by J
1 Leaps and bounds from branch to branch,
2 follows the body in zigzags, figure eights, skips.
3 Sticks like glue,
4 relentless to lug or tug.
5 Becomes munificent with each passing day.
6 A pesky, perturbing object.
7 Growing…
8 Then, shedding its mass of unwieldy locks:
9 Glancing back
10 Nothing!?
11 Shaking, shivering without it:
12 Pests, we cannot live without.
Showing posts with label Author: Jiayun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Author: Jiayun. Show all posts
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Book Review: Oedipus the King (Sophocles)
by Jiayun
Oedipus Rex is part of a Greek Tragedy Trilogy. The plot encompasses incest, suicide, power, and fate. To be able to understand the play, one must know the events, which lead up to this tragedy:
Oedipus’ father, Liaus, is the king of Thebes. Unfortunately Apollo cursed his lineage because his relatives had killed Apollo’s favorite snake. As a result, Liaus was doomed a cursed fate from the beginning. Sure enough, Liaus receives a terrible oracle from the Gods: his son would murder him, and his son would sleep with his mother. Liaus is obviously shocked and sickened by this prediction, so he hurries home to tell his wife Jocasta that they must never have any children. However, Jocasta is already pregnant.
After Jocasta gives birth to Oedipus, his parents jam a stick through his ankles and give his to a one of their servants, who is to place the poor baby upon a mountain and await death. Being a kind-hearted man, the servant gives Oedipus to another servant from the neighboring city. This man gives Oedipus to the king and queen of this city who are barren. So Oedipus grows up as the prince of another city, unknowing to his tragic fate.
Needless to say, this play is definitely interesting and captivating. The incest is a bit disturbing, but it was a good play overall.
Oedipus Rex is part of a Greek Tragedy Trilogy. The plot encompasses incest, suicide, power, and fate. To be able to understand the play, one must know the events, which lead up to this tragedy:
Oedipus’ father, Liaus, is the king of Thebes. Unfortunately Apollo cursed his lineage because his relatives had killed Apollo’s favorite snake. As a result, Liaus was doomed a cursed fate from the beginning. Sure enough, Liaus receives a terrible oracle from the Gods: his son would murder him, and his son would sleep with his mother. Liaus is obviously shocked and sickened by this prediction, so he hurries home to tell his wife Jocasta that they must never have any children. However, Jocasta is already pregnant.
After Jocasta gives birth to Oedipus, his parents jam a stick through his ankles and give his to a one of their servants, who is to place the poor baby upon a mountain and await death. Being a kind-hearted man, the servant gives Oedipus to another servant from the neighboring city. This man gives Oedipus to the king and queen of this city who are barren. So Oedipus grows up as the prince of another city, unknowing to his tragic fate.
Needless to say, this play is definitely interesting and captivating. The incest is a bit disturbing, but it was a good play overall.
Book Review: The Razor's Edge (W. Somerset Maugham)
by Jiayun
Imagine religion, satire, social status, London, and Paris in one novel! That's what The Razor's Edge is made of. The story is told by Mr. Maugham himself - he describes the lives of four major characters: Larry, Isabel, Gray, and Elliott.
Larry is an idealistic young man who searches for his identity and belief in God. His fiancée, Isabel, is the exact opposite of him. Instead of enjoying the simple aspects of life, she must have the most expensive material goods a person can have. Her taste of luxury destroys her engagement to Larry. In this sense, the novel is an excellent study of relationships between humans. Unfortunately for Isabel, she is unable to realize the true meaning of love. By settling down with the wealthy man, Gray, she never finds the true meaning to a fulfilling life.
Elliott is by far the most arrogant snob I have ever read about in a novel. However, he somehow possesses traits which detract the reader from his haughtiness. Maugham masterfully portrays Elliott with sentiment. In the end, Elliott becomes a person the reader can identify with.
