Blog Assingment # 5

“The Epilogue: Prospero’s Masterpiece”

In order for a play to be successful, a playwright must always look for ways in which the audience can be involved, both mentally and emotionally. Presenting a play to an audience is not an easy task; it requires the use of certain techniques such as prologue, plot, climax and conclusion or epilogue. Although each technique plays in important role, the epilogue - the concluding statement of a character towards the audience- is of extreme importance. An epilogue’s main purpose is to make a good impression on the audience so that they can consider broader issues, make new connections, and elaborate the significance of their findings during performance of the play. This is particularly true in the Tempest, where the epilogue is designed to clarifying any misconceptions. One “misconception” the epilogue is designed to dispel is the play’s unsettling idea that the universe may not “naturally” be in control of benevolent beings or forces. Thus, to prevent the audience from dwelling on such unpleasant thoughts, Prospero comes out at the end of the play to assure that the play’s ending really is a “happy ending”. He does this by invoking images of masters and servants and (this time) carefully placing himself in the role of the weak, subservient, harmless servant. Relying on pathos, Prospero’s epilogue does not only fulfill the expectations for an epilogue, but it also restores Prospero’s image as a harmless old man.

Prospero’s epilogue at the end of the play ultimately restores his image before the eyes of the audience. What appears to be a malignant magician whose magical powers control the sea and skies at will, turns out to be an honest old man whose only intentions are to regain what rightfully belongs to him. At the beginning of the play; however, the audience might “doubt the sincerity” of his actions without further persuasion. As such, the use of a good epilogue arises for this character because it is his only change to explain his mischievous deeds. After Prospero gives up his magic he addresses the audience directly, “ Now tat my charms are all o’erthrown, and what strength I have’s mine own, which is most faint.” Here, the audience cannot help but feel sympathy for him. Prospero’s use of pathos in the introduction shows the human underneath all the magic. The use of the word “faint” has a positive effect on the audience as he tells the audience that he is not only a human as any other inhabitant on the island, but that he is also approaching the old age.

Having offered a good introduction to the epilogue, Prospero now grants the “master-role” to the audience saying: “ Now ‘tis true I must be here confined by you… and pardoned the deceiver, dwell in this bare island by your spell, but release me from by bands with the help of your good hands”. Notice the shift of roles hereafter. Having granted the audience a role of authority shows that Prospero is, and has been all along during the play, a servant to the audience just as Ariel is to Prospero or Caliban for that matter. Interestingly, Prospero’s role as servant allows the audience to make a new connection showing how the theme of “mastery and servitude” is employed throughout the play and allowing them to see how both depend on each other in order for the entire play to be successful.

Subsequently after having appealed to pathos and shown a theme in the play through his epilogue, Prospero concludes his epilogue saying: “Or else my project fails, which was to please…unless I be relived by prayer that assaults mercy itself and frees all faults. As you from crimes would pardoned be, let you indulgence set me free”. Prospero’s mastery of the epilogue is what allows him to succeed. In the first part of the quote, Prospero points out that all his deeds had to be done in order to please the audience. The use of this phrase reinforces once more the “mastery and servitude” theme in the play and justifies his actions. Prospero’s clever use of words such as “mercy”, “faults”, “crimes”, “indulgence”, and “free” strengthen his epilogue and create a sense of sympathy from the audience towards his persona. In the end, Prospero’s epilogue does not only fulfill the expectations for an epilogue, but it also lessens the disturbing impact of his actions, by confirming that they were interesting “flukes” in the natural order—they are not meant to that godlike powers can really be usurped by weak and corrupt individuals. The “image that is restored” to the audience here is the image of Prospero as a harmless old man, and image that the audience needs if it is to retain its faith in the idea of the Great Chain of Beings controlled by a benevolent power.

" Inner Conflict" Blog Assingment # 4

Mauricio Rubio

10/18/09

792

“Inner Conflict”

Analyzing the dark side of human psychology reveals an internal conflict within one’s self: the constant battle of the conscience to achieve equilibrium between good and evil. Both “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”, and to a certain extent “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry”, analyze this thematic idea in such a vivid manner that it not only provides a deep sense of understanding as to why it originates and the consequences it brigs forth, but it also furthers the idea and shows how each individual- Prufrock and Whitman-- struggles to cope with each situation. The lack of "achievement" is the primary form of "evil" that the narrators here struggle with. Specifically, speakers are sensitive enough to feel guilty for not achieving anything particularly remarkable during their lives or having failed to "serve" society enough. As a result they are more sensitive to their "failures" now that they have (apparently) reached a point in their lives in which imminent death has become a prevalent factor.

