1. Nature in all its elements--vegetation, birds, seasons, water, wind, drought--is an important motif throughout the film. How might we read these elements? How do they speak to the film's overall argument about death and rebirth?
2. The theme of death/rebirth appears to be a rather prominent theme in many sports films. Using this as your thesis, choose another film and explore its connection to your thesis.
3. How does The Natural depict the rise and fall of a modern American hero?
4. Consider these remarks from Kevin Baker’s Introduction to The Natural: “Hobbs
is one of the most thoroughly unsympathetic heroes in the history of American
literature . . . One can feel little real pity for any character who has so assiduously shaped his own doom.” (p. xii) Would you agree? Can, or should, we pity Roy Hobbs?
5. Compare and contrast how this film depicts the urban and the rural, the
experience of the city and that of the country. Which environment is seen more
favorably, romantically, nostalgically? Which is seen more critically, harshly,
complexly? Refer to certain scenes or images to underscore your views.
6. Explore the film's portrayal of the elusive yet all-consuming power
of ambition. We are often reminded that Hobbs is obsessed with rewriting
professional baseball’s record book, with “doing what I came here to do,” with
being “the best who ever played the game”—but why is Hobbs so driven?
7. The Natural not only offers a detailed rendering of the world of baseball; it also
illustrates the business aspect of professional sports. How is the relationship
between pro sports and business characterized in this film? What about the rela-
tionship between pro sports and gambling? Do you think that either of these rela-
tionships would be characterized differently if the story was being told today?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Film Review
After looking through the film reviews you received in class on Monday evening, what common characteristics (both in content and in structure) do you notice? If you had to make a list, what are the necessary components of a film review? What MUST be included?
Of the examples you received, what film review is the strongest? Why?
Of the examples you received, what film review is the strongest? Why?
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Cuban Swimmer
1) characters who spoke english- Margarita, Eduardo, Simon,Aida and Abuela
Characters who spoke Spanish- Eduardo, Aida, Abuela and Simon(few words)
Characters who spoke both languages- Eduardo, Adida and Abuela
2) Mostly the older people spoke in spanish and where as the kids spoke in english and very few words of spanish which can show the gap between two generation. As a family there was a lot of communication amongst the characters.
3) The play portrayed the family support, that even their grandmother came to support the swimmer.
Characters who spoke Spanish- Eduardo, Aida, Abuela and Simon(few words)
Characters who spoke both languages- Eduardo, Adida and Abuela
2) Mostly the older people spoke in spanish and where as the kids spoke in english and very few words of spanish which can show the gap between two generation. As a family there was a lot of communication amongst the characters.
3) The play portrayed the family support, that even their grandmother came to support the swimmer.
The Cuban Swimmer
1. The news broadcasters and radio oporators speak English. With the exeption of only a few phrases and words, Simon speaks the most English, followed by Margarita and Aida. Abuela speaks Spanish, and Eduardo speaks a mixture of both languages; English over Spanish.
2. The argument the author is raising about language, is that it changes over the generations as culture changes. As I am sure Abuela was raised speaking only Spanish, Eduardo was taught English in the States, and his children were raised speaking English more than Spanish from birth.
3. Abuela grew up in a different time and place as her children and grandchildren, therefore, they have different cultural traditions.
2. The argument the author is raising about language, is that it changes over the generations as culture changes. As I am sure Abuela was raised speaking only Spanish, Eduardo was taught English in the States, and his children were raised speaking English more than Spanish from birth.
3. Abuela grew up in a different time and place as her children and grandchildren, therefore, they have different cultural traditions.
The cuban swimmer analysis
It seems to me that the grandmother only speeks spanish and the T.V. reporters only speek english. In addition to that Simon seems to speek more like an American teenager. he says stuff like "Way to go" and "Man" and "Forget Him". This is uncommon because he is Cuban and yet unlike the rest of his family he seems to have adjusted to the American culture very well. I think the rest of the family mostly speeks spanish when they are trying to keep their conversation private from the helicopter or when they are emotional over something. The Grandmother speeks pretty much all spanish. I think the author was trying to say that the older generation of immigrants and in this case cubans were used to being discriminated against and excluded from conversations so they just spoke in their native tongue. On the other hand the T.V. reporters only spoke english. There are two reasons for this. One is because they are on T.V. in America and no one would understand them if they were to speek spanish. And number two it signifies that Americans were not willing to reach out to the immigrants and preferred to simply make fun of or belittle them. For example the reporters say that the family are simple people and that Margarita has basically no chance of winning. I think the speech of Simon is very important because he seems to be farther away from the rest of his family and yet he appears to have adjusted to english in America better than any of them. Margarita is closer to the Father because he is her coach and he is trying to live vicariously through her so her english isn't as Americanized as Simon's. I think that the author is drawing us towards the idea that the closer an immigrated family stays together the more they will tend to speek in their native tongue and the less they will speek english. This will result in the kind of speech that the parents have but not that Simon has.
