Eveline’s Unconscious Reason (4/25/16)

 

Her Unconscious Love for Home

          Eveline, also the character’s name, is a story by James Joyce. She is a young adult, yet mature, who has a rather complex life and struggles with whether to leave her home or stay. Over the couple of years, she has become separated from the things she loves, including close friends and family members. This has influenced her into making a decision about her life, so that she can find happiness. In this story, Joyce focuses on some drastic concepts (loneliness, great responsibility, and abuse from her father) that are reason to her decision on wanting to leave, yet she is unable because her attachment for all things at home is stronger in the end.

One of the factors that influence her decision on leaving home is the feeling of loneliness. Her life, when much younger, is filled with people she loves and adore. In fact, during this time, there are her close friends, brothers, and mother. She spends a considerable amount of time playing with her friends, and apparently develops a strong bond. To strengthen this sense of friendship, the story talks about how they often like playing at their favorite spot: The Devines. This specific time in her life seems to be filled with happiness. Also, her father, who is an abuse and mean person in the future, is not so terrible when she’s younger. It is unclear why he later changes into an abusive father, but one thing can be concluded: his behavior and attitude changed due to the death of her mother. Despite her descent childhood, her life is now different and those close friends and siblings either moved or passed-away. In addition, her brothers were not by her side anymore, and the sense of loneliness is unavoidable alongside her father.

Her father is the other reason to her decision. He is not only abusive, but also controlling. Often times he threatens to physically abuse her; something that makes her heart race. This problem has apparently continued for various years without any change. It can be understood from this part of the story that she is tired of leaving in such way. In addition to his behavior, the father is very controlling with her income. He doesn’t trust her with her earnings, thinking that he is better at managing it. As a result, he never helps with money and uses Eveline’s earnings to pay for bills. These are surely some big stressors, which only intensified with her other responsibilities. Eveline, as stated in the story, is very responsible at her age. Her earnings are always used for the expenses of the house and other bills. She is also responsible for other chores, such as shopping for food at the market, and taking care of two small children who are left under her supervision. One can only imagine that accomplishing all of these tasks and chores each day must be stressful and depressing. The author obviously uses all of these negative concepts to show why she is considering her decision of leaving home.

Lastly, love is another component affecting her decision. Love is brought in with the idea that it will facilitate her departure and provide her with freedom. She talks Frank, whom she likes and perceives to be a guy opposite to her father. Being with him gives her the illusion of the wonderful things that can happen with she leaves with him. Yet, in some ways she questions the idea of such love, meaning that her character fears going along with him. As it comes to her conclusion, Frank might be able to provide her with a sense of freedom and happiness, in order to relief her from loneliness and sadness. However, although not clearly stated in the story, one can determine that she doesn’t fully trust him, since she fears he might become like her father one day. In addition, she discovers at the very end that she is deeply attached to home, and that her life there is not so terrible there after all. As she recalls it, “it’s was hard work – a hard life – but now that she was about to leave it she did not find it a wholly undesirable life” (4). She finds herself attached to various things at home. First, there is her house, which she has loved for so long. The love for it can be easily noticed as the story states a few times how she enjoys inhaling the odour of dusty cretonne. Second, she is very used to the people in the town and living there. Lastly, she also treasures the objects and items in her house that serve as memories of her old days and of her own mother. To Eveline, they were: “familiar objects from which she had never dreamed of being divided” (3).

All in all, this story of Eveline is one that emphasizes various meanings in relation to her drastic life. Still, one meaningful thing is certain: the author focuses on various factors and concepts to show why the main character is troubled by a decision that will help her find meaning in life. This decision, which is unexpected to the reader, is one that can only be traced by her personality and unconscious mind. As example, one can notice how Eveline is eagerly curious to find a new way to be happy, but her unconscious shows how she is happy just being at home.

 

Source (Book):

Joyce, James. “Eveline.” Literature and the Writing Process. Ed. Elizabeth McMahan, Susan X Day, and Robert Funk. 8^th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice, 2008. 3-6. Print.

“The Cold And Detached Act” (4/18/16)

“The cold and detached Act”

-Comparison of Poems by Karel Perez

The poems “You All Know The Story Of The Other Women,” by Anne Sexton and “Sex Without Love,” Sharon Olds, share a similar sexual theme and different poetic elements. When comparing both poems, “sex (as an act for pleasure)” becomes a main focus, while the poetic element of visual image bring contrast in various forms.