French is a minor part of the novel. Words such as: mon cher, monsier, and patron are common. Although there are some phrases, which are a bit strange, one can grasp the general gist of the novel. For those French lovers out there, there is an extremely memorable conversation between a prostitute and her boyfriend.
Overall, the novel challenges the differences between idealism and realism and the concept of love.
Imagine religion, satire, social status, London, and Paris in one novel! That's what The Razor's Edge is made of. The story is told by Mr. Maugham himself - he describes the lives of four major characters: Larry, Isabel, Gray, and Elliott.
Larry is an idealistic young man who searches for his identity and belief in God. His fiancée, Isabel, is the exact opposite of him. Instead of enjoying the simple aspects of life, she must have the most expensive material goods a person can have. Her taste of luxury destroys her engagement to Larry. In this sense, the novel is an excellent study of relationships between humans. Unfortunately for Isabel, she is unable to realize the true meaning of love. By settling down with the wealthy man, Gray, she never finds the true meaning to a fulfilling life.
Elliott is by far the most arrogant snob I have ever read about in a novel. However, he somehow possesses traits which detract the reader from his haughtiness. Maugham masterfully portrays Elliott with sentiment. In the end, Elliott becomes a person the reader can identify with.
French is a minor part of the novel. Words such as: mon cher, monsier, and patron are common. Although there are some phrases, which are a bit strange, one can grasp the general gist of the novel. For those French lovers out there, there is an extremely memorable conversation between a prostitute and her boyfriend.
Overall, the novel challenges the differences between idealism and realism and the concept of love.
Book Review: Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (Die Sijie)
by Jiayun
Set during the height of the Cultural Revolution in China, this is an amazing story about two boys and their struggles. Because their parents are labeled as "enemies of the government" in China, Luo and the author (the other character) are forced to a secluded village on a mountain. The government expects them to be "re-educated," which is a process where their minds are brainwashed. As these two teens become more and more depressed, they find sanctuary from foreign books. Although these books are illegal, they somehow read and educate themselves with these (read the book to find out how they find them!). As they are re-educated, they become friends with a beautiful seamstress.
Although this story is about the Cultural Revolution, it is also about the mental and physical growth of teenagers. And yes, this includes human sexuality - there are some implicit references.
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in Chinese culture and/or history. For people who are emotionally connected to book characters, this is definitely for you. For those people who have little time on their hands, like me, this book only takes about 3- 4 hours to finish!
Set during the height of the Cultural Revolution in China, this is an amazing story about two boys and their struggles. Because their parents are labeled as "enemies of the government" in China, Luo and the author (the other character) are forced to a secluded village on a mountain. The government expects them to be "re-educated," which is a process where their minds are brainwashed. As these two teens become more and more depressed, they find sanctuary from foreign books. Although these books are illegal, they somehow read and educate themselves with these (read the book to find out how they find them!). As they are re-educated, they become friends with a beautiful seamstress.
Although this story is about the Cultural Revolution, it is also about the mental and physical growth of teenagers. And yes, this includes human sexuality - there are some implicit references.
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in Chinese culture and/or history. For people who are emotionally connected to book characters, this is definitely for you. For those people who have little time on their hands, like me, this book only takes about 3- 4 hours to finish!
Book Review: Rebecca (Daphne du Maurier)
by Jiayun
This is a truly gothic story about a widow who re-marries and is haunted by the death of his former wife. The main character, Maxim is a wealthy Englishman who falls in love with a young woman named Caroline. After marrying Caroline, Maxim moves back to Manderley (his home). He thinks his new marriage will create a new beginning for him; unfortunately, Maxim is very much mistaken.
As Caroline adjusts to her new life at Manderley the body of Maxim's former wife, Rebecca is discovered. Can Maxim's second marriage survive this astonishing find? What will become of Caroline after she learns the truth?
Rebecca was written to be a dark novel (hence the meaning gothic). This is definitely not a story for people who enjoy happy-ever-after endings. Frankly, the book was a bit boring, although there were a few moments of great excitement. Mrs. Danvers was a fascinating woman! She created a sense of foreboding and mystery in the story, which made the book worthwhile to read.
