Kirsten’s Comments (group member since Jan 21, 2015)

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

Leslie wrote: "The story "Every Day Use" by Alice Walker is a story about a girl who surpasses poverty and her mother, just like any mother, is one to overcome anything in order to send her daughter off to pursue..."

I can see why Dee is unlikable. I personally don't dislike Dee. She is just being herself and going through different phases of her life.

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..."

Maggie was very nice in the story she let Dee have the quilts, those quilts were suppose to be used for her wedding. In my opinion Maggie made Dee look really bad and selfish.

In the story "Everyday Use" by Alice walker, I believe the author did not admire her as much because she changed her heritage. Dee didn't really admire her family because her family comes from a poor area. Unfortunately, when Dee got her education she forgot where she came from, Dee wanted the best of everything which was something her family couldn't have. Also, When Mama wanted Maggie to keep the quilt that has been passed down from generation to generation, Dee wanted to take it away. The mother states, "I didnt want to bring up how I had offered Dee a quilt when she went away to college. . she had told me they were old-fashion, and out of style." In the end, Maggie let Dee take the quilts so it could clear the tension in the air, "She can have them, Mama.. I can 'member grandma Dee without the quilts." These two quotes show how her Dee's attitude changed from everything being "old-fashion" to wanting something that was passed down from generations that wasn't going to be given to her. I do not believe that the traits that appear to be her shortcomings are actually both common and necessary for someone to progress in life. Dee made her own decision which lead her to become the person she is. She is not disliked either. Everybody in this story made their own choices and went through their own difficulties; therefore, I believe everyone in this story could be seen as admirable.

Shanda wrote: "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 peop..."

I agree shanda. Social class still plays a big role in todays society.Judging people for their looks happens on a daily bases. O'conner didnt seem to mind exposing these factors in her writting.

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 Alicia, shes takes religion too seriously to the point where she becomes very judgmental. Flannery's characters tend to put people down rather than lifting their spirits up.

The similarities in "A Good Man is Hard to Find" and "Revelations" by Flannery O'Conner is that both stories are very judgmental in appearance. In the story in "A Good Man is Hard to Find" the grandma judges everyone's appearance and acts. At one point, the grandma even brings religious reasons to save her own life. Just like "In a Good Man is Hard to Find" the exact same thing happens in "Revelations." The main character, Mrs. Turpin, judges the mom's, children, and the doctor in the office. In addition, she brings religious aspects into play by repeatedly thanking Jesus every night for not making her black and trashy. I believe Flannery O'Conner's main characters in these two stories think high of themselves and that is why they put other people down.

Leslie wrote: "The short story “The Overcoat” by Nikolai Gogol is about an ordinary man who lives day by day, as some of us would say. Akaky treasures an old coat he has owned for a while. This coat means a whole..."

I agree Leslie. People often ignore others if they don't meet their standards in society. People made fun of him and once he got a new coat everybody was giving him attention. I felt so bad when he got robbed because he worked so hard for his new coat.

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 agree, society says that you need to have the best of everything in order to be liked. Akakievich didn't have much and was never noticed. When he got a new coat, everybody noticed. Society never noticed him for other things that he would do which is cruel, he had to live his life trying to be accepted.

In the short story "The Overcoat" by Gogol is trying to say that appearance is everything in social society. Akakievich was often bullied by his co-workers so he would ignore them and acted like they didn't exist to get by with his day. One day, when Akavievich arrived home from work, he realized that his coat was the reason for the reason why his co workers were having fun bullying him at work. Akakievich took action and decided to take his coat to Pretovich the tailor so he could get it fixed. The tailor couldn't fix his coat because there was nothing to sew the coat to, it was completely rotten. With all hopes lost, Pretovich told Akavievich that he would have to get a new coat. Akavievich saved money to purchase a new. Once he got a new coat, his life changed around. He was more confident and everyone started noticing him. Things starting doing downfall again when the man robbed his coat. akavievich tried to get people attention but nobody saw or noticed anything. The next day he got sick which soon lead to his death.This story shows how cruel society can be. Nobody noticed akavievich for his personality, but rather for materialistic things.

