34:
"Burnt tortillas...Yo' bones on the rocks."
*This whole snippet of words strikes me as somewhat oddly intelligent. It also strikes me as stunningly shocking andsomewhat brilliant. I thought that all of the things said in this section were quite interesting. A marijuana grocery bag? An executive chicken? Teriaki ink, midwest brick, baby gila fangs in tights, asbestos lobster? What do all of thses things mean? In a way, some of them make sense in a scary, yet realistic way. Some, even after a long thought process I cannot figure to be literal in any form. I like this piece because its both logical andillogical at the same time.
"New age gargoyle trilingual lowriders."
*This quote seems to de-emphasize the meaning. Its funny because when you try to imagine the image, what comes to mind is not a typical car. (A lowrider= a car.) How can a car symbolize a gargoyle and symbolize three languages at that? Or does it mean that the car symbolizes a trilingual gargoyle, which is silly a gorgoyle can in fact not talk at all?
Page 33-34:
"Burnt tortillas...Yo' bones on the rocks."
*This whole snippet of words strikes me as somewhat oddly intelligent. It also strikes me as stunningly shocking andsomewhat brilliant. I thought that all of the things said in this section were quite interesting. A marijuana grocery bag? An executive chicken? Teriaki ink, midwest brick, baby gila fangs in tights, asbestos lobster? What do all of thses things mean? In a way, some of them make sense in a scary, yet realistic way. Some, even after a long thought process I cannot figure to be literal in any form. I like this piece because its both logical andillogical at the same time.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
CCC INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR SHIRLEY TAWNEY: LIVING & WORKING ABROAD & THE AFTER EFFECTS
*Can you elaborate about the base in the Philippines?
*Can you elaborate about the base in Germany?
*Can you elaborate about the base in Japan?
*Why did you choose to visit each of these countries?
*What inspired you to be a traveling teacher?
*Did any of these bases affectthe way you live now?
*If so, how and in what ways?
*When you were at each of the bases, did the culture and lifestyles surprise you in any way?
*If so, how?
*Can you elaborate about the base in Germany?
*Can you elaborate about the base in Japan?
*Why did you choose to visit each of these countries?
*What inspired you to be a traveling teacher?
*Did any of these bases affectthe way you live now?
*If so, how and in what ways?
*When you were at each of the bases, did the culture and lifestyles surprise you in any way?
*If so, how?
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
The House on Mango Street- quote response
Page 747:
"They always told us that one day we would move into a house, a real house that would be ours for always so we wouldn't have to move each year."
*This is a sad quote because the narrator tells it like she knows it is an impossible feat to overcome. The narrator knows that her family is poor and even at a young age realizes how muh off a strain it would be on the family in order for them to get a house, let alone get the house they dream of.
Page 748:
"I knew then I had to have a house. A real house. One I could point to. But this isn't it. The house on Mango Street isn't it. For the time being, Mama says. Temporay, says Papa. But I know how those things go."
*The narrator is implying that her parents still have faith and are trying to spread that faith upon their children. However, the narrator seems to know better and look at life more realistically than her parents notice her to.
"They always told us that one day we would move into a house, a real house that would be ours for always so we wouldn't have to move each year."
*This is a sad quote because the narrator tells it like she knows it is an impossible feat to overcome. The narrator knows that her family is poor and even at a young age realizes how muh off a strain it would be on the family in order for them to get a house, let alone get the house they dream of.
Page 748:
"I knew then I had to have a house. A real house. One I could point to. But this isn't it. The house on Mango Street isn't it. For the time being, Mama says. Temporay, says Papa. But I know how those things go."
*The narrator is implying that her parents still have faith and are trying to spread that faith upon their children. However, the narrator seems to know better and look at life more realistically than her parents notice her to.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Seeing - quote response #2
*page 702*
"A fifteen-year-old boy, who was aslo in love with a girl ath the asylum for the blind, finally blurted out, "No, really, I can't stand it any more; I want to be sent back to the asylum again. If things aren't altered, I'll tear my eyes out.""
This quote struck me as interesting because it put into persepective how powerful eyesight is. The impact on a life that seeing has is great. The quote is one example of this. THe boy who had been blind and recieved surgery was in love with another blind girl. The fact that he could now see and had to be removed was life changing for him. One of the changes involved was never "seeing" his love again. This drove the boy to almost insanity in order to just be in her presance again. That is why he made the statement he did.
*PAGE 704*
"Like a blind man at the ball game, I need a radio."
