Gabriel Evans
Professor Kaschock
English 103
6 June 2016
English Final Portfolio
Similar to last quarter’s class, I greatly appreciated the format of this hybrid English class. This hybrid style of learning benefitted my learning in many ways. I experienced aspects that both improved my learning and aspects that hindered it. I’d like to outline both the positive aspects and the negative in order to provide some constructive criticism for future classes.
The group setting of this class benefitted my learning by offering me different perspectives, critical examples, and helpful advice. When I was unsure about a discussion board post, I would often read other’s responses to use as guidance. When I wrote something that wasn’t up to par, I had the useful critiques of my classmates that helped me ensure I didn’t make the same mistakes again. Another area that helped me succeed were the small group sessions we had in class. This helped my understanding of the text on multiple occasions. For example, being able to break down the scrabble scene in “The Handmaid’s Tale” helped me to understand the underlying meaning of the nuances between Offred and The Commander that I otherwise would have never picked up on.
Besides the two above examples, I also enjoyed the variety of readings we focused on in this course. It enabled me to excel in some, while feeling the need to work harder to understand others. For example, I felt that I had a good grasp on the concepts of Black Box, while I struggled to understand some of the undertones of The Handmaid’s Tale. This made me rethink how I functioned as a writer and a reader. I had come into this class thinking that I wouldn’t have much trouble understanding the content, yet I was taken aback when I found myself unable to relate to some of the conversations in class. I even had to ask for advice on how to read in order to keep up with the rest of the class. This quarter pushed my boundaries and my understanding as both a writer and a reader.
I have to consider the format of our discussion board posts to be a reason for some of my troubles. One problem I had with this class’s format of discussion board was the time at which it was due. Having both the conversation and the mini-essay due at the same time made it harder for me to focus on just one subject of thought when it came to completing the assignments. Besides this, I found that the group work made up for my lack of quality in discussion board posts.
When thinking about the content of the class, I was intrigued by the science fiction genre. Besides reading novels like Brave New World, I hadn’t explored this subgenre of literature too much. Seeing the abnormal writing styles in the pieces of literature we read prompted me to want to further explore the subgenre. I especially liked the different formats that some of the works we read employed. Pieces such as Black Box and The Lottery were particularly interesting to me. In Black Box, the constant switch of subject matter was hard to understand at first, but as the story continued, this tactic was important to the impact of the story. The short sentences that made up the story also mirrored the command lines of an actual Black Box which provided an interesting explanation for the name of the story, as well. In The Lottery, the buildup of the plot provided a shock to the reader that made the story intense to read. By creating a point of view in the story from a narrator, it showed an indifference that exemplified the setting of the story effectively. Formats and plot devices from these above examples are what made the science fiction genre a worthy one to explore in this class. In The Handmaid’s Tale, I had trouble following the different story lines that Offred switched between. Going between past and present made it hard for me to understand what happened at which point of the story. I wish I had allocated more time to understand the story itself, but I was able to use the responses of my classmates to help understand certain aspects of the story better. I am grateful to have had access to their work throughout the quarter for me to use as a guide to understanding the content.
Overall, I feel that I grew during this quarter. My skills in reading have improved and my understanding of the Science Fiction genre has improved as well. I appreciated reading the unusual and often graphic stories that both surprised and impacted me greatly. I learned new methods of reading while understanding the content better and I also learned how to critique and be critiqued by my peers. All of these added up to a successful English class.
Week 1 Micro-Essay
The short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson is a tale of about a small village with a strange tradition. They are one of many villages to engage in a tradition that not only catches the reader by surprise, but makes them uncomfortable when the story is over. The story begins with a setting that seems calming and positive. A picture of a “full-summer day” with “flowers blossoming profusely” and “richly green” grass portrays to the reader that this story will be an inviting one (Jackson 1). This stays true as the town gathers for its yearly lottery. There is foreshadowing throughout the story that can be subtly picked up on if you look for it, but not everyone will see it until they realize the ending of this story.
There is a point in the story where I feel that the dialogue takes a turn from hopeful to somewhat disconcerting. This occurs when Mrs. Hutchinson exclaims to Mr. Summers, “You didn't give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn't fair!" (Jackson 5). What do you mean “fair”, Mrs. Hutchinson? I thought this was a lottery for something good. The reader then begins to realize that this lottery might not be such a good thing. Why had the townspeople mentioned that other towns had stopped doing it and what was Mrs. Hutchinson’s motivation for “forgetting” to join the other people at the meeting? It might now seem clear to some that there’s a reason for all of this.