"Akaky akakievich walked around in a happy holiday mood. He was full of the knowledge that he had a new overcoat on his shoulder, and several times he laughed with secret pleasure." -Nikolai Gogol

Leslie wrote: "After finishing the play of the “Death of a Salesman”, I realized the death of Willy Loman goes to show how ironic the whole play ended. I would of thought he would die of some natural cause but he..."

I agree Leslie. Willy contradicted himself. He wanted Charley to give him money, when Charley offered him a job he denied. Willy should have realized that the only way to live the American Dream is if you work hard.

Alicia wrote: "I believe that Willy Loman in “The Death of a Salesman” is a modern tragic hero. He cannot be a tragic hero because a tragic hero is a person of noble birth with heroic or potentially heroic qualit..."

Alicia, I disagree with you. I don't think Willy is a hero. He never faced reality and he lied about everything. The last page of the story was sad.

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 bills, willy denied. "Willy: I don't want your god dam Job...I--I just cant work for you, charley." Then Charley replied: "You been Jealous of me all your life, you dammed fool." The fact that Willy didn't want to accept the job offer when he was given one makes the simple demise of a small man. Also, Willy never took advice from anyone. He would block out every word people had to say. "Willy: So don't lecture me about facts and aspects. I am not interested." Willy was a troubled man. When he knew he couldn't do anything with his life he started thinking about his own death. He was contradicting himself throughout the whole play. Willy fabricated his own tragedy because of his foolish pride.

Leslie wrote: "The "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller is a play about a worn-out salesman, Willy Loman, who is after the american dream that everyone is after. Him being a salesman after so many years of work..."

I agree with you Leslie. Willy was blind. I think the American Dream got to his head. Willy thought things were going to go to him and he did't realize that you have to work hard to live the American Dream.

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 agree with you, Alicia. The family thought that being well liked meant that you can get whatever you want. Many people say "You have to know somebody in order to be somebody."

In Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, I believe the play show criticism of society. Willy is trying to support his family and have the best relationship with his kids. Unfortunately, his dream of having the best relationship with his family is overriding with the fact that he has to travel everywhere because he is a salesman. Since Willy is getting old it's becoming harder for him to travel because he daydreams too much. When Willy arrived home Linda, his wife, was a little shock because she didn't expect him to be home. His wife and him start having conversations about their sons Biff and Happy. Willy doesn't have the best relationship with Biff. Willy constantly criticizes Biffs laziness and all he can ever criticize is their success. Biff and Happy are trying to be successful in any possible way they can but it seems impossible to them. Towards the end of Act 1, Willy emphasizes that his kids need to be well liked in order for them to succeed. He takes it as far as comparing his kids to Bernard. Willy mentions that Bernard is smart but not very well liked; therefore, his kids can do better with their life. If people don't like them, then they wont be able to get anywhere in life. I believe Willy has the right intentions towards his kids and is giving him the best advice through his own experiences with society.

"Willy: That’s just what I mean, Bernard can get the best marks in school, y’understand, but when he gets out in the business world, y’understand, you are going to be five times ahead of him. That’s why I thank Almighty God you’re both built like Adonises. Because the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you will never want. You take me, for instance. I never have to wait in line to see a buyer. "Willy Loman is here!" That’s all they have to know and I go right through." -Arthur Miller

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 agree in the both stories the women had to find things to do to distract themselves while the guys worked. Its sad that Calixta intentions were mental in Chrysanthemums and in the storm calixta comitted adultry and didn't tell her husband.

Leslie wrote: "“The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck is another story about a marriage whose wife might not be happy in her marriage. Elisa and Henry are a common marriage that the wife stays home and husband go..."

I agree with you. We cant figure out why Calixta or Elisa were not being happy in their marriage. It seems like we have to come up with assumptions based on their actions.

I didnt say he was a whimp.

Yes, we all have moments of weakness but this doesnt make her actions right. we have the power to control our emotion. My beliefs lead me to believe that it was a lack of morality even if having sex with her first love made her happy.

I see what you aee trying to say, its contradicting.