Responses to The Prowl By Gregory Frost

Goldie Barajas

English 1B

4/27/11

Responses to The Prowl

By Gregory Frost

1.      Summary or Theme: What is the story about?

            The story The Prowl by Gregory Frost is a story of the survival and life of John during slavery.

2.      Setting:

            The setting of this story is 1783, Charleston, South Carolina. During slavery.

3.      Point of View:

            The point of view of this story is 1^st person, single narrator (John)

4.      Main Characters: Protagonist and Antagonist

            As far as the Protagonist I would say it is John, and the Antagonist, a social force/slavery.

5.      Main Conflict type:

            External: person vs. social force

            John vs. Slavery

6.      What is the protagonist main struggle in this story?

            The protagonist’ main struggle in this story is to stay alive in a world in which he is owned by a white person, forced to work plantations, with sanitary needs not met and with the fear of dying anytime; either for not eating well, over working or being shot by a white person. He is basically struggling to survive, “Survival of the Fittest”  comes very well in place here.

7.      My reaction to this story:

            I must say this story captured my attention from beginning to end because the structure of the introduction, plot, and conclusion tight in together to leave me reflecting on the story. I loved how the introduction is very different from any other, here the author does a good job at pointing out some stereotypes placed upon slaves and he states they are not true. Moreover, as I finished reading, I was enthralled. I was amazed by the abilities of palatyi. This character was a slave as well but he managed to do what he pleased although enslaved. I thought this to be clever; it reminded me of a trickster character, in which the trickster always finds his ways to get what he wants. Nevertheless, I thought this story to be worth reading, it made me reflect on freedom. Palatyi’s character taught me a lesson. He taught me through his actions that freedom is something so complex that sometimes when you think you don’t have it, you do, and maybe when you think you do, you don’t. But the only person that can free you mentally is you, from then on you are freed any way you want to be.

Responses to Chapter 4, from the novel The Gilda Stories By Jewelle Gomez

 

Goldie Barajas 

English 15 

4/20/11

Responses to Chapter 4, from the novel

The Gilda Stories

By Jewelle Gomez

• In chapter 4, from the novel The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez, we find Gilda living in the South End of Boston; she is no longer in San Francisco/ Yerba Buena. At the opening of the chapter we find out that Gilda owns a beauty shop. 
• As far as characters we see old and we are introduced to new ones in this chapter. Characters we have met before include: Gilda and Bird. We learn that Gilda has moved from homes and that she now owns a beauty shop. We also learn that Gilda has come to be wiser ever since Bird left. Gilda has come to learn some of the lessons of life in being a vampire. Such as: the importance "of healing the past" (pg.141) In addition, Bird finally comes back in this chapter and we learn that she has never fully let go of Gilda. Bird has always been there in thoughts watching after her. Perhaps, we get a better insight into Bird's value for Gilda. 
• Nevertheless, in this chapter we are introduced to new characters. We learn about Savannah, Toya, Fox, and Skip. Savannah is one of Gilda's customers at the beauty shop. She is also Skip's lover. Skip is one that used to inject himself with heroin or still does we do not know that for sure. Toya is a young girl running away from Fox, the antagonist, that is trying to kill her for leaving him. Fox is also a vampire, a bad one of course.
• In conclusion, the main conflict driving the story is an external conflict, person vs. person. The conflict is between Gilda and Fox. Gilda is struggling to save Toya's life since Fox is trying to kill Toya and whoever gets in his way of doing so. By the end of the chapter, the conflict is resolved. Gilda succeeds at ending with Fox's life, freeing Toya from him. 

African American Storytelling: Traits of a Trickster Character

Goldie Barajas

English 1B

4/18/11

African American Storytelling: Traits of a Trickster Character

            A Trickster character is a mischievous figure in myth or folklore that typically make up for physical weaknesses with cunning and subversive humor. The Trickster alternates between cleverness and stupidity, kindness, and cruelty, deceiver and deceived, breaker of taboos and creator of culture. In other words a Trickster always finds its way to get out of an unwanted situation by outsmarting people or using tricks. A Trickster acts on behalf of his own personal benefit. Nevertheless, some of character traits of a Trickster are:

·         Fearless

·         Optimistic

·         Creative

·         Cheater

·         Successful

·         Intelligent

·         Daredevil

·         Trouble maker/laughs at trouble/ enjoys trouble

·         Quick mentally

·         Selfish

In conclusion, Tricksters teach us lessons. So, at the end they are not all ba

Reflection on the play The Colored Museum By George C. Wolfe

Goldie Barajas

English 1B

4/12/11

Reflection on the play The Colored Museum

By George C. Wolfe

            I must say I thought of this peace of writing as a magnificent peace of art. When at first my English 1B Professor Lennon, announced we would be reading the play The Colored Museum, I right away expected the usual format of a play to appear (Intro, plot, conclusion, antagonist, protagonist etc.) but I was astonished and surprised when the play turned out to be exhibits describing the complexity of African American culture.  I must say I loved the play! The usage of satire, irony, is excellently structured in this peace. It was a challenge to understand the meaning behind just words, but I enjoyed the challenge. If I could give the Novel Prize to George C. Wolfe for best literally work, I would. His work is a reminder to society, including myself, of the complexity African Americans have within trying to claim their identity. It is also a universal reminder that one must “.. break out of the… egg and start to live.”

