Shanda’s Comments (group member since Jan 19, 2015)

Shanda’s comments from the Morales 2341 Spring 2015 Class MW group.

Victoria wrote: "There are some people who simply think they are better than everyone else when they have made a good living. Some, like Dee, have risen out of poverty to get there and others are just born with a s..."
I commend Dee for rising out of poverty and that is something to be proud of. I also believe there also comes a point of arrogance that Dee has that makes her unlikeable. She has to remember if it wasn't for her mother she would not have had the role model to be a strong women to overcome. You can better yourself but don't forget where you come from for than what is your true identity and beliefs. For me changing her name was the ultimate denial of her heritage to her mother.

Alicia wrote: "Who wouldn’t admire someone who has overcome poverty and now has a better life/ education? I would because they are breaking the chains of the old life cycle. In “Every Day Use” by Alice Walker, sh..."
I do admire Dee for getting her education and making a better life for herself. I just don't agree with how she treats her mother and sister. You should never forget where you come from. I think this makes her snotty and conceited like she is better. When she goes in the house just taking things without asking was rude and inconsiderate and she should not have treated her mother that way.

In the story by Alice Walker "Eveyday Use" Dee does rise out of poverty and get's her education and makes a better life for herself. The problem I feel with Dee is she has forgotten where she has come from. She has dismissed her mother and sister and all of her family's heritage. Now she thinks of herself as better and looks down upon her mother and sister. I do not see Dee as totally unlikeable for you do need to be somewhat ruthless in order to get by in this world especially as a minority she is a poor black women. In the long run her mother and sister were the reasons she rose above because she probably used them for motivation so if anything she should have been grateful. Another point where do you think Dee got her strength from(her mother) she raised her daughters worked hard and her sister to be burned so badly and survive. These women were strong even if Maggie is potrayed in the story as weak in my eyes she survived a severe burning. I do admire the mother and Maggie for this simple reason they work hard and they are happy with their lives. They stand for what they believe in and hold true to it. Dee only wants her past to show off while Mama and Maggie live it.

Luis wrote: "O’Conner’s short stories, “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” and “The Revelations”, have several similarities. The two stories have a strong willed female as their central character who have an exalted..." This is so true I thought it to be funny that the book that struck her was human development. This to me was saying you Mrs. Turpin need to develop as a human. As with the south she was stuck in her ways and thought she was right; as for her use with religion some people use religion to manipulate. As with all forms it is interpreted how people want to and use it to benefit them. I feel as both women did this for if they truly were good "Christian Ladies from the South" I say that with a hint of sarcasm they would not judge or condemn anyone for they would of loved and treated everyone with dignity and respect.

Alicia wrote: "The two short stories by Flannery O’Connor, “A Good Man is Hard to Find” and “Revelation” have many similarities. For example, the protagonist of the stories are females with strong personalities r..." I agree with you Alicia O'Connor definitely writes about religion. I also think because the author moved away from the south and was educated she was then able to see the injustices that the south put on people because of race, and class. Both stories were alike with the older woman and in the end justly so their fate being sown.

In both stories the central character are older southern women that are set in their idealogical ways of thinking. They are both judgmental and look down upon people. Both women put people put people in social classes and looked down upon them. O'Connor as a writer is true to her southern roots she brings to light how important church is to the south. She also brings up social class that was very relevant in the south especially in the 50's and 60's. O'Connor lived this life so I feel she saw these injustices that happened so she writes about them. Whether we like it or not this behavior still happens maybe not as severe as it did in the 1960's but there are still places in the good ole south that are not as accepting as the rest of the world. O'Connor brings social class, race, and cultures to the forefront with her writings.

Luis wrote: "Gogol’s short story “The Overcoat”, depicts a lowly clerk in a bureaucratic office in a bureaucratic government. A department was like so many in the Russian government during 1800’s, that the aut..." I am in total agreement with you. His life was destined that way from his birth, but I feel he was happy with his life. He was a hard worker and liked his job. Only when he got the coat was he noticed. He did walk prouder when he wore it. He did not want a new coat to impress anyone he was merely trying to keep warm and if he could of he would of have fixed his old one. It is quite sad that he had worked so hard to get the new coat but in the end it was what caused his death for if he would have had the other one he would have never been mugged.