The narrator is trying to elaborate upon the fact that unless she knows exactly what is going on inher surroundings she will simply observe. Therfore, not saying anything, she just becomes aware of what is going on around her. Only when in a familiar place will the narrator speak and speak openly. When in a familiar place she will speak freely. This analogy relates because it is as if she were at a baseball game. Since she does not understand the sport and may not be able to follow where the ball goes, rather than talking she watches and pays attention in order to better her understanding of what is happening.
"A fifteen-year-old boy, who was aslo in love with a girl ath the asylum for the blind, finally blurted out, "No, really, I can't stand it any more; I want to be sent back to the asylum again. If things aren't altered, I'll tear my eyes out.""
This quote struck me as interesting because it put into persepective how powerful eyesight is. The impact on a life that seeing has is great. The quote is one example of this. THe boy who had been blind and recieved surgery was in love with another blind girl. The fact that he could now see and had to be removed was life changing for him. One of the changes involved was never "seeing" his love again. This drove the boy to almost insanity in order to just be in her presance again. That is why he made the statement he did.
*PAGE 704*
"Like a blind man at the ball game, I need a radio."
The narrator is trying to elaborate upon the fact that unless she knows exactly what is going on inher surroundings she will simply observe. Therfore, not saying anything, she just becomes aware of what is going on around her. Only when in a familiar place will the narrator speak and speak openly. When in a familiar place she will speak freely. This analogy relates because it is as if she were at a baseball game. Since she does not understand the sport and may not be able to follow where the ball goes, rather than talking she watches and pays attention in order to better her understanding of what is happening.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Seeing- quote responses #1
*page 693*
"But I never lurked about. I would go straight home and not give the matter another thought, until, some months later, I would be gripped again by the impulse to hide another penny."
This is the narrator speaking of the days when she was about six or seven and had desires to hide her pennies for other people to find. The way she describes how she planned it out and then leaves quickly seems kind off creeepy to me.
*page 695*
"Finally I asked, "What color am I looking for?" and a fellow said, "Green." "When at last I picked out the frog, I saw what painters are up against: te thign wasn't green at all, but the color of wet hickory bark."
I was intrigued by this quote because I always seem to have the same problem. Whenever I ask what color something is, people always give me back a general color. Sometimes I disagree with this color and often times it maddens me to think that people dont know any specific colors. People are too vague for my taste when it comes to art. A true artist could tell you exactly what color something was like the wet hickory bark. I do the same thing. Wehn people ask me what color somethign is, I tell them exactly what color the object is.
"But I never lurked about. I would go straight home and not give the matter another thought, until, some months later, I would be gripped again by the impulse to hide another penny."
This is the narrator speaking of the days when she was about six or seven and had desires to hide her pennies for other people to find. The way she describes how she planned it out and then leaves quickly seems kind off creeepy to me.
*page 695*
"Finally I asked, "What color am I looking for?" and a fellow said, "Green." "When at last I picked out the frog, I saw what painters are up against: te thign wasn't green at all, but the color of wet hickory bark."
I was intrigued by this quote because I always seem to have the same problem. Whenever I ask what color something is, people always give me back a general color. Sometimes I disagree with this color and often times it maddens me to think that people dont know any specific colors. People are too vague for my taste when it comes to art. A true artist could tell you exactly what color something was like the wet hickory bark. I do the same thing. Wehn people ask me what color somethign is, I tell them exactly what color the object is.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
The Dharma Bums-quote response
Page 172:
*I went out to the privy and, coming back, wishing to surprise Japhy with a Zen trick I threw the roll of toilet paper through the open window and he let out a big Samurai Warrior roar and appeared on the windowsill in his boots and shorts with a dagger in his hand and jumped fifteen feet down into the loggy yard.
--After hes says privy I am completely dumbfounded. To me, privy is used as the word for bathroom by Australians. I tought that Ray portrayed Kerouac whom in turn I believed to be English. I was shocked after I read that...and somewhat dissapointed. Privy is such a weird word to me that when I read that for some reason immediatly "YUCK" popped into my head. Other than that the quote really had no meaning to me.
Page 186:
* "You love her, don't you?" "You damn right, I oughta marry her myself." "But she's your sister." "I don't give a goddamn. She needs a real man like me. You don't know how wild she is, you weren't brought up with her in the woods."