Responses to “Permutations” from the play The Colored Museum By George C. Wolfe

Goldie Barajas

English 1B

4/6/11

Responses to “Permutations” from the play

The Colored Museum

By George C. Wolfe

Ÿ  Themes and Conflicts

            “Permutations” is the 9^th exhibit of the play The Colored Museum by George C. Wolfe. The name “Permutations” for this exhibit is very appropriate since it means, the act of transforming or arranging the order of elements in a different order than its original form. This title in relation to the exhibit means that the author will present us with an exhibit that will talk about some sort of change and arrangement of things having to do with the African American experience, in other words it is rising up the idea of “breaking out” of some “ism” or oppression.  As far as themes within this exhibit, I see the themes of: identity, trashing, and assimilation. All of these themes have indeed been touched on in previous exhibits. For example: trashing and identity in “Symbiosis”  and assimilation in “The Photo Session.”

Ÿ  Symbolism

            Symbolically, Normal Jean, can represent the African American girl that is willing to go against the grain and fight to “break out” of white supremacy. Next, we have the garbage man, the garbage man can symbolically represent the black past that African Americans have “trashed” “discarded and disowned” in order to conform to the white way of living. The garbage man can represent the agricultural man that once was enslaved, forced into free labor or that simply worked hard to earn a living. Now, Norma’s mom serves as a perfect example of the theme of assimilation. She is trying to forget the past and by Norma being involved with someone related to the past is very shameful for the mother. She indeed dares to lock Norma up. As far as the white egg, it symbolizes black people living oppressed by society‘s white people. This is ironic because Norma’s babies are definitely not white but black which means the egg should be black instead of white.

Ÿ  Interpretation

            The quote “it’s not everyday a bunch of babies break outta a white egg and start to live” means that is it not ordinary for black people to break out of racism, or white supremacy to start living upon their own standards not the ones white people have set up for them. It really means revolution or change in the way society has been structured. So what Norma Jean is trying to say here is that her babies will try to break out of the oppression white people have set upon them and that black culture will be honored and no longer “trashed, or disowned.” 

Giovanni

Goldie Barajas

English 15 Literature & Society

3/24/11

Giovanni

            In the novel Giovanni’s Room, by James Baldwin, the narrator David is struggling in finding himself while being “caught between desire and conventional morality.” It is the 1950’s and he lives in Paris, France, the city that would face him face to face with a man that would become one of his love affairs. A man named Giovanni. Giovanni is a bar tender at Guillaume‘s bar. In that bar is where Giovanni and David meet. After having some drinks and closing the bar Giovanni, David, Guillaume, and Jacques head up to Les Halles to have breakfast the following day. The four of them end up having breakfast in the bar Giovanni previously worked in. Nevertheless, Giovanni’s interaction with David and his dialogue in this bar is what makes it possible for me, as a reader, to learn about Giovanni and grasp an impression of him.

            As reading, Part 1, Chapter 3 of this novel, I found out that Giovanni is not a French citizen and that he indeed has used Guillaume for his personal benefit. Guillaume is the owner of the bar in which Giovanni currently works. But before Giovanni had this job he had nothing. He was unemployed and without a carte de travail, a work permit required to non-citizens in order to work in France. Giovanni, on page 61 of the novel, clearly states that the only reason he attended super with Guillaume a few days later, after meeting him in a cinema, was because“ I had not eaten for a long time…dinner was awful, of course…but by this time I knew he owned a bar and was a French citizen. I am not and I had no job and no carte de travail. So I saw that he could be useful.” Giovanni has only used Guillaume and nothing more. He indeed tolerates Guillaume’s dramatic attitude just to keep his job, and his carte de travail. I know this because he tells David that Guillaume, “is really not a man at all, I do not know what he is, he is horrible. But I will keep my carte de travail…and I do now have a job, which pays very well.”  This showing that his relationship with Guillaume is not based on real friendship but on simple interest.

            In addition, reading this information revealed to me Giovanni’s value for his job, work permit, and money.  He values this so much that he is willing to put up with Guillaume’s attitude that often times involves Guillaume making up something to get mad at Giovanni about. Nevertheless, these dialogues also made me have the impression that Giovanni is a very astute man that uses people in order to obtain what he wants.

            Not only does Giovanni use Guillaume for his own personal benefit but he manages to have sex with David in his room. He flirts with David from the very moment they meet and after leaving the bar he insists on David accompanying him to his place. He gives David many reasons why he shouldn’t go back to his hotel. One of these reasons is as Giovanni says, “Come. I am sure that I am much prettier than your wallpaper-or your concierge. I will smile at you. They will not.” David keeps on giving Giovanni excuses not to go with him but at last Giovanni convinces him  by saying, “It is you who are vache, to want to leave me alone in this lonely place when you know that I am far too drunk to reach home unaided.” Giovanni here shows his persistence and self-confidence, which I see as two character traits of his. I conclude this because although David is giving him many excuses not go to his place, Giovanni does not give up and keeps on insisting. Being very self-confident that at the end David will end up saying yes. In addition, tolerance can also be another character trait of his because as mentioned before he tolerates Guillaume’s absurd behavior all the time.