Although the thematic ideas of both poems are the same, the way in which each author deals with it, varies. Whitman’s approach to the examination of his internal struggle is revealed towards the end of the poem in section 6, where its dark content and use of gloomy imagery reveals a troubled Whitman eager to expose his struggle with society. Whitman’s optimistic tone changes radically in this section as he sets the tone and alerts the audience of what is imminent: “ It is not upon you alone the dark patches fall, the dark threw its patches on me also…nor is it you alone who know what it is to be evil, I am he who knew what it was to be evil.” However, the tone of Whitman's poem becomes more upbeat (suggested at least by the increasing number of exclamation points used to punctuate the later lines) because Whitman implies that he has "served" humanity by celebrating it in his poems and by creating more hopeful and human-centered readers.

Arguing to himself is how Prufrock introduces the problem directly, revealing his desire to talk to a woman but concerned as to what others might think of him: “And indeed there will be time to wonder, “Do I dare? And, Do I dare? Time to turn back and descend the stairs with a bald spot in the middle of my hair—(they will say: “How his hair is growing thin!”). Here, Prufrock’s apprehension is what keeps him from expressing his feelings and emotions; he is worried about what others may think of him and what opinions they will have of his persona. Interestingly enough, although he is somewhat apprehensive, he knows that he does to have much time; he needs to get out of his self-constructed prison, “I have known them all already, known them all—have known the evenings, mornings, afternoon, I have measure out my life with coffee spoons…So how should I presume?” This shows Prufrock’s constant struggle throughout the poem, a battle between his desires and fears.

Judging between the two narrators, Whitman is the most successful at overcoming his sense of guilt. The early portions of "Brooklyn Ferry" share Prufrock's sense of being trapped in a cycle of apparently endless trivial activities and of being insignificant and flawed when compared to the rest of the universe. However, Whitman’s struggle is more superficial compared to that of Alfred J. Prufrock. Unlike Whitman’s battle, Prufrock never completely escapes his "dark side"-the sense that he has failed humanity and made himself somehow worthless because of his failure to do something recognizably "great" for society. When he says "you and I" in the beginning of the poem is completely ironic. He talks to himself and recognizes that his inner conflicts are so intense that they seem like the thoughts of another person.

Although Prufrock desires more than anything else to talk to the woman at the gathering, he is completely aware of his problem as he comments: “No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meat to be; am an attendant lord, one that will do to swell a progress, start a scene or two…Full of high sentence but a bit obtuse; at times, indeed almost ridiculous—almost, at times, the Fool” Here, he is not only acknowledging his inability to express himself, but he is also appealing to the woman by contrasting himself to Prince Hamlet. Although both Whitman and Prufrock share the same trends, in essence, Prufrock is a much more internalized, guilt-ridden poem. The artist himself recognizes the power of poetry and shows his talent to the reader, yet at the same time he feels a sense of guilt for having such a "useless" talent that isolates the artist from those around him and makes him unable to function well in the real world.

"Crossing Brooklyn Ferry"

Mauricio Rubio

10/11/09

645

"Crossing Brooklyn Ferry"

Walt Whitman’s “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” displays not only “the overflow of powerful feelings”, but it also embodies a sense of tranquility, easiness, and appreciation towards natural phenomena. Whiteman’s clever use of imagery and figurative language such as apostrophe, anaphora, and symbolism make “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” a poem that transcends time and place. Aiming to portray a theme of equality, in which every individual is part of a compact “scheme”, is Whitman’s main theme that is achieved in a very valuable manner by portraying a set of powerful emotions that ultimately make a strong bond between the speaker and its readers allowing them to understand the importance of natural phenomena.

Whitman’s first lines rely on the use of apostrophe, allowing a deep sense of connection between the individual (speaker) and nature: “Flood-time below me! I see you face to face! Clouds of west-sun there half and hour high- I see you also face to face.” Here, the immediate connection between the speaker and nature establishes a sense of unity due to the fact that the speaker addresses nature is if it was alive; providing a sense that everything is part of a whole. Introducing the poem in this manner reinforces Whitman’s main theme throughout the poem. Anaphora is then heavily used throughout the poem, “ Just as you feel when you look on the river and sky, so I felt. Just as any of you is one of a living crowd, I was of a crowd. Just as you are refresh’d by the gladness of the river and the bright flow, I was refreshed.” This technique is used as repetition to slowly draw the readers into the speaker’s world.

Having already established the idea to the central theme, Whitman subsequently displays a feeling of brotherhood; this is done in order to solidify a sense of belonging that is established at the beginning. “ It avails not, time nor place—distance avails not. I am with you, you men and women of a generation, or ever so many generations hence.” From these lines, the readers conclude that Whitman is with them; that he sympathizes with their sorrows, happiness, and experiences as well. Whitman, therefore, employs a strong use of imagery to unfold his world before the readers’ eyes: “ The flags of all nations, the falling of them at sunset, the scallop-edged waves in the twilight, the ladled cups, the frolicsome crests and glistening, the stretch afar growing dimmer and dimmer, the gray walls of the granite storehouses by the docks.” Offering such descriptive images enables the readers to see Whitman’s world as he sees it himself.

