I've Got the Guts to die.. Do you have the guts to live?

Ambiguity is saturated throughout Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Tennessee Williams has a certain ease and fluidity in his character development, which makes the reader aware certain characteristics; however also leaves them constantly dissecting the dialogue. At face value, the characters embody the norm of family values and familial constructs. However with further analysis it is evident that these individuals are extremely complex and almost have an aura of deception and lies.One aspect of ambiguity that really stood out, that really wasn't discussed in class, was the aspect of the interruptions throughout the play. During conversations between characters, there was always something else going on. Like when Big Daddy and Brick are having one of the most real conversations of the play, the phone is ringing. Big Mama purposely walks through the room where they are talking to answer the phone; and Williams bounces between the phone conversation and Brick's and Big Daddy's talk. It is clear that Williams wants to portray that there is no privacy in the house. Big Daddy's tells Brick this that "The walls have ears..." It is stated that someone is always listening throughout the play, but it is humorous because there is so much drama. However, Mae and Gooper have mastered hand signals to avoid the eavesdropping.There was a reference made at the end of last class about the meaning of a cage. One gentleman stated that each bar on the cage represented a choice that the character made; that made a certain choice that eliminated another possible one. The choice could be a positive one, or could have been one full of regret. An ambiguous angle is Maggie has built her cage beautifully in her eyes. She married into money and now has the possibility to own one of the richest lands this side of the Nile. Her poor upbringing is mentioned numerous times, which validates her reasoning to stay in a marriage that is still together simply to save face. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Big Daddy regrets certain bars of his cage. He built his empire from the ground up, and he is very proud of his accomplishments. However, with the good news of a "spastic colon" he re-evaluates his life; and it isn't what he wanted. He is married to a woman who he has been married for forty years, and it seems like he is totally unhappy. He makes numerous remarks about his fat wife, and how he encourages Brick to sleep with more women. The cage metaphor is great because it allows the reader to see what money can do to people. Maggie had none growing up, and now that she has it she will do at nothing to loose it. Big Daddy has more money than most will see in a lifetime, yet is dying, and not happy in the least. Oh, the joy of irony.

Slow Dancing In a Burning Room

The facets that surround feminism weave a web of contradictory, inspiration and a glimmer of hope. It is a topic that seems to go through cycles, and one always wonders why there isn't a resoultion? Like slow dancing in a burning room. I applaud Simone de Beavoir's article on the Second Sex because she is able to express thoughts that sometimes others may over look. I have never considered myself a raging femminist, however I do feel that women must rely on themselves first and for most; ah, the let the contridictions begin! It amused me when she stated "Men can think of himself without women.. however she cannot think of herself without man." That is a rather bold statement, although even in today's society it is mostly true. I was intrigued to make the focal point of my reading not only about the actual content but about the parallelism that the concpets had in modern day. In innocent observation of others, it seems that women do identify themselves with man. Whether it is grocery shopping, laundry, and tending to the children it always revolves around someone else; she is the other. Even a woman attending college, she is not soley there for her. There is a deeper reasoning; she could be there to better her education which in turn could allow her a better job. And a better job could be the equivilent of competing with a man for that position. Or gaining her new found status, which is appealing to others. "He is the subject, he is the absoulte- she is the other". No matter which aspect is disected it always seems that the women, in 1949 or 2008, is the other sex. It is a delicate subject that is not always easy to discuss, however Beavoir allowed women to appriciate their sex, and also let men realize the trials and tribulations that the female has been through. I am proud of the progress that women have made, and that we are allowed to do things my predecesors never imagined; however it seems that in reality there still is a lot of progress to make. But I guess we should be thankful to dance at all, even if the room is burning.

So Long Sweet Summer

The thought of the first day of my senior year brought on a plethora of emotions; excitment, fear and complete dread of waking up earlier again. I was quite hesitant registering for an English class due to the fact that I was stepping out of my comfort zone of the history major nerd cult. This English class was a reqiurement, so I bit the bullet and went into the other side. I had two history classes before my English class, and I was building up courage to step into the unknown. As I entered the smaller class, my nerves diminished. I have never experienced a professor with so much personality and a willingness to make everyone feel welcomed. I was so excited to begin this new adventure. Never in my collegiate years have I ever heard "No papers or tests, just discussion"; I thought for sure I was on one of those reality shows where everything was a big joke. As the class moved along and the syllabus was distributed ( I still am in awe that Sex and the City is a requirement; there is a God!) and I realized it was legit, I could not help but think I picked the wrong major. To my surprise, Professor Wexler puts on Anchorman and Fatal Attraction. He wanted us to focus on the gender roles, and the sex themes. I really enjoyed watching one of my favorite movies from a different perspective and being able to compare it to another movie. It was a view that I never really paid any attention to. I really liked in the discussion following the movies, someone mentioned that in Fatal Attraction was in the male's point of view. I always looked at it through Glenn Close's character. I am really excited about this class. I really like how I can read everyone elses thoughts on here, and listen to my peers during discussions. I enjoy that Professor encourages us to discuss different themes with each other. This is such a glourious change from the world of history!