            Furthermore, I can describe Giovanni as an outgoing, determined, persistent, self-confident man from what I have read in Part 1, Chapter 3. As reading this chapter, I never saw Giovanni doubtful or conflicted by anything. He portrays himself in a very optimistic manner with such enthusiasm that makes me, as a reader, feel joyful and positive about life. He makes me want to visit France even more.

Some Essentials for Having a Healthy Relationship

Goldie Barajas

English 15

4/1/11

Some Essentials for Having a Healthy Relationship    

• Trust: In order to start a healthy relationship with someone else, either female or male, one must have trust. Trust is being able to open up completely to the person you love without any fear of being black mailed or judged. One must be able to trust that person enough to have no secrets between each other and to be able to hold that person accountable when needed.

• Love:  If there is no love then there is no happiness. I definitely think love is a “must have” when in a relationship. If there is no love then what is the point of being together. Love should unite those two individuals together not money, or social forces. Love is what keeps the relationship alive and healthy most of the time.

• Compromise: One must be able to compromise with that significant other because when one does come to agreements with that person then stress is relieved and the relationship is much more enjoyable. When differences between each other are cleared up and both individuals have come to an agreement for the well being of both then you can start seeing the relationship couldn’t go better and that the person you love can be reliable.

• Faithfulness: Being true and real with your partner is very significant and important. If you want a healthy relationship then you must learn to be faithful and just keep your eyes on one person unless she/he is okay with you not making him/her your priority. It is always the case though that a healthy relationship is about two individuals not three or more. So, keep in mind that if you want things to go great then just stick to one person! And respect your partner and the love of each other by staying faithful, no cheating.

•  Communication: Excellent communication is essential. There is nothing worse than having miscommunication problems. It is important to know how to communicate one’s thoughts, feelings, and opinions to that special loved one if you want to be understood when there is conflict or when there is the need for you to give your opinion on something. Often times partners argue or go for days without talking because of a misunderstanding such as “He/she did not call me today. That means he/she does not care about me. Fine I won’t care either.” This kind of thinking allows for conflict to arise in a relationship because one is not allowing the other person to explain his/her self. Therefore, it is important to let your loved one know how you feel about a situation rather than making your own assumptions.

In conclusion, there are a thousand more essentials needed for a healthy relationship but regardless of anything one must learn to love and accept one’s self first before anything else. Consequently,  if you make that relationship one of your priorities and give it your all it is sure to turn out a healthy one, in my opinion. Nevertheless, never stop loving!

Responses to “Cooking with Aunt Ethel” From the book The Colored Museum By George C. Wolfe

Goldie Barajas

English 1B

4/1/11

Responses to “Cooking with Aunt Ethel”

From the book The Colored Museum

By George C. Wolfe

            1) Culture:

The “Blues” is a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the Deep South of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads.

2) Symbolism and Satire:

Aunt Ethel, in the exhibit “Cooking with Aunt Ethel” from the play The Colored Museum by George C. Wolfe, represents the stereotype of being an Aunt Jemima. Being an Aunt Jemima refers to a friendly black woman who is perceived as respectfully acting in, or protective of, the interests of whites. An Aunt Jemima embodied an early twentieth century woman that idealized domesticity that was inspired by old southern hospitality.  As far as the “ism” Aunt Ethel symbolizes it is racism because throughout her cooking blues song she is describing the supposed “traits” African Americans have judging from their race and cultural background. I think the author is satirizing this “ism” in order make the reader realize the complexity of African American Culture and its music which does not come in one style but many and it emphasizes on social political issues.

3) Cultural Allusions:

As far as the ingredients identified in the song as being part of the African American culture there are many, but some are: the preoccupation of females in regards with their hair, the attitude African Americans have, rage, heap of survival, humility, humor, madness, salty language, and the blues. In addition, the song presented to us here is a Blues song.

4) Theme and Conflicts:

The words in stanza 7 “Discard and Disown” are referring to the action of forgetting and the disownment of the African American culture ingredients, or components. I conclude this because it seems as if all the traits of African Americans have been marked by what they have been told through white people not what African Americans really consider themselves to be. As far as the theme of African Americans finding their identities it is sounded in this song throughout the song because as we start Aunt Ethel is trying to define all the components of an African Americans or in other words what makes African Americans who they are. But as she finds herself giving us, the reader, those ingredients, I noticed, the complexity of every stanza. For example: stanza 4 talks about the fight for survival and the humility felt defended with attitude and this leading to conflict. In conclusion, in this exhibit I see the conflict of African Americans trying to find their identity which has been fragmented by the “isms” and the forms in which they have been oppressed all these years. I definitely think this theme will be presented to us throughout the play.

5) Interpretation:

I think the “you” Aunt Ethel is speaking to in the line “But don’t ask me what to do with’em not that you cot’em, cause child, that’s your problem” is to the African American women watching her supposed cooking show. The stereotype of African American women having many children and getting pregnant is what it is implied in this line.