AP Lit Post #7: Now Where Have I Seen Her Before? Little Women Vs. March

        Well, it looks like it's time for one final blog post. Having finished reading both Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott, and March by Geraldine Brooks, I can now see two slightly different interpretations of just who the members of the March family really are. The retelling (March) definitely changed my perception of Little Women. While reading the original, I came to know the March women much more. Namely, I associated Mrs. March as a kind, willful spirit - a mother who always knows how to handle tough situations and keep a cool head. In March, however, she is described as a slightly more "expressive" character, who can sometimes be a tad stubborn and on occasion will break into sudden outbursts when annoyed by someone or something. Mr. March himself is the most changed from his original perspective. In Little Women, though he is not mentioned much, he is viewed as a humble, kind father who leads a life full of high spirits, encouragement, and love. In March however, he is construed as a conflicted man who wants desperately to further the anti-slavery cause. In fact, March appears as a rather weakened man - especially after the incident at the cotton plantation - and wants nothing much to do with his family once it gets down to it. In the last scene of the book, he returns to his home in Concord, MA. You would think he would be ecstatic about seeing his family after so long without them, but no - everything about his children's features remind him of the tragedies he has seen happen to others, and he soaks in his own regret and pain during their entire reunion rather than just rejoicing in the fact that his children are still alive.
        Therefore - as you can probably guess - I appreciated Little Women much more than its retelling. While March focuses on the tragedies of slavery and is indeed interesting, it skews the reader's original perception of March and his family. Rather than seeing the sensible father the March daughters all look up to, we see a man who has trouble controlling his own feelings and can't seem to let go of his past. That was his main problem. Yes, March faced great challenges. Yes, he deserves the ability to morn the past. But that does not give him the right to give up on the future. He had a willing, humble family standing right before him, yet all he could do was wallow in the agonies seen from his eyes. Why remain stuck in the past when you have others who rely on you for guidance? Sometimes we need to let go of our wandering emotions just long enough to help those people who still need our help. I also admire Little Women for the wonderful character development within it. The audience got to know all of the girls one on one, discovering that all of them were unique in their own way. While filled with a few tear-filled moments, the novel was a beautiful piece of writing that showed how a poor family of four daughters was able to form ties of friendship and love that would bond them together forever, even in death. It was heartfelt and very easy to get to know the characters.
        March establishes its own story line through the father of the March family. In Little Women, March is absent for about half of the novel and when he returns, he is not mentioned very much. Therefore, through March, we are able to see just what the father of the March family was doing all of that time. Because of my "curious self" and need for explanation in situations like that, I welcomed March into my hands, thrilled to finally discover the secret life of Mr. March. Now that I have actually read it, I can say that it wasn't perfect, but overall, I rather enjoyed this addition to the original story line. I do believe it has literary merit, as it was created in order to fill in the gaping holes that March left from his absence within Little Women. I appreciated the fact that Brooks took a small hole within one classic plot line and expanded her own ideas into it and allowed the new, run-off story to enrich the feel of the original. Throughout the two books, there are objects and scenes that come together on common ground while at the same time, two completely different stories were being woven together into one. Although both have contrasting flows, I accept them as almost one, unified story line. The events within them explain the gaps that one author or the other left to our imaginations. The story of the four daughters somehow intertwines with the story of the father to form a solid plot line, and that's something that is hard for two completely different authors to do with two very different books.

       I really did enjoy these two books throughout the summer. Each of them is unique in its own way, and their stories flowed along with such interesting events that I just had to keep on reading. I really do love those books - the ones that you can't seem to put down. They just prove that reading is truly a gift in this world, and without it, we would probably be bored out of our minds! Little Women and March were a perfect choice for my reading homework, and I'm so glad  that I decided to try them out. Well, that concludes my blog posts for the summer! To be continued once school starts back up! :)

                                   

