"Warning" by Jenny Joseph page 305 # 246

A major theme in this poem is about the behaviors that are acceptable.  The person in this poem intends to act much like a whimsical child when they are older, this is clearly brought about by the lack of fun they are having as an adult.  This person must be responsible and maintain the socially acceptable life for someone at their age, however, they are obviously unhappy with this current arrangement and plan to remedy this as they grow older.  The meaning of this poem is that while there are responsibilities and commitments that must be honored, there is time for one to enjoy life and live that way one wishes to.

The repetition of "I shall wear purple" shows how life will change for this person once they reach this certain age.  In the beginning of the poem, the speaker glorifies this coming time and speaks with fondness of what they shall do.  Wearing purple symbolizes the change from the responsibility of life, to, in this person's opinion, the more carefree way of the elderly.  However, from the beginning to the end of the work, the meaning of the wearing of purple changes.  In the start of the poem it represent what one day will be when life is carefree, towards the end it symbolizes how while they will still do all of these things when older, they shall start to live their life to the fullest and experience some of these goals now.

In addition to repetition, the use of shifts is important as well.  The first three paragraphs state what will be done once this woman is older.  This portion of the poem is filled with imagery and presents a tone of longing.  The things mentioned in these paragraphs are longed for and should be longed for in the speaker's opinion.  The fourth paragraph brings about a shift, in this paragraph the word "must" is utilized to show how the speaker has no choice but to do the things expected by society.  It is their duty to be good citizens and abide by what society believes "must" be done.  However, in the fifth and last paragraph another shift changes the meaning of the work.  In this final paragraph the speaker realizes that they can be both the responsible adult that society expects and the breaker of the social etiquette.  It is possible to experience some of the fun things in life in addition to being responsible and a good member of society.  These shifts aid in viewing the change in the speaker, and the change in the work.

In my opinion, this work unveils an important issue that should be considered by everyone.  Most people are expected to be liable for themselves and possibly others, they must work to support families and themselves everyday.  This can be stressful and cause people to be miserable and resentful.  This is why it is important for people to have a balance of responsibility and fun.  This equilibrium will prevent one from going to far on either side.  This poem's final conclusion is something that everyone should follow in order to have a happy and fulfilling life.

"The Lipstick on the Mirror" by Tom Disch page 283 #217

This poem presents a different ending to the tale of "Snow White," in this revised version the Wicked Queen is envied in such a way, that the commoners around her attempt to replicate and make themselves as beautiful as she.  The Queen, though fawned at and imitated by all, is insecure of her own beauty, in spite of the fact that all strive to be her, she needs the affirmation of the mirror that she is "the fairest of them all."  This poem presents the issues of vanity and insecurity how they go hand in hand.  The Queen while she need not be unconfident, because of the chance that someone could be better, more beautiful.  This poem shows how the need to be better is shallow and will end up destroying you because you are not confident in yourself unless you are the best at something.

An important portion of this poem is the irony of the Queen's character.  True beauty is the confidence in oneself that the reaffirmation from others is unnecessary.  The Queen's vanity is false because she is not satisfied with the beauty she has, she strives to increase her attractiveness.  She askes her Mirror if she is the fairest everyday because she does not have the confidence necessary to be able to know that she is beautiful no matter what others think or say.  This portion is ironic because she constantly wants to preserve her title as fairest of them all when she is consistently unsure whether or not she deserves the title.

Also, the use of imagery in the poem aids with the overall meaning of the work.  Lines such as, "Diadems of diamonds replacing buns and braids," present what about the Queen is envied.  In order to increase their beauty, others in this realm wish to have the fine decalage of the Queen.  Products and jewelry are utilized in the attempt for greater beauty.  This shows how the Queen is known for her finery, she is beautiful because of the posessions she owns according to others in this poem.  This imagery ties into the meaning of how insecurity will cause people to believe that material things and the affirmation of others will make up for a lack of confidence in onself.

This poem represents the opinion of many females in society that what one wears or what one does to oneself can cause confidence.  Rather the insecurity that people feel cannot be solved with such trinkets.  The realization of beauty comes from within.  This poem presents an example of society and how materialistic things cannot substitute for confidence or liking oneself.

My Thoughts on "The Handmaid's Tale"

"The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood is a controversial piece because of the manner that certain opinions and behaviors are frowned upon in this novel.  This work is and in depth look at extremism and serves as a reminder against such actions.  Reasons such as this are one of the grounds that I use to support my enjoyment of the work.  The blunt, unemotional manner in which the novel is often presented in, aids in the realization of how trapped the people in this society are, that they must stop emotion from entering the equation or they might break down.  This helped me connect to the character of Offred and become personally invested in her story.  The author manipulates the language of this piece so that the reader feels sympathy and empathy for Offred.  In addition, I liked this novel not only because of this form of delivery, but also on the basis of Atwood's use of symbols, flashbacks, and allusions that add to the story.  Another cause for my pleasure with the novel is the satirical aspect to it.  In "The Handmaid's Tale," the views of extremists, whom often take their beliefs and ideas too far, are mocked in a subtle and interesting way.  Atwood introduces a novel that not only maintains the readers attention, but at the same time convinces them to reevaluate their opinions and view on life as it is today.  I do not agree with the values of the society of Gilead, however, because Atwood made the work satirical, she develops agreement with her audience that this society is wrong, which I believe is an excellent technique and develops the point of view.  Another rationale for why I enjoy this work is because there was not a clear ending stated.  Atwood purposely left the ending open to the reader's interpretation.  This allows for each person to individually decide on the life that Offred lives once she exits her enslavement.  All of these different reasons contribute to why I liked the novel, "The Handmaid's Tale".