Building off Mrs. Hutchinson’s exclamation, we become warier of what will happen in the rest of the story. This quote represents a harrowing feeling from Mrs. Hutchinson. It’s like she is scared of what the outcome of receiving this slip will create for her. She’s trying to prevent the outcome of it in any way she can.
Another aspect that makes this quote important is the reaction we see from Bill Hutchinson before Mrs. Hutchinson’s exclamation. Bill Hutchinson “was standing quiet, staring down at the paper in his hand.” (Jackson 5) This also portrays a sense of worry for the reader. If receiving the slip was a good thing, then we wouldn’t see Bill standing quietly. Both of these examples give a valid explanation for the importance of this quote.
In the end, we see the crux of the story in this quote because of the mood it portrays and the reactions it provokes. It changes the feeling of the story from that of a positive one, to something much more sinister.
Week 2 “Interview”
Interview with Gan. Interviewer = I, Gan = G
I: Gan it’s nice to meet you after such a long time leading up to today.
G: I’m glad I can talk to someone besides my family in person. I get lonely and frustrated with them.
I: What would you say is the most frustrating thing about living with your family?
G: To me it’s the push and pull of loving them and being scared for my life.
I: Why would you be scared for your life?
G: Ok, I don’t know how to explain but my “mother”, L’Gatoi, needs me for something that gives me chills.
G: Ok, I don’t know how to explain but my “mother”, L’Gatoi, needs me for something that gives me chills.
I: Can you explain further?
G: yeah… I guess I can. L’Gatoi is what we call a Tlic. A Tlic can no longer rear their own young. They need my kind to reproduce.
I: What do they need you for?
G: As hosts for their “worms”.
I: Why does this scare you?
G: I’d rather not say why it scares me.
I: Did something happen to you that would make you feel scared to be used as a host?
G: Something like that, yes.
I: I’d like to get a better understanding of what you mean if it isn’t too much to ask.
G: I saw L’Gatoi extract her “worms” from a man and I saw her cut him open and I’m having trouble talking about it. It just looked so painful.
I: Why did this scare you the way it did?
G: Because that’s what L’Gatoi is going to do to me.
I: How can you be so sure?
G: Because that’s the reason she lives with us!
I: No need to yell I was only asking.
G: Thinking about it brings back terrible thoughts.
I: I’m sorry I pushed it.
G: No, it’s fine. You’re lucky you don’t have to be scared for your life.
I: I am, but in different ways.
G: Please, explain to me how your situation is worse than mine.
I: I’m not saying that. All I’m saying is we all have things that make our life hard. Yours may just be a bit harder than others.
G: What is it that makes you struggle? Can I ask you that question?
I: I guess so. The hardest part of my life is making ends meet, both financially and emotionally.
G: You can’t even begin to compare.
I: No, I can’t. But you asked.
G: Imagine waking up up every day and having to anticipate immense pain by a creature that not only cares for you, but also loves you like my own mother. Despite that, I’m considered her “property”. It’s degrading, harrowing and just plain scary.
I: I can’t even begin to understand how that must feel.
G: No, I don’t think you can. I don’t wish it upon you ever. Enjoy your seemingly easy life. Maybe I’ll meet you again one day. I can assure you that I will not look the same the next time I see you.
I: How do you mean?
G: You’ll see a few more scars. Most notably the big gash that covers me from nose to anus.
Week 3 Mini-Essay Due 15 April 2016
48
You wake up with a headache from the drugs given to you on the whirling machine with two rotors.
It may seem they did this to keep you safe, but it only hindered your abilities.
Abilities to what? You have none left.
You even said it before; You left a different person the moment you stepped out the door.
Don’t overthink the situation for it will give you headaches.
Your husband is waiting for your safe return.
Sometimes your mind wanders to weird places.
In and out of consciousness.
Is the wall white or beige?
What’s that beeping?
It’s your pulse.
49
They tried to kill you.
No, you’re a hero. They wouldn’t do that.
Your husband is waiting. You need to have children. You need to be the same person.
But you’re not.
A firm bed is better for your back than a soft one.
Soldiers sleep on hard ground and when they return to their soft beds they can’t sleep.
You feel like a soldier.
The nurse says “your phone is ringing”
You can’t hear the phone. Only your own voice in your head.
Tap your ear cartilage to turn on the mic.
Swat your ear again to turn it off.
At least you remember that much.
50
Listen to the T.V. at low volumes so you don’t hurt your ears.
“Too late for that” you record in the mic.
Is that your husband’s face in your eyes?
He looks different.
Time will do that. It’s common knowledge that those without their loved ones by their side age faster than those with them.
Where did that grey hair come from?
His eyes. They look tired.