"The Cuban Swimmer" Sanchez - Scott
1. Throughout the play the different characters speak a blend of English and Spanish. Within their familiar blend of a bilingual tongue English is used most frequently. This could be because Sanchez – Scott sought to reach a wide audience by using so much English within her play “The Cuban Swimmer.” With going through the dialogue in the play it is noticeable that the majority of the time that Spanish is used the family is speaking and using terms of endearment like “Papi”, “Abuela”, “mujer”, “mi hija,” “Nuestro Senor” , “gracias a Dios”, “hermosos”, “nina”
‘mi carne”, “mi sangre” and “mis ilusiones.” Also, catch phrases are written in spanish dialogue: “Donde” “Mira” “Ay” the counting “uno, dos” “para ya” “pero” and “cojones.” The only characters completely using English were the news anchors.
2. Although the family appears to at least know their native tongue there is a disconnect between their Cuban culture and the behaviors they represent. The family is very “Westernized” in the English dialect that they use. The family still continues to use many phrases in Spanish but the majority of the dialect was in English. The words that were in Spanish were also not complex words in that someone who may not be familiar with the Spanish language can still grasp the main ideas of the dialogue between the characters. Simon’s colloquialisms along with the families are all used in very specific spots. The majority of the time that Spanish was used it was when referencing a term of endearment such as “mujer” “mi hija” “Dios” “mi sangre” and so forth. I think that Sanchez – Scott depicted the language this way to show that closeness and how important those words are. If the words daughter, and God and phrases about blood were not kindred to the family in some way they would have been written in English as well.
‘mi carne”, “mi sangre” and “mis ilusiones.” Also, catch phrases are written in spanish dialogue: “Donde” “Mira” “Ay” the counting “uno, dos” “para ya” “pero” and “cojones.” The only characters completely using English were the news anchors.
2. Although the family appears to at least know their native tongue there is a disconnect between their Cuban culture and the behaviors they represent. The family is very “Westernized” in the English dialect that they use. The family still continues to use many phrases in Spanish but the majority of the dialect was in English. The words that were in Spanish were also not complex words in that someone who may not be familiar with the Spanish language can still grasp the main ideas of the dialogue between the characters. Simon’s colloquialisms along with the families are all used in very specific spots. The majority of the time that Spanish was used it was when referencing a term of endearment such as “mujer” “mi hija” “Dios” “mi sangre” and so forth. I think that Sanchez – Scott depicted the language this way to show that closeness and how important those words are. If the words daughter, and God and phrases about blood were not kindred to the family in some way they would have been written in English as well.
The Cuban Swimmer
1) Characters speaking mostly English: Simon
Characters speaking both English and Spanish: Maragrita- good mix
Eduardo- good mix
Aida- mainly English
Abuela-mainly speaks Spanish
2)There is so much more communication between Margarita and her father. This might have something to do with how they speak their language. They both use a lot of Spanish and English together intertwined. The sports reporters language almost makes them sound like they could be reporting something better. The two reporters sound like they are making fun of the family all through out the story especially at the end when Mel said he thought Margarita was dead and it was a 'miracle' that she was still alive and won. Simon's language makes him sound very Americanized. He even knew who the reporters were. Its almost as if he could care less what his sister is doing as long as they get attention on the radio from it.
3) No matter who is behind you or what the circumstance is, as long as you believe in yourself that is all that matters.
Characters speaking both English and Spanish: Maragrita- good mix
Eduardo- good mix
Aida- mainly English
Abuela-mainly speaks Spanish
2)There is so much more communication between Margarita and her father. This might have something to do with how they speak their language. They both use a lot of Spanish and English together intertwined. The sports reporters language almost makes them sound like they could be reporting something better. The two reporters sound like they are making fun of the family all through out the story especially at the end when Mel said he thought Margarita was dead and it was a 'miracle' that she was still alive and won. Simon's language makes him sound very Americanized. He even knew who the reporters were. Its almost as if he could care less what his sister is doing as long as they get attention on the radio from it.
3) No matter who is behind you or what the circumstance is, as long as you believe in yourself that is all that matters.
The Cuban Swimmer
1) Throughout the play there are people who speak mainly Spanish, some who speak English as well who speak both.
Margarita speaks mainly Spanish but a little bit of English also.
Eduardo speaks both Spanish and English.
Simon speaks mostly English but also Spanish.
Aida speaks both English and Spanish.
Abuela speaks mostly Spanish.
2) The author expresses that while Spanish may be the dominant language, English phrases are also used in everyday conversation. Speaking two different languages may be confusing at times if you are not fluent in both.