--Japhy turned out to be quite the disturbed and disturbing man. Not only does he get fed up with his sister's fiance because he thinks that the guy sucks, but he has it in his head that he ought to marry her instead! This is incest and inbreeding. Another thing it is is disgusting and the fact that Japhy portrays one of Kerouac's real live friends frightens me. However, if that is how he really feels abotu his sister, then I believe he should pursue his dreams and invest in true love as logn as his sister truly felt the same way. Individuals need to learn to be happy with themselves and treat themselves with respect , once in a whiel giving in to their sheer desires.
*I went out to the privy and, coming back, wishing to surprise Japhy with a Zen trick I threw the roll of toilet paper through the open window and he let out a big Samurai Warrior roar and appeared on the windowsill in his boots and shorts with a dagger in his hand and jumped fifteen feet down into the loggy yard.
--After hes says privy I am completely dumbfounded. To me, privy is used as the word for bathroom by Australians. I tought that Ray portrayed Kerouac whom in turn I believed to be English. I was shocked after I read that...and somewhat dissapointed. Privy is such a weird word to me that when I read that for some reason immediatly "YUCK" popped into my head. Other than that the quote really had no meaning to me.
Page 186:
* "You love her, don't you?" "You damn right, I oughta marry her myself." "But she's your sister." "I don't give a goddamn. She needs a real man like me. You don't know how wild she is, you weren't brought up with her in the woods."
--Japhy turned out to be quite the disturbed and disturbing man. Not only does he get fed up with his sister's fiance because he thinks that the guy sucks, but he has it in his head that he ought to marry her instead! This is incest and inbreeding. Another thing it is is disgusting and the fact that Japhy portrays one of Kerouac's real live friends frightens me. However, if that is how he really feels abotu his sister, then I believe he should pursue his dreams and invest in true love as logn as his sister truly felt the same way. Individuals need to learn to be happy with themselves and treat themselves with respect , once in a whiel giving in to their sheer desires.
The Dharma Bums-quote response
Page 150:
*"I sit and smoke a pipe and drink tea and hear the wind beat the slender eucalyptus limbs like whips and the cypress windrow roars."
-- This is in a letter Japhy wrote to Smith on his way over. To me this sounds like paradise because of the way he describes his life so casually. Not only does he get to lounge around all day and just lay back and relax on his little straw mats in California, but he gets to drink his calming tea and listen to the music mother nature supplies him with. That to me is ideal in the sense that I love nature and living organisms and sitting outside lounging around, all curled up and cuddled with my favorite drink sounds heavenly.
Page 166:
*"I cooked up a nice pot of beans for you." "You did?" He was tremendously grateful. "Boy, what a relief to come home from work and don't have to cook up a meal yourself. I'm starved."
-- Meaningful and beautiful is what this quote is. Ray had made and cooked a bean meal for Japhy and brought it to him. Today, had anyone done this for anyone else I am aquanted with would find this very odd and would not be the least bit thankful. I suppose since Japhy is Buddist this might have something to do with his beign very grateful. It makes me happy to know that there are some people in the world who are grateful for what they have/get. Knowing that the characters int eh book prtray real people is a comfortign peice of information.
*"I sit and smoke a pipe and drink tea and hear the wind beat the slender eucalyptus limbs like whips and the cypress windrow roars."
-- This is in a letter Japhy wrote to Smith on his way over. To me this sounds like paradise because of the way he describes his life so casually. Not only does he get to lounge around all day and just lay back and relax on his little straw mats in California, but he gets to drink his calming tea and listen to the music mother nature supplies him with. That to me is ideal in the sense that I love nature and living organisms and sitting outside lounging around, all curled up and cuddled with my favorite drink sounds heavenly.
Page 166:
*"I cooked up a nice pot of beans for you." "You did?" He was tremendously grateful. "Boy, what a relief to come home from work and don't have to cook up a meal yourself. I'm starved."