How long has he traveled to see me?
Why are you not smiling?
Oh wait, you can’t. Your body won’t let you.
You look down and see the burns. He does too.
51
Was it the helicopter?
Will you be ok?
Your husband shakes his head.
He mouths to you, “I’ve missed you so much”
You can’t hear him.
Lip reading is a beneficial skill to have if you encounter a sound proof window.
Now is a useful time for it too.
“you are a hero”, he says.
No you’re not.
Why?
That’s the question you can’t answer.
I decided after reading this that I would have a good time writing what would happen after the end of the story. I had some trouble with the unrelated details to the story since they are abstract with words and phrases that I’m just not used to writing yet, but I feel that I can mimic her style adequately. I left the continuation mostly ambiguous because I felt that the story was the same way. My idea was for her to wake up in a hospital bed after a helicopter crash. Though I didn’t make it completely obvious that this is what happened, I tried to leave a few hints. I also had her husband come to find her and realize she is not the same person as when she left him since she did say that earlier in the story. I finished off by toying with the idea of her being a hero or not. I wanted to leave it up to the reader to make the decision because though she might have done, she was left in a dilapidated state so to her husband she’s not his hero. All she is is the memories he once had of her, but she is no longer what he knows and loves.
Week 4 Micro-Essay Due 22 April 2016
While reading “The Semplica-Girl Diaries” I became intrigued by the writer of this odd piece of literature. I find it safe to assume that most readers found “The Semplica-Girl Diaries” to be both disturbing and frustrating, among other feelings. Besides these reactions, I also wanted to learn about the background of the author who was able to provide the scientific details provided in this story. What I found was expected, but also quite interesting.
George Saunders was born in Texas grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. He initially went to school for engineering in Colorado and received a degree in geophysical engineering. After learning this, I was reminded of the many people I’ve heard stories from about how they went to school to study one thing only to realize that it wasn’t for them at all. I knew this was the case for George Saunders almost immediately. Saunders has said on his background, “…any claim I might make to originality in my fiction is really just the result of this odd background: basically, just me working inefficiently, with flawed tools, in a mode I don't have sufficient background to really understand. Like if you put a welder to designing dresses” (Saunders). This was the answer to my question about where he got his knowledge of science, which he became famous for interweaving with fiction. To me, the story we just read this week is much like Saunders’ original education. The reader can tell that the main character of the story doesn’t like his work or his life and needs to make a change, much like Saunders before he discovered writing.
Turning a new leaf in 1988, Saunders received a degree in creative writing from Syracuse University. He has stayed on as a creative writing teacher from 1996 at Syracuse University to this day. He also met his future wife at the creative writing program and got engaged three weeks after their first meeting.
So contrary to what was stated before about turning a new leaf and doing what Saunders loved, Saunders still worked in the engineering sector in Rochester. Only during this time, he was publishing short stories to publications like The New Yorker, Harper’s Bazaar and GQ.
Saunders has continually stated that he was inspired by Kurt Vonnegut, the author of Harrison Bergeron among other famous pieces of literature, which a story we read earlier this semester. Saunders even stated the following in a letter about Vonnegut, "Reading Vonnegut, a sudden understanding of what 'genius' might actually mean, in our time, swept over me. Here was an author courageous enough to concede all expected literary treasures ... for small potent drops of real truth. Here was an author who had been, perhaps, so deeply saddened by what he had seen, that he had dropped, in his sadness, all falseness” (Saunders). Saunders has embraced many of the tactics that Vonnegut uses. That being the incorporation of futuristic distopias and focus on corporate culture and consumerism. “The Semplica-Girl Diaries” in particular made connections to “Harrison Bergeron” with the SG’s. The SG’s, like the characters in “Harrison Bergeron”, are held back from true freedom without the knowledge of their capabilities.
After doing this research on George Saunders, I had a better understanding for why he incorporated science fiction elements into his stories and I have more of an appreciation for his work. I’d like to read more of his work. As an aside, I think an informative read of Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut would be a good thing to undertake in the near future.
Works Cited
Saunders, George. "God Bless You, Mr. Vonnegut." Writers Under the Influence: George
Saunders on Slaughterhouse Five. Amazon.com, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.
Saunders, George. "The Semplica-Girl Diaries." The New Yorker. Conde Nast, 08 Oct. 2012. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.
"The Wag Charts with George Saunders." Interview by Doug Childers. WAG. Riverrun Enterprises, 1 July 2000. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.
Week 5 Mini-Essay Due 29 April 2016
In the story “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula Le Guin, we experience a world that begins as a cheerful and positive place. This utopian society is described in poignant detail through the use of terms like “merry” and “shimmering”. It portrays a positive tone that sets the reader up to enjoy the experience of reading a pleasant story of a horse race.