After Whitman establishes a sense of belonging between himself, nature, the readers, and generations to come, he then says that there is nothing different between them; they all share the same emotions even if these emotions are tempting or disrupting: “ It is not upon you alone the dark patches fall, the dark threw its patches upon me also”…”Nor is it you alone who know what it is to be evil, I am he who knew what it was to be evil.” Finally, Whitman has bonded nature, individuals, and himself to let them know that despite time, he shall be present for everyone to think of him.

Throughout the poem Whitman builds a connection, a sense of brotherhood and belonging. As he persuades its audience of such, he conveys strong emotions and feelings, showing Whitman’s sympathy towards all individuals. At he end, he acknowledges the importance of every individual—nature, humans, and cities—to form a compact scheme: “ We use you, and do not cast you aside—we plant you permanently within us, we fathom you not—we love you—there is perfection in you also, you furnish you parts toward eternity, great or small, you furnish you parts towards the soul.”

" Washing Day"

Analysis

The poem “washing day” by Anna Letitia is a very well elaborated poem whose strong imagery not only enables the poem to express the author’s feelings effectively, but it also allows the reader to fully engage into the poem. It is through the impressive use of imagery that Anna Leticia unfolds before the readers a women’s world of hard labor, long days, and burdensome chores that women coped with during the 19th century. Religious, economic, social, and geographical images are just some of the few strategies employed to draw the reader into the poet’s experiences by touching into the senses and feelings that the readers are usually compelled with; bringing the poet’s world alive and offering a strong and meaningful sense of understanding.
Anna’s “washing day” has a very melancholic beginning. “Come then, domestic Muse- pleasant curds and cream, or drowning flies, or shoe lost in the mire.” Here, the strong use of imagery drawn from nature slowly and successfully draws readers into a sense of hopelessness and boredom. Interestingly, the author’s use of imagery only gets progressively stronger as the poem unfolds: “-ere the first gray streak of dawn, the red-armed washer’s come and chase repose”. Notice that a repetition of imagery drawn from nature is employed once more. “ Streak of dawn” gives the impression of hard and tedious labor, while “chase repose” reinforces the idea of exhaustion. Nature related images are not the only images, however. Socioeconomic images are the main foundation of this poem; while allusion reinforces it to convey a clear picture of how tedious a “ washing day” was.
Though imagery is the basic strength of the poem, allusion comes in play to reinforce the already effective imagery, “ Saints have been calm while stretched upon the rack, and Guatimozin smiled on burning coals; but never yet did housewife notable greet with a smile on a rainy washing day.” Here, there are several figures of speech that contribute to the poem’s meaning. First, the always-effective socioeconomic imagery, “never yet did a housewife notable greet with a smile”. Notice the word-choice in this imagery; it conveys pure exhaustion mingled with a sense of resignation. Interestingly, this resignation is contrasted with the allusion of Cuathemoc’s resilience before the Spaniards. This only provides a stronger sense of how tedious and burdensome the “washing days” might have been. The intensive and yet effective use of imagery is properly used in Anna Letita’s poem to provide a richer and more vivid scenario for the readers.

" I think, therefore I am". This phrase, quoted often in science and mathematics, awoke a deep interest in me towards science while in High School. Ever since then, a tremendous urge to understand the world that surrounds me has hunted me. I oftentimes fall deep in thought attempting to understand who we are and where we have come from. These questions have not only hunted me, but they have also cause tremendous debates in our society. All these questions, concerns, doubts and hesitations are nothing but our natural ability to reason and logic. “ I think, therefore I am “ is the basic foundation upon which human beings have relied on in order to make more sense of their world, and this has not been an exception with writing. Famous writers and philosophers such as Miguel de Cervantes de Zaavedra, Plato, Shakespeare, and Machiavelli have found in writing a way to not only communicate, but also a medium through which they can make more sense or their world.

Perhaps after reading this you might think that I am a nerd, and although I would very much wanted so, the reality is that I am just a curious person who is only trying to understand his world a little bit better. I must confess that I lack intelligence, but my hunger to learn and understand the world is enough to get me through any class here at UCD.

In my blog I have posted a video, “The Ghost Particle” in which scientists are trying to understand where we have come from. According to this video, the “neutrinos” are our forefathers; that is, they are the foundation upon which life took place. The picture in the background is a gas cloud, which through the years condenses, collapses, and explodes scattering its enriched guts made of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon and all the fundamental ingredients of life itself. These ingredients, collapse, compress, and form galaxies wherein stars with orbiting planets now have the fundamental ingredients for life to evolve. Therefore, according to this discovery, we are stardust; our atoms come from the stars. I personally find this extremely interesting, and breathtaking.

These particular interests may influence my experience with English 3 in a very positive manner due to the fact that trough writing, logic, and reason I shall try to make sense of my own world. I hope to gain knowledge and understanding, but most of all I hope to grow as a person and human being.