In Sexton’s poem, the reader is exposed to a personal experience by a person who is the other women (the parttime lover). She shares her experience of the men who is cheating alongside her just for the sexual pleasure. To them is just plain sex and nothing more. Similarly, in Olds’ poem the reader is exposed to the general experience of people who perform sexual acts without love. Concepts of sexual acts without love are carried out and questioned throughout it, mainly emphasizing that it is just done for pleasure.

Sex is the main theme being stressed out it is perceived from each poem, values of love and loyalty are disregarded. In the poem by Sexton, this common focus is presented with the relationship of the two lovers who are cheating. There is no bonding connection in such relationship as the guy just uses her for a short time, only to later go away to his wife. It can be interpret from the poem that the sex between them is not great, which is a sign of boring and cold sex with no emotional intensity. Usually, the act of sex can be an intense experience, when performed with love and attachment with a partner. Yet, this is not the case, as it can be seen from the line “she is private in her own breathbed, as his body takes off and flies” (641). It can be understood that she is bored to death in bed with him as he performs, supporting on the point that the sex is just plain sex for pleasure and nothing more.

Similarly, in the poem by Olds, this theme of sex is presented with the description of sexual events though visual images. One good example of this is in the line “beautiful as dancers, gliding over each other likeice skaters over the ice” (650). In this line, it can be interpret that this signifies that sex without love between people is just cold and detached. Normally, ice skaters perform the activity in the cold and are constantly detached from each other as the go about doing their stunts.

On the other hand, contrast between the poems exist with the various visual elements of image. This element alone is one that has diversity as it takes place in the form of Kinetic, thermal, and tactile. There forms of the image poetic element if illustrated differently in each. In the poem by Sexton, the most common form of image is Kinetic (image of motion). These images can be noticed in some parts of it. One part is in “she is private in her breathbed as his body takes off and flies…” (641), and another is in “she knows flesh, that skin balloon,.., the remarkable roof” (642). Such sentences provide the reader with a visual image of motion – one that is missed in the poem by Olds.

In contrast, the poem by Olds has three others forms of visual images that are missed in Sexton’s, despite the fact that a similar theme is the focus of both. These three other forms of image are that of temperature and feeling. The image of temperature is noticeable with the line “they now they are alone with the road surface, the cold and wind,…” (651). Moreover, the image of feeling is seen in “they do not mistake the lover for their own pleasure…” and in “how do they come to the_come to the_God_and not love…?” (651). Each of these help differentiate both works of poetry, even when the same message is stronger point being carried across.

In conclusion, the two works are some that bring an interesting theme to the reader, and the idea of poetic elements to create contrast between the two. In addition, the two works are unique in their own way, even when focusing on this reference if sex being something that can be separated from love and loyalty. In this case, sex being a another form of pleasure, and a way of expression of they human body.

JOURNAL ENTRY: “REGULAR MONDAYS” (4/11/16)

JOURNAL ENTRY:

“REGULAR MONDAYS”

 

On a regular Monday morning, I usually find myself dragging my body out of bed to start on my most anticipated day of the week. My Mondays are now different to how they once used to be, composed of relaxation, personal activities, and personal development activities.

Busy weeks are now my new norm, filled with school work, regular job activities, and home chores. Years ago, I would have never imagined such change. In fact, as I can best recall, Mondays were just another day of the week for me, and only the weekend brought me relaxation. Anyhow, the change is here now, and embracing it is inevitable. Monday is now my one day of the week that changes everything for me, putting me back mentally in my comfort zone.

Being that this is my only special day to completely devote to myself, I must insist in making each as fulfilling as possible. Getting up from my bed on this day, however, is always the toughest part, since my mind and body is usually tired from a long week of work. Yet, once I am up, the rest of the day goes as smooth as the flow of water in a calm and never-ending river.

On this day, I make sure my personal activities are all met, thus making up for all the previous stress. Sports and recreational activities are not to be missed, as they provide me with the energy needed for this day. The first thing I do after eating breakfast and getting ready is head to the park, where I will commence on a workout that varies each time. Rollerblade skating, tennis, and cycling are my most favorite. Rollerblading is my latest addition, and I had no idea of how fun it is. Although I like to perform at the park, it is sometimes difficult with the crowd. Specially, since I am still learning the basics: turning, making quick stops, tricks, and many more. Regardless, I try my best and I have come to enjoy the attention from the seniors who are always at this particular location sitting at the benches. They can’t seem to stop looking at my performance. I don’t get the same attention from them when I ride my bicycle, but I don’t mind.