The scene described was “joyous” and happy, like the citizens that inhabited it. The citizens were described as “mature, intelligent, passionate adults whose lives were not wretched” (Le Guin 1). I loved the setup for this story because I was expecting something more enlightening to read than the previous reading material of the course. But, nevertheless, we are in a science-fiction-centered class that has a tendency to read dark material. Naturally, this piece of literature follows suit.
The turning point of the short story is the line “It looks about six, but actually is nearly ten. It is feeble-minded. Perhaps it was born defective or perhaps it has become imbecile through fear, malnutrition, and neglect (Le Guin 3). Leading up to this point, we hadn’t been exposed to anything retched or sinister in nature. With this line we are given just the opposite. In it a character is described that first of all does not hold an identification. It is not personified. Instead, it is referred to as essentially just an object. A neglected one at that. What pains me the most is the lack of identifying this “thing” as anything other than a device used for purpose. The reader understands that this is a person Le Guin is referring to, yet it is not described as such.
Additionally, Le Guin describes in this sentence the circumstance this character has endured. “Fear, malnutrition, and neglect” describe the terrible context of this character’s situation. Again, this is not something the reader was expecting leading up to this point. From this point on, the story takes on a darker tone, that which pains the reader and certain characters in the story. With descriptions such as, “these young spectators are always shocked and sickened at the sight. They feel disgust, which they had thought themselves superior to. They feel anger, outrage, impotence, despite all the explanations” (Le Guin 4), the reader starts to develop a similar feeling of disgust and anger. I, for one, was taken aback by this turning point in the story. I knew that there had to be some kind of upset to the positivity of the story, but I didn’t expect the circumstance of the happiness to be caused by “abominable misery”, which the citizens unfortunately relied on.
Week 6 Conversation
The way Atwood builds the world of Offred is quietly comprehensive. She first describes her past and what brings her to the point she is at today. This provides the reader with a basis for what to expect for the character in the future. Though we are mostly unaware of what will happen, it’s easier for the reader to make assumptions based on learning about her past. For instance, we learn early on that she was previously in a relationship with a man named Luke. Atwood doesn’t provide too many details about this aspect of her past, but it gives us a reason to believe that there was a vast change in her life that was most likely beyond her control. In that same vein, most of Offred’s life is beyond her control now. She is mostly helpless presently. Given her role as a handmaid to a harsh commander’s wife, she isn’t offered many freedoms. We do learn that she does have aspirations, though. These mostly concern being able to touch others. I expect that she will overcome this helplessness as the story continues. It is hinted that there are things that Offred is holding back that will be brought out later on.
Week 6 Mini Essay “Outside Research”
“The Handmaid’s Tale” is very clearly a dystopian novel. From early on, we realize this world is set in a world that is much different from the one we live in now. Dystopian is defined as, “a community or society that is undesirable or frightening” (Merriam Webster). It’s demonstrated clearly though details like, “Angels”, “Wives”, “The Guardians”. These are all terms used to describe different types of people in this world that have different roles. These characters are reduced to only performing specific roles and they are clearly not happy in their situations. Their freedoms are reduced by blinders called “wings”. Offred described a time when she was walking to town and she couldn’t see what was in front of her; "I don't see the floodlights and the pillboxes, because of the wings around my face. I just know they are there" (Atwood 20). This is just one example of the many reasons these characters are living in a world where no one is there by choice and more likely out of helplessness. To me, this seems like a society that has lost its economy. It could potentially be a post-apocalyptic world, as well. The use of “tokens” instead of money to buy food and Guardians always watching over everyone suggests this. This story makes parallels to other influential novels in literature that also portray dystopian worlds.
I have always been fascinated by dystopian novels like this one. One of my favorites is “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley. There are many themes in Aldous Husley’s novel that relate to this one. Mustopha Mond, the world controller of The World State, is one that comes to mind. He plays a similar role to that of Serena Joy, the Controllers Wife that oversees the Handmaids including Offred, due to their power complex. Bernard Marx, the main character of Brave New World, plays a similar role to that of Offred. They both face opposition at multiple time throughout the story. The overarching similarity comes in the dystopian world that both stories have built. In “The Handmaid’s Tale” the government is less apparent than in Brave New World, though there does seem to be military control.
Both of these stories have similarities to their dystopian world that create interest for readers who find these worlds fascinating. Aldous Huxley created one of the most compelling dystopian world in literature. Margaret Atwood created a similarly good example of a dystopian world that both makes you cringe and compelled.