AP Lit Post #6: March at the Hospital

        Chapter 24 of How to Read Literature Like a Professor is titled, "And Rarely Just Illness...". It encompasses the belief that illnesses brought onto the main character of a piece of literature are never just illnesses. Sure, they may seem like just a curve in the story to make it more interesting, but they bring with them a whole lot more than just a sickness.
        About midway through March, Mr. March ends up with something known as "Saddleback Fever" while staying at the cotton plantation. He becomes gravely ill, but soon recovers. However, the sickness weakened his heart and every once and a while March would have recurrences of the fever. This doesn't have too much of an impact on the story however, until around three quarters through the book, at which point March gets grazed in the side by a bullet and the fever takes hold of him.
        Seeing as March then becomes unconscious for quite a while and the novel is written in first person (my favorite), the author - Geraldine Brooks - switches to the viewpoint of none other than Mrs. March, providing an entirely different viewpoint of the situation. As Foster believed to be true, an illness derived from literature is rarely just an illness. It brings along with it certain attributes that add a great deal of plot development for the story. For one thing, the addition of the famous Mrs. March to the scene. Before this point, the audience only gets to know Mrs. March through the eyes of her husband, never really showing her innermost beliefs and emotions. As soon as the lights dim on Mr. March, a new character, full of spirit and carrying enormous burdens upon her own shoulders appears to enlighten the audience on the other side of the March family. By introducing Mrs. March to a certain character from Mr. March's past, conflicts and uncertainties arise within the boundaries of Blank Hospital.
        The introduction of March's illness exposed the other characters to the troubling encounters he tried so hard to keep hidden from them, opening loose ties that would not be closed up until the very end of the novel. By exposing the main character to this imminent weakness, Brooks steered the plot in a different direction, in a way depositing Mr. March's sickness as the climax of the story, and allowing Mrs. March to lead the way for the falling action.
        The illness itself brought with it a good many things - Hardship, loss, regret for past events, reunions, a change in lifestyles, heartbreak, burdens, more regret (only from a different source), as well as a faint glimmer of hope, hope that cast away the darkness of all the other factors listed. Without this event taking place, March would most likely have stayed away from his home and family for countless years. The illness that followed catastrophe truly changed March's life, as well as the lives of those around him. Although the illness was considered a burden by the March family, it sparked the beginning of a new lifestyle and better days to come, something that March would have avoided had he never been contained in a hospital on the brink of death itself. Sometimes obstacles are put in our way for a reason, which is shown vividly in the works of many pieces of literature. It all depends on what happens next - for better or for worse.

Ap Lit Post #5: Eating With the Marches

        Lately, I have been reading the novel March, by Geraldine Brooks. It is a story written about the father of the March family, who is absent for most of Little Women. I decided a good theme to write about in this post would be the effects of eating with certain people throughout the book. It may seem slightly random for a story about the Civil War, but the way I see it, it's a perfect topic for conversation. Foster named the second chapter of his literature guide book "Nice to Eat With You: Acts of Communion". As he explained, "Breaking bread together is an act of sharing and peace," (Foster 9). Normally, we eat with the people who are close to us, as well the people we are trying to be respectful or neighborly to. It's quite uncommon for two souls who hate each other with a burning passion to share a friendly dinner out of the blue. No, the meals throughout literature really do have their own purposes. Why else would the author go through the trouble of writing those difficult scenes in the first place?
        Within March, there are many scenes involving the consumption of food, but all of them are unique in their own ways. The first meal mentioned in the book takes place in a wealthy slave owner's home. Mr. Clement, the slave owner, treats young March to a fine dinner and allows him to stay there for a few weeks. March came there originally to trade books with this man and was treated with respect, and therefore invited to dine with the master of the house. Mr. Clement did not invite many people to dinner, even his son's manager - who was very familiar with the family. Therefore, it was seen as an honor for March to be treated with such respect. Of course, after a while, there was an incident with March trying to teach a young slave to read, and Mr. Clement soon discovered March's anti-slavery beliefs. Long story short, March was no longer allowed to dine with Mr. Clement. In fact, he was kicked off the premises of the Clement household.
        Later on in the novel, after a few years have passed, March meets a young women named Margaret Day, otherwise known as Marmee. He instantly feels a connection to her and gets to know her kind, humble self, through dinners with her and her brother - who March had known for a while already. Nothing much happens as he does not see her for a while. Then, while he is staying at a family called the Emersons' home, he is delighted as well as anxious to find that the two daughters of the Emerson family are good friends with Miss Day and had invited her to a very formal dinner with a few other respectful guests. At the dinner, Marmee arrives late, but is pleased to find March at the table and instantly acknowledges them. Even before the food is actually set down on the table however, Mr. Emerson and Marmee have a rather loud quarrel and Miss Day stomps away from the house, leaving March dazed and confused from seeing two very different sides of one women all in the course of a dinner party. Later that night, however, they find each other in the woods and talk about all of the problems of slavery and the terrible people who live in the world. If that dinner party had never happened, March and Marmee would most likely have never gotten to know each other - therefore preventing the existence of the four March daughters, erasing the entire story of Little Women. Quite mind boggling, isn't it?
        There are other points throughout the novel with less formal meals. At one point, March goes to a cotton plantation down south to teach the former slaves who work there how to read and write. While they are technically free men and women, their lives are anything but grand. Even on the first day March stays there, he finds a poor old man who has been banished to a hole for feeding one of the farm pigs to his family. March had been given a small ration of bread for his dinner, and he gives it to this man, seeing he is starving. There are other points in the novel as well where either March passes on his own food to others in need, or even when he is in need, and others supply precious food for him. This passing around of food truly shows the meaning of an act of communion - proving that food is shared between those who trust in each other and want to help each other for the sake of life.
        As you can see, there are many different forms of meals and acts of communion. Whether it be between two wealthy, respectful business owners, or two starving, impoverished workers, all of these meals have meaning.