3) The play setting is the Pacific Ocean between San Pedro and Caralina Island. This region is a Spanish dominated area. Throughout the play, most all characters speak in Spanish and English. Eduardo, the father, seems to speak Spanish when giving important instructions to Margarita and speaks English when the instructions don't seem as relevant to the situation. By doing this, one may conclude that Margarita understands Spanish better than English. I do not understand Spanish fluently. It would be much harder for me to keep concentration if I am being spoken to in Spanish more than English. It may be confusing for Margarita or anybody else in the play to understand unless they speak both languages perfectly.
Margarita speaks mainly Spanish but a little bit of English also.
Eduardo speaks both Spanish and English.
Simon speaks mostly English but also Spanish.
Aida speaks both English and Spanish.
Abuela speaks mostly Spanish.
2) The author expresses that while Spanish may be the dominant language, English phrases are also used in everyday conversation. Speaking two different languages may be confusing at times if you are not fluent in both.
3) The play setting is the Pacific Ocean between San Pedro and Caralina Island. This region is a Spanish dominated area. Throughout the play, most all characters speak in Spanish and English. Eduardo, the father, seems to speak Spanish when giving important instructions to Margarita and speaks English when the instructions don't seem as relevant to the situation. By doing this, one may conclude that Margarita understands Spanish better than English. I do not understand Spanish fluently. It would be much harder for me to keep concentration if I am being spoken to in Spanish more than English. It may be confusing for Margarita or anybody else in the play to understand unless they speak both languages perfectly.
Argumentation:The Cuban Swimmer
1.Speech: Margarita speaks a blend of english and spanish as she keeps communication with her father, who counts strokes and asks her questions in spanish and gives her directions in english. Margarita's brother, Simon curses and taunts her in english as he recieves new material to bring down the spirit of the family with every so often from the television. Her grandmother, Abuela speaks primarily in spanish as she converses with the mother, Aida who is completly wrapped up in the idea of her family being in the spotlight. Aida speaks in both languages as she makes spanish commentary with Abuela and scolds Simon and talks about the tevlevision station's helicoper reporters in english.
2. The author raises an argument about language and communication and illustrates that the most important things to the action in the plot line are usually spoken in the language that feels the most comfortable to the speaker. (Spanish)The personality and prominence of character is shown through the speaker's second language.(English) This can lead to arguing that language is used as an effect; different languages convey different levels of concern of each member of the family and their emotions as they percieve the difficulty of Margarita's situation as a swimmer.
3. Based on my analysis, I believe that in the Cuban Swimmer language is used to put a filter on dialogue that displays each character's level of concern and set of emotions as they observe the event going on around them.
2. The author raises an argument about language and communication and illustrates that the most important things to the action in the plot line are usually spoken in the language that feels the most comfortable to the speaker. (Spanish)The personality and prominence of character is shown through the speaker's second language.(English) This can lead to arguing that language is used as an effect; different languages convey different levels of concern of each member of the family and their emotions as they percieve the difficulty of Margarita's situation as a swimmer.
3. Based on my analysis, I believe that in the Cuban Swimmer language is used to put a filter on dialogue that displays each character's level of concern and set of emotions as they observe the event going on around them.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
HELP ME!
The thesis in my paper is killing me. I know what I want to talk about but don't know how to wrap it up in a sentence. I also am having trouble with introducing my three sources. If any one can help me that would be great. So far this is what I have:
While most might read the article “Women in Power Are Set Up to Fail” by Clive Thompson and say that they agree, I say they are wrong! When people read the short stories “The Revolt of Mother’” and “The Birthmark” and say how much the man is in control, I say the women is. The power or powerlessness of people is not so cut and dry as you might think.
The thesis is in blue? Maybe or maybe not. It is kinda short but is that even come close a thesis?
While most might read the article “Women in Power Are Set Up to Fail” by Clive Thompson and say that they agree, I say they are wrong! When people read the short stories “The Revolt of Mother’” and “The Birthmark” and say how much the man is in control, I say the women is. The power or powerlessness of people is not so cut and dry as you might think.
The thesis is in blue? Maybe or maybe not. It is kinda short but is that even come close a thesis?
Monday, February 9, 2009
Summarizing "The Revolt of Mother"
Group One
Adoniram and Sarah had lived in the same small house all 40 years of their marriage, although he promised her a decent home within the year after their wedding. With two older children, one to be married later in the year, Adoniram decided to build a new barn in the place where the house was supposed to be.
In this time and society, women were hardly heard. Sarah tried talking to her husband about it, but he would not have any thing to do with the situation. As the barn was being completed, Adoniram had to go out of town to receive a new horse before he could move in his livestock.
While he was gone, them mother decided to stand up for what she wanted and though was best for her family. Despite how the community reacted, Sarah moved her family into the new barn. When Adoniram returned, he was shocked to find them living in the barn.