Works Cited
Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid's Tale. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1986. Print.
"Brave New World." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 05 May 2016.
Definition of Dystopia. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 05 May 2016.
Summary of Margaret Atwood’s world:
The society of the characters living in “The Handmaid’s Tale” is a seemingly different and scary world. People in this world are categorized ways that are unexpected. The main character, Offred, is a handmaid to The Controller’s Wife. The Controller is a dictator-like figure that reigns over this dystopian society. His wife, ____, is also a dictator-like figure to the people she reigns over. The people she reigns over are those in the house, her handmaids. There are a few of them and they all were forced into their positions after an important event that is unbeknownst to us at this time. There is also a heavy military influence in this society. The Guardians, as they are called, watch over everyone’s moves and ensures their safety. These handmaids do not have freedoms and consider themselves helpless to free themselves from their current situation. It is a product of the society they live in. It seems there are less opportunities for pleasure in the society for the vast majority of people living in it.
In “The Handmaid’s Tale” people are categorized. The main character, Offred, is a handmaid to The Controller’s Wife. The commander’s wife, reigns over the household. She keeps a handmaid and two domestic servants. Handmaids do not have any freedoms and are helpless to free themselves from their position of enslavement. It seems people have less opportunities for pleasure in the society for the vast majority of people living in it.
Week 8 Mini-Essay “Crux”
Through reading “The Handmaid’s Tale” I have often questioned the circumstances that allowed the society to become what it has in regards to the relationship between men and women. Understanding the power complex that men have in the society is an important aspect of the story that was still largely unknown to me. Men seem to generally have more freedom to do as they please whilst the women have none of this freedom. Seeing Offred, a Handmaid whose sole purpose to to produce a child for the Commander, develop an intimate, yet not explicitly sexual, relationship with the Commander was unexpected. Seeing Offred enjoy freedoms like apply hand lotion and speak her mind during her private sessions with the Commander became to bring about the question of why the Commander chose to develop this relationship with Offred. When I came across the scene where the Commander explains part of the reason for this was eye-opening. He said on the subject, “The problem wasn’t only with the women, he says. The main problem was with the men. There was nothing for them anymore… I’m not talking about sex, he says. That was part of it, the sex was too easy… You know what they were complaining about the most? Inability to feel. Men were turning off on sex, even. They were turning off on marriage. Do they feel now? I say. Yes, he says, looking at me. Yes they do” (Atwood 210). This quote provided insight into the Commander’s motivation for his relationship with Offred. It provides a similar insight into the formation of Gilead. After women had gained power in the society and men had lost their purpose of protecting and providing, they had lost meaning in their life. Sex became meaningless to them because they had the “inability to feel”. The present society in Gilead came about because of this unfairness. What was left was lack of freedom on both sides, though. I felt this was most apparent in the Commander’s relationship with Offred. It wasn’t based on sex because that’s not his goal. He wants to feel a level of intimacy that he otherwise wouldn’t be able to obtain. It occurred to me that this relationship is not uncommon in Gilead. Since men really want to feel a connection, they must seek it out in unconventional ways, such as playing scrabble. One of the more important points in that scene is that the Commander asks for Offred’s opinion. It provides yet another example for the intimacy that the Commander seeks. Offred plays it off as an unimportant request, but it shows that the Commander appreciates Offred on a level deeper than just a necessary one for reproduction. This comment provides important insight for how men act towards women and why it is crucial that Offred doesn’t undermine the importance of their relationship.
Week 1 Conversation
The focus on Mrs. Hutchinson’s character is not something I expected to become important in the latter half of the story. It seemed that there were identifiers in the story that foreshadowed the ending, but they caught me almost entirely by surprise. I say “almost” because a key point in the story that pointed to the ending was when Mrs. Hutchinson saw the slip her husband had received and said “it isn’t fair.” When I read that line I didn’t realize why she said it, but looking back after finishing the story I fully understand why she made that exclamation. Mrs. Hutchinson was focused on in a way that was unique in the story when compared to the other characters. She seemed light hearted and carefree, but that quickly changed as the story progressed. It portrayed a sense of uneasiness. When we see a character change their mood so drastically (from nonchalance to worried), it has a similar effect on the reader. I didn’t feel as worried as some of my classmates did because I didn’t pick up on the foreshadowing, but I see why my classmates were so worried. I was overall surprised that Mrs. Hutchinson was stoned at the end of the story. I think that was the goal of the author, though.