"The Handmaid's Tale" Favorite Quote

"Not every Commander has a Handmaid: some of their Wives have children.  From each, says the slogan, according to her ability; to each according to his needs.  We recited that, three times, after dessert.  It was from the Bible, or so they said."

This line is my favorite from the novel because of the pure irony of the statement. The slogan "From each . . . his needs.," is interesting because the country, Gilead, takes an ideal from Marxism and incorporates it into the governing system claiming that it is from the Bible.  This society is named the Republic of Gilead, however, according to this slogan, this organization appears to lean more towards communism and totalitarianism rather than being a republic.  A passage such as this, is a synecdoche, representing the Gileadian society.  During their reign, this organization manipulates and reorganizes different portions of culture and society in order to form their "perfect" country, however, when reading about the work of this government from someone on the inside it is obvious that the frameworks of this new culture is based on half truths and selection of detail.  This specific quote is derived from a communist ideal and passed off as a religious text.  Things such as this happen many times in the novel and portray this society.  Which is why this passage alluding to Marxism represents the Gileadian method of forcing people to cooperate, by making up laws and biblical text as they go along.  The irony of this quote and the fact that is a synecdoche for this organization are some of the reasons behind why this line is my favorite out of this novel.

"The Handmaid's Tale" Anaysis of Allusions

In the novel "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood, several allusions to biblical texts are used.  These allusions become justification for the society of Gilead to force people into restricting positions that they must conform to.  Several examples present themselves throughout the text, for instance the roles of the Handmaid's and the Martha's.  Both are biblical references that are altered to fit the need of Gilead.  The Handmaid's originate from the Genesis and states how the maid of a women who could not have children proceeded to deliver children for this women.  In this fictional reality Gilead presents this one passage as a rationalization to forcing women to bear children for others.  By naming these enslaved women Handmaid's, the reference is easily attainable and the irony and unbelievability of these horrific actions are obvious.  Another allusion that Atwood employs is basing the position of servants in this civilization on the biblical character Martha.  Martha was of women mentioned in a biblical text, she is described as an immaculate housewife and the perfect hostess.  Gilead, once again twist the connotations of this reference and uses it as a template to force others in servitude.  Both of these allusions are tampered with in this novel, representing the irony of all the different "jobs" of the people in this nation.  In this work, even the name of this "republic" is based off an allusion. Gilead refers to a border on the promised land known for its' healing balms.  However, this government is the exact opposite, exemplifying the very hypocrisy it stands for.  Atwood, develops all of these different allusions into her novel in order to prove a point against extremism, taking things too literally, and forcing people to do things against their will.  Her satirical piece exposes the truth about all of these ideas and leaves a warning against these behaviors.

Thoughts On "We"

On the basis of whether or not I like the book "We," my answer is yes and no.  I enjoyed the novels use of math and formulas to explain the society and D-503's feelings.  Such as D-503's use of the velocity of an aero to explain crime, or how the square root of -1 is a symbol for how D-503 feels about I-330.  In this regard I found the work intriguing because I can understand the math and although I do not necessarily agree I see where D-503 is coming from.  However, in certain aspects I dislike this novel.  For example, at times I found the story difficult to follow because of D-503's erratic emotions and cut off sentences.  I dislike the use syntax in this piece because D-503 randomly stops and starts sentences, confusing the reader.  Another reason that this novel is not my favorite is based on certain plot elements.  Personally, I prefer a story of triumph.  While I understand that D-503 receiving the operation is an important plot element and adds great significance to the work, I would not have chosen this as an ending if I were the author.  In addition to this, I also dislike a few key things in the relationship between D-503 and I-330.  Because D-503 is experiencing emotional turmoil he acts extremely controlling over I-330.  This controlling nature causes me to have an aversion to the character of D-503.  Overall, my dislike of particular things in the novel did not outweigh my understanding of the novel's literary merit, thus as a whole I enjoyed the work.

My Favorite Quote from "We"

""Liberation?"Astonishing how the criminal instincts do survive in the human species.  I choose the word criminal advisedly.  Freedom and criminality are just as indissolubly linked as . . . well, as the movement of an aero and its velocity.  When the velocity of an aero is reduced to 0, it is not in motion; when a man's freedom is reduced to zero, he commits no crimes.  That's clear.  And now when we'd only just managed to get rid of it (in the cosmic scale of things, centuries amount to "only just"), suddenly some pathetic morons . . ." (36 Zamyatin).

This passage is my favorite because of how obvious it is that this way of thinking is a lie.  In the same paragraph D-503 claims that because there is no freedom there is no crime but also discusses how a group of people attempt to uproot OneState, which is a crime.  This passage is interesting based on its absurdity.  D-503 endeavors to explain that because there is no crime, all the while contradicting himself by stating that these certain individuals are committing crimes.  Until the operation in which the imagination is destroyed is implemented, there is still crime.  I-330 commits crimes on a daily basis: plotting against OneState, lying about her location, have non-pink ticket prescribed sex, and etc.  D-503 also is a criminal in the eyes of OneState because he does not report I-330, he has sex with her without a pink ticket, and he lies about I-330's whereabouts.  Even O-90 performs a crime by allowing herself to become pregnant.  All of these examples prove that D-503's original equation in regards to crime is false.  The irony behind this quote is one of the many reasons it is my favorite from this novel.  According to D-503's original views crime should not exist, however, he learns that even without freedom "crimes" will still occur.  Thus because of how hypocritical this quote is, it is one of the best in this work.