This is a truly gothic story about a widow who re-marries and is haunted by the death of his former wife. The main character, Maxim is a wealthy Englishman who falls in love with a young woman named Caroline. After marrying Caroline, Maxim moves back to Manderley (his home). He thinks his new marriage will create a new beginning for him; unfortunately, Maxim is very much mistaken.
As Caroline adjusts to her new life at Manderley the body of Maxim's former wife, Rebecca is discovered. Can Maxim's second marriage survive this astonishing find? What will become of Caroline after she learns the truth?
Rebecca was written to be a dark novel (hence the meaning gothic). This is definitely not a story for people who enjoy happy-ever-after endings. Frankly, the book was a bit boring, although there were a few moments of great excitement. Mrs. Danvers was a fascinating woman! She created a sense of foreboding and mystery in the story, which made the book worthwhile to read.
Book Review: Dracula (Bram Stoker)
by Jiayun
Although is novel is a classic, I do not suggest it! It was completely boring. In fact, I fell asleep halfway into the novel. How did Stoker create such a boring novel about vampires? Do not be completely discouraged; some people think this is a great piece of literature.
Although is novel is a classic, I do not suggest it! It was completely boring. In fact, I fell asleep halfway into the novel. How did Stoker create such a boring novel about vampires? Do not be completely discouraged; some people think this is a great piece of literature.
Book Review: The Awakening (Kate Chopin)
by J
The Awakening is a truly great novel by Chopin. The story tells the tale of a woman by the name of Edna and her struggle to find an independent identity, separate from the rest of society.
It takes place in St. Louis and vacation islands off the cost of Louisiana. Chopin brilliantly depicts the Creole* society at the time when feminism began to take shape. Edna Pontieller begins as an ordinary, dependent Creole woman. She is an obedient "object" for her husband to direct. However, her meeting with Robert Leburn greatly changes her attitude toward herself and her husband. Robert awakens an infatuation (read the book to decide if it's an infatuation or true love) within Edna, beginning her quest for independence.
Chopin uses Edna as the archetype of a woman trying to find her own place in the world. The book offers a wonder analysis into the mind of a feminist woman. As a constantly changing character, Edna has several awakenings. In the first one, she experiences the feeling of uninhibited freedom. Chopin also utilizes Adele Ratignolle, Edna's friend, as an interesting contrast to Edna.
Unfortunately, Chopin was never able to see her masterpiece read by the masses. After publishing The Awakening, many public stores and facilities banned the book from their shelves because of vulgar content. Now The Awakening is one of the most read books in high schools and colleges around the country!
* Creole -- a person of Spanish or French descent, usually considered people of the upper class
The Awakening is a truly great novel by Chopin. The story tells the tale of a woman by the name of Edna and her struggle to find an independent identity, separate from the rest of society.
It takes place in St. Louis and vacation islands off the cost of Louisiana. Chopin brilliantly depicts the Creole* society at the time when feminism began to take shape. Edna Pontieller begins as an ordinary, dependent Creole woman. She is an obedient "object" for her husband to direct. However, her meeting with Robert Leburn greatly changes her attitude toward herself and her husband. Robert awakens an infatuation (read the book to decide if it's an infatuation or true love) within Edna, beginning her quest for independence.
Chopin uses Edna as the archetype of a woman trying to find her own place in the world. The book offers a wonder analysis into the mind of a feminist woman. As a constantly changing character, Edna has several awakenings. In the first one, she experiences the feeling of uninhibited freedom. Chopin also utilizes Adele Ratignolle, Edna's friend, as an interesting contrast to Edna.
Unfortunately, Chopin was never able to see her masterpiece read by the masses. After publishing The Awakening, many public stores and facilities banned the book from their shelves because of vulgar content. Now The Awakening is one of the most read books in high schools and colleges around the country!
* Creole -- a person of Spanish or French descent, usually considered people of the upper class
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