-- Meaningful and beautiful is what this quote is. Ray had made and cooked a bean meal for Japhy and brought it to him. Today, had anyone done this for anyone else I am aquanted with would find this very odd and would not be the least bit thankful. I suppose since Japhy is Buddist this might have something to do with his beign very grateful. It makes me happy to know that there are some people in the world who are grateful for what they have/get. Knowing that the characters int eh book prtray real people is a comfortign peice of information.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Alcoholism
The abusive consumption of alcohol is known as alcoholism. Almost like a disease, the effects of alcohol on a body can be fatal. Not only do you put your liver to work in a way that over stresses your body, but you can also die from the poisoning. Alcoholism tends to be a problem for people who seem to be having social/personal problems. A person who has an abusive spouse, or abusive parentals tend to have more depression related problems which in turn leads to the alcohol. When a body shies away from social help and strays to alcohol in order to forget about their problems, then what that person needs is serious psycological help. The fact that a substance can take over a life is frightening. The fact that that substance can end a life is even more frightening. Alcohol has always been a favorite in the pleasure department. In the 1920's men would drink all the time in order to get drunk and go wild, beleiving that the drunker they were the more fun they would have. Today substance abuse still exists. This is shown in the novel "The Dharma Bums" as seen by man character Ray Smith who portrays the author himself, Jack Kerouac. Kerouac battled with alcohol in real life just like Smith portrays him to. Smith, when in conversations with another character, often refers back to wine. As you read you begin to see how much of an alcoholic Ray really is. Not only does he constantly rave about wine, but he constantly drinks it. One example of this is on page thirty seven where Ray and another character, Japhy, are discussing their plans about a mountain climb they want to take: "...Do we bring wine?" Ray asks this of Japhy due to his curiosity about what they are bringing. Japhy sort of chuckles and explains to Ray that that would not be an okay thing to do and Ray immediatley becomes dissapointed.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Sunday, April 15, 2007
The Dharma Bums-quote response
Page 122:
*: Everything is possible. I am God, I am Buddha, I am imperfect Ray Smith, all at the same time, I am empty space, I am all things. I have all the time in the world from life to life to do what is to do, to do what is done, to do the timeless doing, infinitely perfect within, why cry, why worry, perfect like mind essence and the minds of banana peels."
--Obviously Ray is on drugs or something when he says this becuase he seems to be making perfect sense and sounds very sophistaced and logical when out of nowhere he brings in banana peels as his metaphor. This makes no sense whatsoever and is completely bogus. The fact that he says this makes me smile though because it is really meaningful if you read it thoroughly.
Page 128:
*"That's my third knife this month those bastards stile from me."
--This is a funny quote from the guy that is hanging out with Ray. They are both once agian drunk and they had visited a whore house where a Mexican cop then came and took away the man's knife. It is funny because he had already had two knives taken away. One wonders why a man must have that many pocket knives.
*: Everything is possible. I am God, I am Buddha, I am imperfect Ray Smith, all at the same time, I am empty space, I am all things. I have all the time in the world from life to life to do what is to do, to do what is done, to do the timeless doing, infinitely perfect within, why cry, why worry, perfect like mind essence and the minds of banana peels."
--Obviously Ray is on drugs or something when he says this becuase he seems to be making perfect sense and sounds very sophistaced and logical when out of nowhere he brings in banana peels as his metaphor. This makes no sense whatsoever and is completely bogus. The fact that he says this makes me smile though because it is really meaningful if you read it thoroughly.
Page 128:
*"That's my third knife this month those bastards stile from me."
--This is a funny quote from the guy that is hanging out with Ray. They are both once agian drunk and they had visited a whore house where a Mexican cop then came and took away the man's knife. It is funny because he had already had two knives taken away. One wonders why a man must have that many pocket knives.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
The Dharma Bums-quote response
Page 94:
*" I had worked the blood clots right out of exixtance. I felt very happy."
-- Ray is talking about his bad circulation and his clotting again. Apparently his climbing the mountain had completely cleared the veins in his foot of all clots and so now he is therefore clot free. Smith is now ecstatic because he had always ahd a problem with blood clotting and now he's clear.
Page 96:
*" Good, I'll get Morley's car andbe over to get you first thing in the morning, but right now how about some of that wine?"
-- Ray says this to Coughlin after they are both already drunk. This shows, once again, how much of an alcoholic Ray Smith really is. In this story one of his particularly favorite drinks is wine and he is constantly talking about drinking it.
Page 118;
* "Just stand on your head three minutes a day, or mebbe five minutes. Every morning when I get up whether its's in a riverbottom or right on a train that's rollin along, I put a little mat on the floor and I stand on my head and count to five hundred, that's about three minutes ins't it?" "Just do that every day and your phlebitis will go away like my arthritis did."
-- A bum and Ray are discussing the factors of how to treat phlebitis. The funny thing is that Ray lets himself be taugh by a bum on how to cure himself. A completley sensible person would undertand that the process the bum explains is complete bullcrap. There is no way in heck that standing on your head could cure an inflammation on the inside of a vein wall. THis quote is funny because of the techniques shared.
*" I had worked the blood clots right out of exixtance. I felt very happy."