Alicia wrote: "In the short story “The Overcoat” by Nikolai Gogol is trying to say is that society is based on appearances. If you are well dress then you are accepted by society, in the contrary, if you are poor..." I do think society judges on how we appear and not on what we are as a person. He was not even noticed until he got his new overcoat. I do think he carried himself differently after getting his new coat which then led people to notice him as well.

In the short story "The Overcoat" written by Nikolai Gogol Akaky Adadievich was just a plain ordinary man. He had no remarkable traits per say. When he was born his mother did not even know what to name him; "This is a judgement of me" says his mother "this is clearly his fate"In this regards she has labeled her son as mediocre nothing special. He begins work in the department and no one even knows when, who appointed him he is obsolete. Akaky's coworkers act as if he does not exist and when they do pay attention to him it is to only make fun of him. Akaky has an overcoat that is very tethered and worn he tries to get the tailor to mend it for him. The tailor says he can't for it is not worth it for it will fall apart. So Akaky works hard has some savings and finally comes up with enough money in order to have a new overcoat made for him by the tailor. The first day Akaky wears his new overcoat he is so proud he walks taller; he is proud for he knows his overcoat is nice and looks good on him. Akaky gets to work and everyone notices his new overcoat he is immediately invited to his bosses house;which has never happened before. His coworkers are giving him compliments instead of making fun of him. I believe Gogol is trying to say that because Akaky was now well dressed he was now accepted into society. I also think some of this is because before the new overcoat Akaky was shut off to society. When Akaky gotten the new overcoat he was proud and carried himself differently so there was an opening for society to be let into his world. While Akaky was still very much uncomfortable the coat was a way for him to be accepted. I do believe this is wrong of our society one should be accepted on their character and not on how one dresses. Gogol is saying we differ in social classes and at one time Akaky was at the bottom and with the new overcoat he went up in social standing.

Kirsten wrote: "I do not believe that the "Death of a Salesman" was tragedy. I believe the death of Willy was simply the demise of a small man. When Charley was offering Willy a job so he can have money to pay his..." I also think of this as tragic he was left as a child not given the tools then what he thought would make him successful was not the way. He took his own life for insurance money for his son, still in a delusional state of mind to think Biff would ever have a business, or even a successful one at that. This man did not want to face reality and your right his pride as well got in the way.

Angel wrote: "“The Death of a Salesman” is the pursuit of the “American Dream” in a format that is more realistic to the illusionary standards. This story is a tragedy, and Willy did have all the characteristics..." This story is a tragedy for Willie did not have the tools to succeed. He was left by his father and brother at young age he then had to navigate this world with what he thought were the right ways to get the American Dream. While I do believe he was a failure he did not give up his delusions even when he knew he was failing. He would tell Linda, but always had excuses as to why. It is tragic to think he did love his family but was unable to admit his flaws so he could truly help his family.

Willy is so consumed with the American Dream but he is a failure as a salesman, a father and a husband. He does not have the tools to achieve the American Dream because he was abandoned by his father so he came up with his own plan to be successful. This thought was to to be well liked; not hard work this is not a formula for success. He portrayed to the public that he was this great man but in reality he was not and his wife knew this but she supported him along with his friend Charley. Willy in the end I feel knows he is a failure his child Biff went to work on a farm ;instead of being a salesman. Willy wants his child to be a salesman and be great because he wants to live vicarously through his child. So when Biff chooses to work on a farm Willy sees him as a failure, just like him. So in the end I feel this is a tragedy for I see Willy was failed as a child from his father and others as a society for he was not mentored. He wanted to be able to live the American Dream and obtain it but failed miserably.

Luis wrote: "In post-World War II America, Congressman Joe McCarthy was calling out people for not being American enough. McCarthy was utilizing the “red scare” to have any roadblocks on his agenda removed. I..."
When I read about Willy it saddens me because he does lack the skills to succeed in life. He is unable to teach his sons as well so making this family a statistic of what society would perceive as failures. No matter who looks at this story a male that is 34 years of age making a low wage or having so many jobs and living with his parents are considered failures.

