film or text?

Today in class we viewed a clip based on the text Othello- we followed the viewing with a discussion of the pros and cons of film VS the actual text.  When I read a book and it comes out in a movie I usually dislike the movie because it is so different from what i imagined, although in this specific case, I really think i benefitted from seeing the film. It was really cool seeing the story put to action in a different way than i had imagined- I also thought the characters did a great job of expressing the emotion the scene. 

On a side note, SMC offered a free viewing of Twilight this past weekend, and i was super excited to go see it- although, after i saw it I was extremely disappointed - (with one exception: edward cullen) - I don't feel like the movie did the book justice at all. Although the characters seemed to be chosen well, i feel the story wasn't half as exciting on film as it was on paper.  I think this is interesting because I had the exact opposite reaction to Twilight on film than i did to Othello on film.  

What are your thoughts? Did you prefer the film over the text?

necessity of the villain

As I read Othello, I began to become very frustrated with the character Iago.  I couldn't understand why any of the characters couldn't see through his manipulative ways.  He somehow has the power to gain Othello's trust , which is a talent in itself.  Although it was my natural tendency to dislike Iago, I came to realization that this story would not have nearly as much substance with out his character.  Although Iago does not use his power for good, he still finds ways to control the other characters like puppets.  Do you think the story would be as interesting with out his character? Could stories (even movies) be interesting if they didn't involve a villain? So basically, although I dislike Iago's character, i have realized that Iago has to exist for the story to work. What are your thoughts? Do you agree? 

girl interrupted

The movie Girl Interrupted is not one of my favorites, although i was glad we watched it because i felt it related to the topics we were discussing in class and it helped me develop my understanding about the issues women were dealing with at the time (and still are dealing with today)-  The reason i said it is not one of my favorites is because i feel it has a dark mood, which is definitely inevitable considering the topics being covered- although whenever i watch it i always come out feeling saddened. Do you ever experience similar emotions when watching this movie? Anyway, despite the dark mood of the movie, i think it was beneficial to watch because it was very informative of how problems were viewed upon at the time.  (Susanna's mother did a great job portraying the embarrassment a parent may feel in fear of society's reaction to the situation) 

One of my favorite parts about Girl Interrupted was watching Susanna morph throughout the movie.  When she arrived at McLean Hosptial she viewed her fellow patients as FREAKS, although with time she began to accept them and love them, eventually characterizing herself as one of them.(OTHER PATIENTS -->FREAKS --> FRIENDS)  The scene where Toby was trying to convince her to flee to Canada was a great indication of her dedication to her new group of friends.  The bond she had with these girls was especially special because all of them were completely exposed to each other- which is something we do not see often.  

yellow wallpaper

The Yellow Wallpaper

While reading Gilman's piece I began to wonder about the relationship between the narrator and her husband John. Throughout the story, John (the doctor), discouraged the narrator to do anything besides lay in bed and REST.  He took it upon his own authority to cage her up in a room and wouldn't allow her to stimulate her mind whatsoever.  No wonder this lady went insane. 

We can see his discouraging attitude on page 370 when the narrator states " There comes john, i must put this away, - he hates to have me write a word." What kind of doctor actually believes that writing could affect her condition negatively?  

In a way, it makes me wonder if his actions of trying to supposedly heal her, were really actions trying to restrain her from expressing herself as more than just a housewife, but as an intellectual.  Would the doctor actually be threatened by the idea of his "little girl" becoming something more? I think so. 

Do you think this idea is still prevalent in today's society?  

ROOMZZZ

At the conclusion of Chapter 3, Woolf addresses the college women in her "audience," remarking that they have "got themselves to college and enjoy sitting rooms- or is it bed-sitting rooms-- of (their) own" (56).  As a women in college, what are your reactions to Woolf's ideas about the importance of having rooms to your own? What are your own relationships to your dorm rooms, bedrooms, or campus study rooms?

To be completely honest, I have never really thought a lot about the importance of having my own room before I read this book.  Growing up with only brothers, I was always given a room to my own.  It was until I came to SMC where I had the experience of sharing a room.  Sharing a room for the first time in my life was an awesome experience.  We both took our own inspirations and decorated the room to fit both of our personalities.  The room was a place for us to relax and escape from the busyness outside.  Visitors would flow in and out of our room, giving it excitement but also maintaining a sense of coziness.  

This year, I moved into a house, providing me with my own room once again.  My room is the one place in the house I have total control over.  I love the feeling I have when I enter my room, I have decorated it with my own art from previous years, as well as pictures of family and friends.  The natural lighting from the large window, and the soft colors on my bedspread provide me with a relaxed state of mind. I don't think I ever really appreciated having a room to my own enough before I had the experience of sharing my room with a roommate.  After analyzing Woolf's ideas regarding the importance of a room to your own, I realized that a room is a lot more special than I thought.  A room gives you the ability to explore and discover new ideas and thoughts with out the pressure of any outside forces surrounding you.  My room is the main place I am most entitled to think or do whatever I please.  How do you feel about your room? 

my writing is like a tornado 

i pick up ideas from all around me gathering them into a funnel-like windwhirl

my writing is like a tornado 

my thoughts have the tendency to twist and turn in different directions

my writing is like a tornado 

it could last up to five minutes, or five hours 

the end.