-- Ray is talking about his bad circulation and his clotting again. Apparently his climbing the mountain had completely cleared the veins in his foot of all clots and so now he is therefore clot free. Smith is now ecstatic because he had always ahd a problem with blood clotting and now he's clear.
Page 96:
*" Good, I'll get Morley's car andbe over to get you first thing in the morning, but right now how about some of that wine?"
-- Ray says this to Coughlin after they are both already drunk. This shows, once again, how much of an alcoholic Ray Smith really is. In this story one of his particularly favorite drinks is wine and he is constantly talking about drinking it.
Page 118;
* "Just stand on your head three minutes a day, or mebbe five minutes. Every morning when I get up whether its's in a riverbottom or right on a train that's rollin along, I put a little mat on the floor and I stand on my head and count to five hundred, that's about three minutes ins't it?" "Just do that every day and your phlebitis will go away like my arthritis did."
-- A bum and Ray are discussing the factors of how to treat phlebitis. The funny thing is that Ray lets himself be taugh by a bum on how to cure himself. A completley sensible person would undertand that the process the bum explains is complete bullcrap. There is no way in heck that standing on your head could cure an inflammation on the inside of a vein wall. THis quote is funny because of the techniques shared.
Monday, April 9, 2007
The Dharma Bums-quote response
Page 51:
*"No'm...just climbing Matterhorn." "Matterhorn, why I wouldn't do that if somebody paid me a thousand dollars!"
--This conversation is between Japhy and the waitress at the little restaurant that the men go to for breakfast. They are discussing why the men happen to be there since they are not dressed like hunters. When Japhy informs the woman of their destination and goal she is shocked. Not only does she scoff at him but then she hints that what they are trying to do is nearly impossible with her criticism. Not intending to come off as rude, however, the waitress is simply implying that what they are attempting to do is crazy because it will be a hard goal to reach. The men plan to follow through with climbing anyways which symbolizes that people should not be easily influenced by other's opinions unless they truly want that opinion. People should do as they please if there is a certain goal they desire to pursue.
Page 66:
* " Okay Smithee and now how's about we relax and enjoy ourselves and cook up some supper and wait for old Morleree?" So we unpack our packs and laid things out and smoked and had a good time.
-- Japhy says this when he and Ray are discussing how their hike went and is goign to continue. What strikes me as odd is that earlier in the novel, Smith had mentioned wine to Japhy and wondered whether he could bring that on their trip with them. Japhy had told Smith no because they wouldn't need it nor would they desire it. The fact that they wold desire some smokes as opposed to alcohol is interesting, however makes much more sense when it comes to carrying a heavy pack.
*"No'm...just climbing Matterhorn." "Matterhorn, why I wouldn't do that if somebody paid me a thousand dollars!"
--This conversation is between Japhy and the waitress at the little restaurant that the men go to for breakfast. They are discussing why the men happen to be there since they are not dressed like hunters. When Japhy informs the woman of their destination and goal she is shocked. Not only does she scoff at him but then she hints that what they are trying to do is nearly impossible with her criticism. Not intending to come off as rude, however, the waitress is simply implying that what they are attempting to do is crazy because it will be a hard goal to reach. The men plan to follow through with climbing anyways which symbolizes that people should not be easily influenced by other's opinions unless they truly want that opinion. People should do as they please if there is a certain goal they desire to pursue.
Page 66:
* " Okay Smithee and now how's about we relax and enjoy ourselves and cook up some supper and wait for old Morleree?" So we unpack our packs and laid things out and smoked and had a good time.
-- Japhy says this when he and Ray are discussing how their hike went and is goign to continue. What strikes me as odd is that earlier in the novel, Smith had mentioned wine to Japhy and wondered whether he could bring that on their trip with them. Japhy had told Smith no because they wouldn't need it nor would they desire it. The fact that they wold desire some smokes as opposed to alcohol is interesting, however makes much more sense when it comes to carrying a heavy pack.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
The Dharma Bums- quote response
Page 29:
* "Pretty girls make graves."
-- Referring to Ray's feelings on the topic of lust, this relates to the scene where Princess enters the cabin with the men, who are enticed by her. She is a young, blonde, twenty year old girl who likes to please the men, Japhy in particular. Ray used to be a man who loved women and was all about having fun, but having realized that death is the final outcome he decides to take the pure route in life and give his feelings towards lust up. That is why his philosophy is the above quote.
Page 42:
* "Is thrombophlebitis a peculiar rhythm for piss?"