AP Lit Post #4: Under the Umbrella

        As Foster says - "It's More Than Just Rain or Snow". In his 10th chapter, he talks about the impact of weather on the story at hand. As I was reading Little Women, I noticed I great deal of things implied through specific forms of precipitation. For one thing, the snow. At the beginning of the book, the four sisters are all in their teens and living at home with their mother. It is Christmas time, and the family is poor, so the daughters try to scrape together some warm family memories without the use of money. The snow outside brings with it feelings of poverty and struggle, as the girls must bear their burdens and learn how to live with little luxury. In other parts of the novel, however, the snow carries feelings of fun and laughter, as the girls (and their friend Laurie next door) experience new adventures and fun times, regardless of the frozen world outside.
        One of the most vivid representations I found of the impact of weather on the story is in a chapter near the end of the book, called "Under the Umbrella". This scene stands out in my mind as there is never much mention of rain throughout the novel until it comes to pass. There is one little scene where Amy, the youngest daughter, has to run home in the rain with her drawing sketches getting drenched after a rather unpleasant day, but other than that, there is only one scene that deliberately includes rain.
        It begins with the second oldest daughter, Jo, is walking into town to shop (although she may have ulterior motives, as her "friend" the professor has business there). Once she gets into town, it starts pouring, and she realizes with regret that she forgot an umbrella. She is tempted to stop by the building where the professor should be to ask for an umbrella, but she thinks better of it and continues walking, regardless of the water pouring down around her. As she is walking, she finds herself under a taller person's umbrella, and looking up, is shocked to see none other than the professor himself. Now, Jo is the one sister who never thought she would find true love as she had never loved anyone like that before. Her hard outer shell made it nearly impossible for any man to find their way into her heart. However, drenched in the rain and standing in the shelter of the professor's umbrella, she comes to realize that she does have a man who she cares for more than just a friend. As the two of them walk towards her house in the pouring rain, the truth spills out that they love each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together. Absorbed in their new-found love, they forget to catch a carriage or bus and simply walk home in the rain, both of them soggy and dirt covered, but happier than ever before.
        As this is the only true "rain scene" within the novel, it truly is significant. Jo was the last sister to find what made her happy, and the last loose end was tied up with the rain. The rain within this scene was definitely more than just rain. It created a background that suggested something important was about to happen, as it did. The rain falling around Jo and the professor's umbrella brought about a change in their characters, unveiling the outer shell around Jo and exposing them both for who they were inside. It shed all of the two characters' doubt and denial, giving them inner strength and hope for the future.
        Imagine that scene if it had taken place on a sunny day. Would it have been nearly as effective? The answer is no. Think about it. If it hadn't been raining, the professor would not have had an umbrella which gave him clearance to walk Jo around as she shopped and headed home. They may not have even run into each other had it not been raining. It also would have created the question of whether or not the professor truly loved her for her. As he professed his love to her in her dirty, soggy clothes and messy hairdo, the audience knows for a fact that their love is true.
        To sum  things up, rain is never just rain and snow is never just snow, it all depends on how you look at it. (:

AP Lit Post #3: The Seasons of Little Women

        I just finished reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I really enjoyed it! The tale of four sisters was both touching and entertaining, a perfect balance of the trial and joys one faces throughout life. The story of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy - as well as everyone in between - is one I am pleased to say I shall never forget.