Week 2 Conversation
In “Bloodchild” by Octavia Butler, the reader experiences a story told in the first person. This differs from the viewpoint of “The Lottery”, which is a third-person viewpoint. What “Bloodchild” is able to achieve by using a first person narrative is that of a more personal and chilling experience. The story unfolds through the eyes of Gan, a young boy who lives with a “mother” named L’Gatoi that takes care of and eventually uses Gan to birth her children. This interaction between the two characters is both intriguing and chilling. We learn that L’Gatoi needs Gan as a surrogate host for her children, which will cause Gan immense pain. When told through the first person lens, the difficult realization that Gan must face when he sees what will happen to him after experiencing it happen to someone else is more powerful and more intense than if it was told through a third person on looker. In “The Lottery” the third person narrative creates and apathetic and unbiased viewpoint that makes for a diminished sense of sympathy towards the characters. In “Bloodchild”, the first person narrative creates a more poignant base for forming opinions about characters because we can only see the world from one character’s eyes, thus creating opinions based on that viewpoint.
Conversation Week 3 Due 15 April 2016
While initially reading Black Box by Jennifer Egan I felt uneasy while trying to understand the subject matter. At first, I thought it was more of a narrative with interwoven thoughts by an outside source. It became apparent fairly quickly that the story was that of a spy in the Mediterranean set in the near future. It reminded me of a James Bond novel but the protagonist being a girl. What I couldn’t quite grasp are the short lines in between the story such as, “Childish attention-seeking is usually satisfied at the expense of real power” (Egan 22). Thoughts like these puzzled my understanding of the story. I was able to interpret the meaning of different thoughts not pertaining to the story as those that an outside source was talking to the main character through an earpiece I guess? It was a futuristic story, so I imagine the mic inside her ear doubled as an earpiece for someone like M or Q from James Bond. It could also be interpreted as instructions that the spy is recording in her thoughts to other “beauties”. What makes that ambiguous, though, is the use of second person. It makes the story not only original, but very hard to read as well. Overall, I’d say that despite the story’s length and ambiguity, it was an interesting work that I’d like to learn more about.
Week 4 Conversation Due 23 April 2016
This is one of the most interesting stories we’ve read so far. This being a first person story like “Bloodchild” they both followed a similar style, though the experiences in the story are vastly different. I enjoyed the writing style for George Saunders main character in the story. Using such simplistic, almost Neanderthal, type writing said a lot about the mental capabilities of the main character in a way I hadn’t seen done before. It made me feel sorry for his unfortunate life. Contrary to how it made me feel bad, I also felt like I wanted to just go in there and slap him into shape. I had a hard time watching the terrible events unfold because of his stupid financial decisions. He just seemed so one-track minded. If you look at it compared to “Bloodchild”, I feel much less sympathy for the main character to this story compared to Gan. I felt sorrier for Gan. He was less in control of his life than this man and helpless as a result. I think that this story mostly reminds me of a family we know who happens to be our cousins-in-law. The son works at a pizza place and has two kids. He’s in his late 20’s. Whenever we talk about him we feel conflicted because on one hand we feel sorry for his capacity to make decisions, but on the other we just want to tell make sure he doesn’t do stuff like that again. Evidently, like the main character in George Saunder’s story, that may not be too easy to achieve.
Week 6 Conversation
The way Atwood builds the world of Offred is quietly comprehensive. She first describes her past and what brings her to the point she is at today. This provides the reader with a basis for what to expect for the character in the future. Though we are mostly unaware of what will happen, it’s easier for the reader to make assumptions based on learning about her past. For instance, we learn early on that she was previously in a relationship with a man named Luke. Atwood doesn’t provide too many details about this aspect of her past, but it gives us a reason to believe that there was a vast change in her life that was most likely beyond her control. In that same vein, most of Offred’s life is beyond her control now. She is mostly helpless presently. Given her role as a handmaid to a harsh commander’s wife, she isn’t offered many freedoms. We do learn that she does have aspirations, though. These mostly concern being able to touch others. I expect that she will overcome this helplessness as the story continues. It is hinted that there are things that Offred is holding back that will be brought out later on.
Week 7 Conversation Due 13 May 2016
The first person world that Margaret Atwood created in “The Handmaid’s Tale” gives us a narrow view of the society that Offred lives in. Atwood uses flashbacks to give us more insight into how the society came to be. Through this, the reader is able to make comparisons to the old society that Offred lived in with Luke, her daughter and her mother. The flashback to this time gives the reader the feeling that Offred was a much different person before the events that led her to the present day. The flashbacks to the retraining center gives the reader more information on Offred’s relationship with Moira, which later becomes a danger to her with the government. The flashback is also used to provide more of a basis for why the Handmaids act the way they do in the new society. By providing this information, we understand that they were brainwashed into thinking that their lives wouldn’t be as bad they might seem.