-- Morely says this while Ray, Japhy, and himself are having a discussion. This quote just seemed to jump out because of the hilarity behind it. Not only is does this word have nothign to do with the process of elimination biologically speaking, but the fact that these three men in particular even brought the word thrombophlebitis up is quite comical.
* "Pretty girls make graves."
-- Referring to Ray's feelings on the topic of lust, this relates to the scene where Princess enters the cabin with the men, who are enticed by her. She is a young, blonde, twenty year old girl who likes to please the men, Japhy in particular. Ray used to be a man who loved women and was all about having fun, but having realized that death is the final outcome he decides to take the pure route in life and give his feelings towards lust up. That is why his philosophy is the above quote.
Page 42:
* "Is thrombophlebitis a peculiar rhythm for piss?"
-- Morely says this while Ray, Japhy, and himself are having a discussion. This quote just seemed to jump out because of the hilarity behind it. Not only is does this word have nothign to do with the process of elimination biologically speaking, but the fact that these three men in particular even brought the word thrombophlebitis up is quite comical.
The Dharma Bums- quote response
Page 5:
* "Practice charity without holding in mind any conceptions about charity, for charity after all is just a word."
-- Ray Smith, as we later find out is the main character's full name, reminds himself of this as he shares his wine, bread, and cheese with a true Dharma Bum he meets freight hopping. The bum happens to be eating sardines out of a can and therefore Ray feels inclined to share his offerings with the man. Ray does this happily and without thinking, though, which points to the quote that helping someone out is not a hassle. The word charity seems to influnece people's thinking that it is liek a chore to aid those less fortunate. The quote proves that is it quite the opposite in the sense that helping others should be fun and not a pain to do.
Page 18:
* "..that showed his belief in the simple monastic life-no chairs at all, not even one sentimental ricking chair, but just straw mats."
--Ray is describing Japhy's hut. The man seems to live with the bare necessities of life, literally. All that you find in the twelve by twelve home were straw mats, his ruck-sack with all of his pots and pans, a pair of never before worn, Japanese shoes, and a pair of socks. Other than that the house was pretty much empty. This is different from a typical modern home which tends to be overfurnished with many lavish items.
* "Practice charity without holding in mind any conceptions about charity, for charity after all is just a word."
-- Ray Smith, as we later find out is the main character's full name, reminds himself of this as he shares his wine, bread, and cheese with a true Dharma Bum he meets freight hopping. The bum happens to be eating sardines out of a can and therefore Ray feels inclined to share his offerings with the man. Ray does this happily and without thinking, though, which points to the quote that helping someone out is not a hassle. The word charity seems to influnece people's thinking that it is liek a chore to aid those less fortunate. The quote proves that is it quite the opposite in the sense that helping others should be fun and not a pain to do.
Page 18:
* "..that showed his belief in the simple monastic life-no chairs at all, not even one sentimental ricking chair, but just straw mats."
--Ray is describing Japhy's hut. The man seems to live with the bare necessities of life, literally. All that you find in the twelve by twelve home were straw mats, his ruck-sack with all of his pots and pans, a pair of never before worn, Japanese shoes, and a pair of socks. Other than that the house was pretty much empty. This is different from a typical modern home which tends to be overfurnished with many lavish items.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Are These Actual Miles - quote response
*Page 584:
"Leo has an urge to cry out a confession."
~ The narrator says this about Leo because he is remembering an occurance of last winter when he had brought another woman home while his wife and kids were away. The way the narrator shows how guilty Leo is feeling that the time proves that he really does love his wife even though he cheated on her.
*Page 590:
"They run everywhere in her flesh, dozens, perhaps hundreds of them. He remembers waking up the morning after they bought the car, seeing it, there in the drive, in the sun, gleaming."
~ In this quote the narrator is implying that Leo is stroking and thinking about his wife, Tony's, stretch marks. This in a sense is used as a metaphor because Leo is remembering when they first bought the car, which was a convertible. This is a nice, gleamy, new car. Perhaps he is remembering when he first met his wife? The way he describes Tony's body is that she is now all old, used up, and stretched out. The fact that he cheated on her symbolizes all of the miles that he and his wife have gone. Too many miles on an old car add up and the result is getting a new car with less miles. Maybe the woman he cheated on his wife was liek that new car? The first quote leads to how he feels awful about the cheating and this quote shows that he actually loved that car. The tie between the two seem to be that he loved both his wife and the car, but when he felt that they were old, he needed something new and enticing. When he starts to touch his wife's aged body and recalls the first day withthe convertible it shows his true compassion. The end of the story lead up to the symbolism and methaphorical meaning behind the title.