After my regular hour and a half of exercise, I go home to take the dirt, dust, and sweat off my body, and get ready for the rest of my day. The following things I do on this day are always different each time. Sometimes I go to China Town in Manhattan with my girlfriend, where we go shopping for food, items, or anything else. Other times I visit specific locations like museums, shopping districts, stores, or other cities. Each place provides me with a sense of new learning and keep my spirit alive. And in some occasions, one of these places might inspire a new place to visit or new activity within me. Aside from going out to new places and exploring, I have to say that one this day I love dedicating some time to learning. Reading and writing are always my number one things on top of the list. Books or articles about nutrition, news about the world, short stories, health, and anything in relation to these are my most favorite. However, I can only dedicate so much time to each on one day, thus only allowing me to spend enough time with each subject. Only so much can be done in one day, so I love stretching it as much as I can. As a result, I always end up sleeping after two in the morning. I don’t regret this one bit, since I enjoy every moment. When the time comes to call it a day, I fall into relaxation mode. For me, personally, this is all about drinking a cup of great or chamomile tea while reading a nice book in bed, or recalling on past memories of my life.

My Monday now is surely one special day for me. It is one day that brings a lot of important things, including emotional development, personal satisfaction from activities, and even great relaxation moments. Very often I feel that one special day is worth more than 5 days of misery. One important thing I learned from this Monday-norm is: one day, if fully lived with enjoyment, is worth more than five days of common routine.

 

 

“New Point of View For Endless Possibilities” (4/4/2016)

Short Story by Karel Perez

            “Rinnnnnng!,” the alarm on the smartphone went off. It was five in the morning and Jake, a guy who painted for a hobby, was about to start on his already-planned day. Jake had a habit of planning his everyday, usually in the form of a to-do-list. In this day, however, he hadn’t much to do, but only one simple activity: going to his favorite park and paint on a canvas.

Noon soon came and Jake was at the park looking for a perfect spot where he could settle down and start on his painting. He had brought with him a canvas, acrylic paints, paint-brushes, and HB-pencils, all packed in a big black portfolio. The park was overly crowded for a Monday, and he had a hard time finding a new perfect spot to settle down and find the inspiration feeling for his new art piece.

In his bicycle, he rode past various already visited areas of the park, looking for one he hadn’t visited yet. The purpose of this was to find some new inspiration that would get him started on his new project. The park had many areas attractive areas – some beautifully filled with cherry blossom trees and others with sports fields. He had been to all of them and nothing sparked his imagination at this moment. It felt as if coming to the park today was a waste of time. Jake started to feel a monotonic sensation to coming to the park. “I can’t believe it, but I am becoming a bit bored of this park,” he said with a thoughtful facial expression.

“But how can I leave this place, when it was here I first learned to paint, painted my first piece, get inspired each time, and even exercise,” he said to himself. This was the park where Jake had gained unforgettable memories. It was also the one where he had experienced change and achieve emotional development, but this time it appears he had found himself with no inspiration, no new experience, or change for development.

Two hours had past since he had come to the park, and Jake was still looking for that spot. Going home without achieving what he always did from the park was not an option he considered. Yet, there was none that he could find, as he came to realize with the two hours that had past like the sudden smooth wind that never turns back, and it passes to quick to be felt. Jake couldn’t believe that his long favorite park had nothing new to provide. He felt disappointed, and sad to even consider such an idea. At least, this was the only way he could perceive it; the only way he could even imagine it.

He finally decided to go home and try to forget about what had happened. On his way home, right by the exit of the park, there was an area filled with common wild animals of a park (rabbits, squirrels, birds, and the likes). Looking back at the park, while riding his bicycle very fast, caused him to missed the three rabbits that crossed before him. Once he turned his head forward, the furry animals where right upfront his tire and avoiding them was almost impossible. Taking to chances, Jake steered away to his right side since the rabbits where coming from the left, and upon turning he lost balance due to his heavy portfolio swinging to the left. “Ouchhhhh,” he screamed as he fell to the ground.

Luckily enough he was not hurt, other than receiving minor scratches around his elbow. And the three rabbits where already across the street as if nothing had happened. “Can’t this day get any worst, at this point,” he said the same facial expression when he realized the parked had nothing to offer him on this day. Jake’s portfolio had fallen behind him and he turned around to pick it up. Upon picking it up, he look back at the park and stared at it for a few second. On the last second, a small spark came to him, and soon a new idea generated in his mind. This whole time he traveled to the park, he had always looked for areas within it, and never thought anything outside it would be possible. Now it was time for a new change, one that would continue his long tradition of his beloved park. “I’ve got it!,” he peacefully said with a voice of relief upon his new idea.