These flashbacks also flow into the present day for Offred. When Moira appears suddenly in the present, it gives Offred a new found reason to continue going on. A similar reaction occurred when Luke appeared as a wish. These events come together to help Offred through her current situation.
Week 8 Conversation
After reading the academic commentary at the end of “The Handmaid’s Tale”, I felt that I had a little more closure about how the story ended. Learning that the story took place sometime in past was crucial to me because of my concern of what happened to Offred. Even though we don’t know exactly what happens to her, it can be implied that she was freed. I found it interesting learning about the circumstances that made the Gileadean era come about. The birth rate decline, diseases and catastrophic events were all important to learn about. It was also interesting to learn about where Atwood’s ideas for the world of Gilead came from. Making comparisons to real life societies was something I expected of the story, but was still unaware of. The totalitarian ideals were mirrored closely in the society. I appreciated learning about all the ways that Atwood’s story is similar to ours. I would still love to know more about what happened to Offred after she escaped, though.
Week 1 Responses in response to Timothy Lechman on Outside Research
Tim, you did a great job making parallels to the themes of the story with what we see in today’s society. Citing Donald Trumps rallies worked well here. The idea of the mob mentality holds true in both respects. It’s scary that we see these problems in today’s society as well as those of yesteryear. I liked the way you incorporated The Daily Beast article into your mini essay. The quote you used was a good example of the mob mentality. Another thing you could have talked about was the safety in numbers idea. I think that if this lottery had been done individually, then the outcome would have been different. The same would go for Trump’s rallies. There is safety in numbers.
I also liked the example you made with ISIS. Glorifying violence in this way is unfortunately something we see today. You exemplified this well. It amazes me that people use children, who are so hopelessly easy to influence, to do their bidding. We live in a scary world and ISIS and this story prove it best. You can also use this violence mentality as an example with Trump.
Overall, you did a great job comparing real world examples with themes in this story. Well done.
Response to Tina Tong Crux
Tina, I liked the quote you chose for the crux of the story. “‘It isn’t fair, it isn’t right,’ Mrs Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her" was an essential part of the story. I liked your method of explanation of the quote’s importance. You also provided a nice argument for why it was an odd tradition.
There was many forms foreshadowing that you could have used, but this quote trumped them for sure. I enjoyed your analysis and explanations.
Week 2: In Response to Carly Smith
Carly, I enjoyed reading your response to the most important line of “Bloodchild.” The perspective you brought forth was one I had not previously thought of. Realizing that T’Gatoi cares for her family is a key to a whole side of the story that is only realized at the end. It changes the way we think about T’Gatoi. Going from a character we are kind of supposed to hate to one we are almost sympathizing for is not only unexpected, but also also quite rewarding. I too thought that T’Gatoi was seducing her family members without any sympathetic reason. I too was proven otherwise. How did it make you feel when T’Gatoi said “I’ll take care of you?” To me, it was still off-putting because for some reason I didn’t believe her. It seems you thought that what she said was genuine. I still think that T’Gatoi treats her family members a little like slaves in her own way, even if she does seemingly care for them. I just didn’t really buy it. It’s also true that Gan went through a hard day. I don’t know what I would have done in that situation. I assume you might have an interesting stance on what you would do. Maybe we should talk about it in class.
Response to Sumaiya Week 2
You and I both did an interview of Gan. I’d like to compare yours to mine in a few ways if that ok with you. I really enjoyed the myriad of questions you touched upon with Gan. It covered a lot of ground. I think that was something I wish I had done. I do feel that you could have had Gan expand on a bit more with his questions. Jumping from one question to the next without letting Gan explain more made the interview less impactful. I also liked that you touched on how Gan feels in his society. That’s something I didn’t focus on and wish I did. Overall, I think you did an excellent job on this interview but I wish you has asked less questions and delved deeper into the pressing questions you posed.
Responses to Week 3 Mini-Essay Due 18 April 2016
Brandon,
The research you did was quite informative! I’m glad I got to learn more about the author of this curious short story. It gave me a little more understanding of the motivations and stylistic choices Egan went about choosing for this story. I found it particularly interesting that Egan writes on legal paper for her fiction work and that she doesn’t read through her work. She claims her writing to be “an unconscious outpouring that’s a mess…” I think that’s quite true given the writing style. I’d have to say that I do somewhat of the same stuff. I also thought it was cool that you found the character to be based on her character from “The Goon Squad”. I like that she crosses over her stories in that way. I think it’s really cool that you were so intrigued by her writing and you want to learn more about it. That shows true devotion to your work and I’m glad you found some enjoyment in that.