"Leo has an urge to cry out a confession."
~ The narrator says this about Leo because he is remembering an occurance of last winter when he had brought another woman home while his wife and kids were away. The way the narrator shows how guilty Leo is feeling that the time proves that he really does love his wife even though he cheated on her.
*Page 590:
"They run everywhere in her flesh, dozens, perhaps hundreds of them. He remembers waking up the morning after they bought the car, seeing it, there in the drive, in the sun, gleaming."
~ In this quote the narrator is implying that Leo is stroking and thinking about his wife, Tony's, stretch marks. This in a sense is used as a metaphor because Leo is remembering when they first bought the car, which was a convertible. This is a nice, gleamy, new car. Perhaps he is remembering when he first met his wife? The way he describes Tony's body is that she is now all old, used up, and stretched out. The fact that he cheated on her symbolizes all of the miles that he and his wife have gone. Too many miles on an old car add up and the result is getting a new car with less miles. Maybe the woman he cheated on his wife was liek that new car? The first quote leads to how he feels awful about the cheating and this quote shows that he actually loved that car. The tie between the two seem to be that he loved both his wife and the car, but when he felt that they were old, he needed something new and enticing. When he starts to touch his wife's aged body and recalls the first day withthe convertible it shows his true compassion. The end of the story lead up to the symbolism and methaphorical meaning behind the title.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
The Persistence Of Desire- quote response
• Page 562
o “And either she had grown slimmer or he had grown more tolerable of fat. Her thick ankles and the general obstinacy of her flesh used to goad him into being cruel.”
*This seems to be what the stereotypical human male predator finds attractive. Skinny girls with nice curves are the only things that appeal to them. When a man like this says he must have grown more tolerable of fat or that a woman must have slimmed down, this shows that the male is a shallow and arrogant creature. Today, the demand to be skinnier is even more pressured upon young, adolescent woman in the sense that skinny is sexy. A healthy weight woman might be considered chubby, or fat even. This quote shows the standards that men set for women in order to be loved.
• Page 565
o “Clyde was vain of his lashes, which in his boyhood had been exceptionally long, giving his face the alert and tender look of a girl’s.”
*Again, with this quote the reader sees that Clyde, the main character, is s selfish man who only thinks of his personal wants and needs. He had made a trip to his doctor because he had been noticing dust in his lashes, felt a tic, and had a twittering eyelid. After his diagnosis, he finds that he could potentially lose all of his lashes in his left eye. This worries Clyde, which in turn leads to the quote proving how conceded he really is
o “And either she had grown slimmer or he had grown more tolerable of fat. Her thick ankles and the general obstinacy of her flesh used to goad him into being cruel.”
*This seems to be what the stereotypical human male predator finds attractive. Skinny girls with nice curves are the only things that appeal to them. When a man like this says he must have grown more tolerable of fat or that a woman must have slimmed down, this shows that the male is a shallow and arrogant creature. Today, the demand to be skinnier is even more pressured upon young, adolescent woman in the sense that skinny is sexy. A healthy weight woman might be considered chubby, or fat even. This quote shows the standards that men set for women in order to be loved.
• Page 565
o “Clyde was vain of his lashes, which in his boyhood had been exceptionally long, giving his face the alert and tender look of a girl’s.”
*Again, with this quote the reader sees that Clyde, the main character, is s selfish man who only thinks of his personal wants and needs. He had made a trip to his doctor because he had been noticing dust in his lashes, felt a tic, and had a twittering eyelid. After his diagnosis, he finds that he could potentially lose all of his lashes in his left eye. This worries Clyde, which in turn leads to the quote proving how conceded he really is
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
The Death Of Justina- quote response
• Page 542:
o “On Saturday the doctor told me to stop smoking and drinking and I did.”
• This shows that the speaker liked to have his fun and have things taken off of his mind, but that in order to save his health he takes orders from the doctor to stop. The speaker thinks that smoking and drinking are fine and plenty of people do it and celebrate all the time, however he also thinks that since it will better him he should quit until he absolutely feels the need to feed his addictions, (such as a time of chaos like Justina’s untimely death.
• Page 543:
o “… Pierson had to leave early and I want you to write the last Elixircol commercial.” “… I can’t… Cousin Justina is dead.” “You write that commercial.”