Group Two
In Freeman's short story "The Revolt of 'Mother'", there is a family of four, post civil war era that live on a farm. The main character is the mother who has been a faithful wife that has done everything her husband has asked of her with no complaints for forty years. The story starts off with mother wondering what is going on in the field. The husband does not want to answer and tries to blow her off, but to only end up finding out from her son that there is a barn being built in the place were the new house would have gone some forty promise broken years ago. Not only was there to be a new barn but cattle too. Mother went to the husband and pleaded her case on why she should have the new house instead of the new barn. She stayed quiet for forty years while time after time his promise to build the house never happened. The money and the capability were always there. While she pleaded with him, he still said nothing and finished the barn. She then does something deceptive by sending her husband away to get a new horse to buy time while she moved the old little outdated house into the barn that was just built. When it was all said and done and he came back home he was in shock but then came to realize that she really wanted it that bad. She only stood up and complained that one time to get what she wanted he finally agreed to finish it for her.
Group Three
In the post civil war era there was mounting tension between the female and male roles in the typical household. Mark E. Wilkins Freeman writes about one such family, which goes through a period of economic struggle, and lives in the same house nearing poverty for over forty years. The father figure is well respected and his wishes are often honored without question, but finally when he decides to erect a new barn for his animals, rather than renovate his out-of-date house, his wife and children revolt. They move themselves and their belongings into the newly built barn, and await their father's return home. When he arrives he is shocked to learn what has happened, and submits to his wife's wishes, and agrees to set up partitions and windows inside their new home.
Adoniram and Sarah had lived in the same small house all 40 years of their marriage, although he promised her a decent home within the year after their wedding. With two older children, one to be married later in the year, Adoniram decided to build a new barn in the place where the house was supposed to be.
In this time and society, women were hardly heard. Sarah tried talking to her husband about it, but he would not have any thing to do with the situation. As the barn was being completed, Adoniram had to go out of town to receive a new horse before he could move in his livestock.
While he was gone, them mother decided to stand up for what she wanted and though was best for her family. Despite how the community reacted, Sarah moved her family into the new barn. When Adoniram returned, he was shocked to find them living in the barn.
Group Two
In Freeman's short story "The Revolt of 'Mother'", there is a family of four, post civil war era that live on a farm. The main character is the mother who has been a faithful wife that has done everything her husband has asked of her with no complaints for forty years. The story starts off with mother wondering what is going on in the field. The husband does not want to answer and tries to blow her off, but to only end up finding out from her son that there is a barn being built in the place were the new house would have gone some forty promise broken years ago. Not only was there to be a new barn but cattle too. Mother went to the husband and pleaded her case on why she should have the new house instead of the new barn. She stayed quiet for forty years while time after time his promise to build the house never happened. The money and the capability were always there. While she pleaded with him, he still said nothing and finished the barn. She then does something deceptive by sending her husband away to get a new horse to buy time while she moved the old little outdated house into the barn that was just built. When it was all said and done and he came back home he was in shock but then came to realize that she really wanted it that bad. She only stood up and complained that one time to get what she wanted he finally agreed to finish it for her.
Group Three
In the post civil war era there was mounting tension between the female and male roles in the typical household. Mark E. Wilkins Freeman writes about one such family, which goes through a period of economic struggle, and lives in the same house nearing poverty for over forty years. The father figure is well respected and his wishes are often honored without question, but finally when he decides to erect a new barn for his animals, rather than renovate his out-of-date house, his wife and children revolt. They move themselves and their belongings into the newly built barn, and await their father's return home. When he arrives he is shocked to learn what has happened, and submits to his wife's wishes, and agrees to set up partitions and windows inside their new home.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Geraldo No Last Name
1. Why does Geraldo have no last name? From the information Cisneros provides, do you
believe that his death was inevitable?
2. At the end of this little sketch, Cisneros says “they” never saw certain aspects of Geraldo’s life. Who are “they”?
3. How can this short story be used to make an argument about the place in American society people like Geraldo occupy? Where does he fit in? And, how what might Geraldo represent about nameless, faceless, undocumented workers and the interactions that have with officials?
4. Geraldo has no identification papers and may be an illegal immigrant. In what other ways can people become lost in our society? How might that happen, and to whom?
believe that his death was inevitable?
2. At the end of this little sketch, Cisneros says “they” never saw certain aspects of Geraldo’s life. Who are “they”?
3. How can this short story be used to make an argument about the place in American society people like Geraldo occupy? Where does he fit in? And, how what might Geraldo represent about nameless, faceless, undocumented workers and the interactions that have with officials?
4. Geraldo has no identification papers and may be an illegal immigrant. In what other ways can people become lost in our society? How might that happen, and to whom?
Monday, February 2, 2009
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