        Thomas Foster dedicates the 20th chapter in his book to the meaning and impact of specific seasons. One of the most significant connections I made between Foster's words and Alcott's was just that - the idea of seasons playing a great role in the story. The entire plot of Little Women ties in with the changes throughout time, and what is a great way to show the shifting of that time? The passing of different seasons. They also connect events that take place in the book to specific emotions. As Foster wrote, "Happiness and dissatisfaction have their seasons..., Summer is passion and love; winter, anger and hatred" (Foster 94). At one point in the story, Beth, the more feeble sister who is beloved by all, catches scarlet fever. She gets incredibly sick, and ends up coming to the brink of death. This happens in the heart of winter. By already suggesting struggle and poverty, coldness and fear in the freezing weather, Alcott creates an ominous feel to that part of the book, adding greatly to the overall effect of Beth's illness on the audience.
         It works both ways. At the end of the novel, the characters all come together for "Harvest Time" to pick fruit within an apple orchard. The families they have built up and the friendships they have deepened come together in order to rejoice for lives well-lived. There is laughter, smiles, music, and even tears of joy throughout the reunion. Foster explains, "So harvest, and not only of apples, is one element of autumn. When our writers speak of harvests, we know it can refer not only to agricultural but also to personal harvests, the results of our endeavors, whether over the course of a growing season or a life" (Foster 95). Therefore, summer and autumn are used to boost the feeling of happiness and joy for the characters, just as spring is a time of renewal. Throughout the book, many events that spark change take place during spring, directly after the cold snows of winter melt away, paving a way for growth and new opportunities. And as you can see, all four seasons have a certain impact on the story. Winter - death, worry, sadness, fear. Spring - renewal, change. Summer - happiness, joy. Autumn - the harvest, rejoicing over life.
        Once one understands the impact of seasons on a plot line, it's easier to understand the overall effect an author intends to make in a work of literature. Most events written into novels were put there for a reason, in a certain spot of time that would make the point the most effective. Writing is perplexing that way, don't you think? :)

"If It's Square, It's a Sonnet" - Do Not Stand at my Grave and Weep - AP Lit Post #2

In all honesty, I've never been a big fan of sonnets. Many of them seem to be written in roundabout ways and my brain just can't handle decoding them. So, obviously, this was a pretty difficult assignment for me. However, I did find one sonnet that caught my attention. It's called "Do Not Stand at my Grave and Weep". So, here it is!

Do Not Stand at my Grave and Weep

by Mary Elizabeth Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep:

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft starshine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry:

I am not there; I did not die.

        What pulled me into this sonnet was the beautiful flow of phrase upon phrase, as well as the overall message of the poem. Personally, I haven't experienced many deaths in my life. I did lose my grandparents a while back, but two of them had already passed away before I was even born, and the other two both suffered from altzheimers disease and dementia so I never really got to know them. So I never really cried at their funerals or graves. It would be a lot different though if I had gotten to know them better. Take my pets. I've had time to get to know them my entire life, and I have experienced those deaths - of which I wept, a lot. In fact, I cry my eyes out whenever I lose a pet that is close to me. Therefore, I can't even imagine what it would be like to lose a human being who was that close to me - like a family member or a friend. I'm guessing that my reaction would include bawling my eyes out. It's something that I don't even want to think about. Therefore, when I read this sonnet, I was moved. The words in this poem cry out in vain, begging the reader to not cry when they lose someone precious, but look at all of the accomplishments they fulfilled throughout their life. Although their life has ended, their spirit has lived on in the memories of those they touched. Every person you meet leaves a mark on you, and your mark is left on them in return - it's just how life works. We change each other. Part of what makes us who we are is the people around us. If one of them suddenly disappeared, we would feel a hole in our life, like a piece of us was missing. Still, their imprint on our own lives remains with us, and they are never forgotten. I believe this sonnet was trying to convey that truth - that we should be celebrating a life, not simply mourning a loss. 

        I also liked the structure of this sonnet. It had a very distinct rhythm that kept the words moving in a cascading pattern. By having every two phrases rhyme with each other, Frye stitched together a stream of metaphors for one who has passed away. The fist half of the sonnet described in detail just who the person in question is and what they have become in a very metaphoric way. The second half continues on with that description and leads into a quiet transition that takes the reader to the final statement - showing them that the victim is dead and gone, but their spirit is still shining strong. I really loved the flow of the sonnet itself - the imagery mixed with the powerful rhythm gave off a feeling of strength, as well as joy, rather than allowing sorrow to creep into the words. The powerful descriptions within the poem shaped it into a beautiful piece of work with a reflective message to hold it all together. So there you have it - my chosen sonnet - "Do Not Stand at my Grave and Weep".

Note: I realize that I wrote this post with the belief that the poem above had 14 lines. As it turns out, it only has 12, and therefore is not a true sonnet, but has other qualities that a true sonnet would have. Namely, as I said before, the poem has two parts - both take up about six lines ("The first half of the sonnet described in detail just who the person in question is and what they have become in a very metaphoric way. The second half continues on with that description and leads into a quiet transition that takes the reader to the final statement"). Also, as  Foster explained how most sonnets are written in iambic pentameter, all of the lines in "Do Not Stand at my Grave and Weep" are fairly close to ten syllables. Not to mention, the rhyming pattern is very noticeable. Foster also explains that not all sonnets will follow the exact same structure - it all depends on the type of sonnet. :)