• This is a shortened version of a conversation between the speaker and his boss. They are slightly arguing about a commercial that needs to be written but the speaking man has no time and is needed at home for a family emergency. The boss man says that the speaker may not leave until he has written the commercial and written it well. This infuriates the speaker but he sits down and writes the commercial in order to turn it in and go home immediately to his wife.
• Page 546:
o “… It seems that you can’t have a funeral home in zone B – you can’t bury anything there and you can’t die there.”
• The speaker had called the doctor about Cousin Justina and her cadaver. What the doctor told the speaking man was not good news and also illogically absurd. He sums it up by saying that there are different zones people live in and in that particular zone, (B), you are simply not allowed to die or get buried because that is what the law says. There are other laws and rules in the other zones as well but since Justina died illegally in zone B there was nothing that he could do except give advice about calling the mayor and asking for
o “On Saturday the doctor told me to stop smoking and drinking and I did.”
• This shows that the speaker liked to have his fun and have things taken off of his mind, but that in order to save his health he takes orders from the doctor to stop. The speaker thinks that smoking and drinking are fine and plenty of people do it and celebrate all the time, however he also thinks that since it will better him he should quit until he absolutely feels the need to feed his addictions, (such as a time of chaos like Justina’s untimely death.
• Page 543:
o “… Pierson had to leave early and I want you to write the last Elixircol commercial.” “… I can’t… Cousin Justina is dead.” “You write that commercial.”
• This is a shortened version of a conversation between the speaker and his boss. They are slightly arguing about a commercial that needs to be written but the speaking man has no time and is needed at home for a family emergency. The boss man says that the speaker may not leave until he has written the commercial and written it well. This infuriates the speaker but he sits down and writes the commercial in order to turn it in and go home immediately to his wife.
• Page 546:
o “… It seems that you can’t have a funeral home in zone B – you can’t bury anything there and you can’t die there.”
• The speaker had called the doctor about Cousin Justina and her cadaver. What the doctor told the speaking man was not good news and also illogically absurd. He sums it up by saying that there are different zones people live in and in that particular zone, (B), you are simply not allowed to die or get buried because that is what the law says. There are other laws and rules in the other zones as well but since Justina died illegally in zone B there was nothing that he could do except give advice about calling the mayor and asking for
The Swimmer: quote response
page 1:
"I drank too much last night."
*This quote helps leads into the story because as you keep reading, you learn that nobody stops drinking. Everyone parties all day long on Sundays and then seems to enjoy bragging and/or complaining about it. This quote alsoin some ways shows similarities to the teenage world today. Underage drinking promotes health problems in most teens and after a night of hardcore partying, the teenager might say the exact same thing: "I drank too much last night". They say this because of the fact that they were too smashed to function properly or because they have a severe hang over, in which they do not wish their parents to find out about. In essence, this quote clarifies and understood statement that drinking is a re-occurring problem in many societies.
page 9:
"...then looking in at the windows, saw that the place was empty."
*Neddy mentions several times to the readers that he doesn't remember things very well and he can't seem to keep his memories straight. This is why he keeps needign a drink here and there in order to keep him awake and energized so he can remeber things. On his way home he hears a few things that make him question his memory and notices things that make him curious as to why they happened. When he finally reaches the designated house, he finds that it is completely empty and then the story ends. This makes the reader wonder if Ned finally remembers how long ago it really was that he cheated on his wife and got a divorce, losing the house and his family.
"I drank too much last night."
*This quote helps leads into the story because as you keep reading, you learn that nobody stops drinking. Everyone parties all day long on Sundays and then seems to enjoy bragging and/or complaining about it. This quote alsoin some ways shows similarities to the teenage world today. Underage drinking promotes health problems in most teens and after a night of hardcore partying, the teenager might say the exact same thing: "I drank too much last night". They say this because of the fact that they were too smashed to function properly or because they have a severe hang over, in which they do not wish their parents to find out about. In essence, this quote clarifies and understood statement that drinking is a re-occurring problem in many societies.
page 9:
"...then looking in at the windows, saw that the place was empty."
*Neddy mentions several times to the readers that he doesn't remember things very well and he can't seem to keep his memories straight. This is why he keeps needign a drink here and there in order to keep him awake and energized so he can remeber things. On his way home he hears a few things that make him question his memory and notices things that make him curious as to why they happened. When he finally reaches the designated house, he finds that it is completely empty and then the story ends. This makes the reader wonder if Ned finally remembers how long ago it really was that he cheated on his wife and got a divorce, losing the house and his family.
Monday, March 26, 2007
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