Alicia wrote: "After reading the first act in the play “The Death of a Salesperson” by Arthur Miller, I do believe he was criticizing the capitalistic America that was trying to draw a positive picture of capital..."
I was very interested in the fact that you compared it with the refrigerators, this was a very subtle point and now I get it. Willy to me wanted the dream but did not want to work for it either which he did not have the right tools to make him successful. He did not instill the right values in his boys but wanted them to be successful. I also think everyone has their own thoughts on what is a success. This man was grasping for straws in a world that he did not know how to navigate.

After reading Act I of Death of a Salesman Arthur Miller in my view tells a story of Willy a man whom is quite conflicted. Willy has a loving wife and two boys. Willy is a salesman who travels to New England and according to him is very successful but then he will contradict himself just a few lines later. Willy is now in his sixties and struggling but tells his boys and his wife that he is killing it in New England. Linda: "Did you sell anything?" Willy: "I did five hundred gross in Providence and seven hundred gross in Boston" Linda: No Wait a minute I've got a pencil That makes your commission....Two hundred-my god Two hundred and twelve dollars!" Willy: Well I didn't figure it yet but... Linda: How much did you do? Willy: Well I did about a hundred and eighty gross in Providence Well no it came to - roughly two hundred gross the whole trip. Linda: Two hundred gross That's
Willy: The trouble was that three of the stores were half closed for inventory in Boston Otherwise I woulda broke records.
Willy contradicts himself throughout this play. I do feel that this play is all about the American Dream and for Willy his quest to succeed at getting it. Willy though lacks the tools to ever reach his goals so in that way maybe that is why the reviews were so harsh. Not everyone can succeed in the capitalist system. Willy believes just being liked and a smooth talker and handsome will get you a long way. No where does he ever mention being a hard worker. He lacks the skills necessary to be a successful in America.

Pearl wrote: "In both "The Chrysanthemums" and in "The Storm", the women feel shut in with their life and marriage. They are both very far away from everyone and I sense that they might feel isolated and lonely...."
I feel the same way you do these women felt isolated, lonely and deprived of love from the husbands. I do feel once Elisa had attention given to her she was so happy and wanted the lifestyle that Tinker had. Calixta on the other hand was still in love with Alcee and when the opportunity was there she took it.

Alicia wrote: "The similarity between the two stories, “The Storm” and “The Chrysanthemums” is that both start with a gloomy theme. One starts with the storm and the other starts with foggy and cold day. It seems..."
I feel the same way you do about the two women. Elisa longs to be in a man's world and not be stuck in her boring life. Emotional her husband is not there for her but she mentally cheats on her husband. Elisa husband will never know either just like Calixta husband will never know of her physical discretions either. I just think it is quite sad women had to live this way and thankful we have come a long way.

Suzette wrote: "I'm starting to think, what she did was okay within reason, because it was back in the day and she wasn't happy in her marriage.. Her cheating was inevitable. She had to get her rocks off, and it w..."
Suzette is on the dark side now I love it. No I do feel as women we have desires and she did love this man from her past so what was wrong with it men do it for sex she at least had a emotional as well as a sexual connection with this man.

The two women in both stories feel trapped in the relationships they are in. Calixta is married to a man she does not truly love or desire and Elisa is trapped in a place she does not want to be. In both stories they are set in farm settings away from everyone so to me this represents isolation. Calixta takes care of her home and her children she sows and she is very particular with her son as far as she does not want her son's pants dirty. Elisa takes care of her chrysanthemums to great extreme and takes pride in that she has the best. I feel as both women long for different lives than what they have but because of the times, their gender they are forced to live the lives they are dealt. Both women have good husbands that take care of them per say they do not abuse them and they provide for them but both women long for something or someone else.

I am with you Naturalism is not a thing I believe either. We have certain control over everything we do. Most of us make a choice to have children and as you said if we believe in Naturalism then it would control this. While we all have desires and urges we do repress them and let our mind control for the most part our actions. I am with you because if this was not the case there would be some chaos in this society and I do believe we have enough as it is.