Bryan,
I, too, am happy to read something a bit different than a crux or additional research. I chose to do a missing scene as well and I felt that this writing style gave a good basis for creating a good precursor to the story. I did like the scene you chose and I like the reasoning you had for choosing to explore this scene as well. However, there are a few things I felt didn’t make sense. First of all, she didn’t have a child. It would have made more sense if the scene only included the husband. I also felt that there weren’t enough “instructions”. It was mostly inner thoughts and not short quips about how things are supposed to be done like in the story. Comparing to the story, I felt that this scene was less like the story and more of its own creation in itself. If you choose to do a missing scene again I’d suggest staying more true to the style of the original story.
Responses Due 25 April 2016
Sumaiya,
I really enjoyed the way you embodied Saunders’ writing style. It reflected well when compared to the original story. I must say that your work was well done here. I think it was important that you made a continuation to the story because it did seem to end abruptly. The outcome you chose was unexpected, yet believable. I really hope that the job works well for him. I can’t help but think that he will drive himself crazy in the future because he’ll be working two jobs. I also feel that the way he reacted to his daughter’s mistake was exemplary. It’s important to believe that your kids are supposed to inherit good values and it seems that the narrator understands that through your writing. Overall, well done on this continuation of the story.
Ryan,
I liked the ending you chose to write about. It did leave me feeling happy. It seemed like an important way to go given the ending that Saunders made. Your writing style removed adjectives and I enjoyed that at certain places, but in others it felt odd. I think it was a good way to go, but maybe not as the only stylistic choice. I was also surprised when he won the lottery again. It made me feel that his life isn’t so bad and he has the opportunity to get his life on the ground. I’m glad you chose to do this. Having a happy ending was a great thing to see. Overall, well done in making this story have an ending that raises the spirits of its readers.
Response to Naoimi
Naomi,
I agree with Stephen that there could have been more ways to make this piece feel complete. You chose a great topic to focus on, though. The biblical references are so apparent in The Handmaid's Tale that it's almost impossible not to consider their importance. I think you did a good job with citing excerpts that proved its importance well. Specifically, the quote you used where they passed the wall of hanging bodies was a good one to use. I also liked how you compared it to the preachings of the Televangelists. Mirroring the teachings with the happenings in the chapter in regards to homosexuality was a good choice. I wish you had expanded more upon Jerry Faldwell. He seemed to bridge the outside research with the book and there wasn't enough information on why that is. Another thing I wish you had done is to explain the concept of the handmaid's function a bit better. You left us hanging there a bit.
Overall I'd say your mini-essay was well written and there are a few places where you can easily improve it.
Response to Stephen:
Stephen,
I enjoyed reading the research you conducted about Margaret Atwood. There were some great comparisons you made to both literature and real life today. I chose to do outside research and I compared to Brave New World. I think you made a better comparison with 1984. The comparison you made to the religious themes of The Handmaid's Tale to the technological themes for 1984. I'd like to read 1984 after learning more about the themes you compared to with The Handmaid's Tale. I think there are a lot of similarities to the two dystopian worlds and you only started to uncover them.
I also enjoyed reading the comparison you made to ISIS. I had never thought about making that connection. It makes sense that the two are similar because of their orthodox religious views. I think it's true that Atwood's story still works well in today's society. I'm glad I was able to read your analysis of it.
Response to Bryan:
Bryan,
I liked what you did with your crux response. You raised some good points in the above material. What I liked most was when you said, "how can be seen as a uphoric place and what do we have to sacrifice to achieve our happiness." I think it's important for us to consider this issue of sacrifice. It's clear that the townspeople were aware of what was going on and that it was wrong. You can really relate that issue to real life in so many different instances. We sacrifice so much to lead a life of happiness.
I wish you had only included one line for the crux of the response. It's a little unnecessary to include two in my opinion. Another thing you should make sure of is that you are proofreading your work because there were a few grammatical errors. Otherwise, keep up the good work.
Week 8 peer response:
Excellent crux response! It seems that you had a good understanding of what was going on in this story. I thought it was key that you included the moral aspect of the story. It's hard to fathom how these people were just ok with letting this "sacrificial lamb" be treated in the way that it was. I really liked that connection you made. The child is sort of that sacrificial lamb in a sense. I wish that it didn't have to be this way, as I'm sure you do, too, but, alas, that's what the story has presented to us.
The line you used, “They all know that it has to be there.”(Leguins), is definitely a key player in the story and I'm glad you chose it because it clearly shows the conflict that the townspeople had concerning this tarnish on their lives.
