Vitamins
This short story is full of mini stories that all connect. I feel bad for Donna and Patti. It must be very hard having to live of off selling vitamins. I couldn’t even imagine how much these women make just going door to door selling vitamins. They must make very little money, exactly why Donna need to quit. The vitamins just did not give her enough to maintain her life. I did not like Donna at all as soon as she started thinking about prostitution. Women have to respect themselves, the only fu control that humans have is over there body. Your body is yours and nobody else’s. I could never imagine having to sell my body to be able to eat. I think that there are so many other job opportunities out there. Women should not turn to prostitution for money. I am totally against it.
“I mean, when I was a girl, this is the last thing I ever saw myself doing. Jesus I never thought I’d grow up to sell vitamins.” (p.97) I think that this stuff happens to so many people. They study one thing and there life ends up having to do with something different. This always makes me wonder if that could happen to me. And if it does I hope it’s different I hope that my change in the future will be better than what I expected. I just want to stick to what I want to do with my life and be the best. Patti tries her hardest, but Donna is just stupid.
Once again Carver keeps us wondering at the end. What happens to Donna? Hopefully she does not turn to prostitution. What was deal with Nelson? At the end I was so curious to just know what else happened. But like all the other short stories in Carver’s writing, the endings always keep you thinking.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
An Unexpected Death (Cathedral)
A Small, Good Thing
I could never imagine having an accident on my birthday, or someone very close to me having an accident on there birthday. I really like this story. I like how it made me feel a mix of emotions, and how it really kept me focused and reading without stopping.
Howard and Ann spend the whole day worried about Scotty. Being in a coma must be so hard to see. When will he wake up? That’s the only thing a person could think. Or just the fact that no one wants to leave because the person might wake up any moment, but sometimes they never even do wake up. I didn’t expect Scotty to die. I believed the doctors just as Howard and Ann did. The Doctor sad that nothing was going to happen that he was okay, but he was not. It was so unexpected.
“Our Franklin, he’s on the operating table. Somebody cut him. Tried to kill him” (p.74). At that moment that I read this quote, Scotty was ok. Scotty was just asleep. All I could think was that there is always someone worse or in more trouble than you are. A hit and run is pretty bad. But being stabbed is even worse. Franklin dies first. It’s always the other person who suffers more. People all around have troubles and problems.
The baker has nothing to do with the problem of the boy’s death. He is just doing his job. He baked a cake that was not paid for. But he does feel for Howard and Ann. Who wouldn’t? You try to get your job done, you try to make things right, and in the end you end up making a mistake. He really aggravated this couple at the beginning, but how was he suppose to know? At the end I think the baker gives Howard and Ann the comfort that they needed. Just an ordinary baker with nothing to do in there problem, helps them. There is always someone there that can help and comfort you. That person doesn’t even have to be close to you, but there is always someone willing to help.
I could never imagine having an accident on my birthday, or someone very close to me having an accident on there birthday. I really like this story. I like how it made me feel a mix of emotions, and how it really kept me focused and reading without stopping.
Howard and Ann spend the whole day worried about Scotty. Being in a coma must be so hard to see. When will he wake up? That’s the only thing a person could think. Or just the fact that no one wants to leave because the person might wake up any moment, but sometimes they never even do wake up. I didn’t expect Scotty to die. I believed the doctors just as Howard and Ann did. The Doctor sad that nothing was going to happen that he was okay, but he was not. It was so unexpected.
“Our Franklin, he’s on the operating table. Somebody cut him. Tried to kill him” (p.74). At that moment that I read this quote, Scotty was ok. Scotty was just asleep. All I could think was that there is always someone worse or in more trouble than you are. A hit and run is pretty bad. But being stabbed is even worse. Franklin dies first. It’s always the other person who suffers more. People all around have troubles and problems.
The baker has nothing to do with the problem of the boy’s death. He is just doing his job. He baked a cake that was not paid for. But he does feel for Howard and Ann. Who wouldn’t? You try to get your job done, you try to make things right, and in the end you end up making a mistake. He really aggravated this couple at the beginning, but how was he suppose to know? At the end I think the baker gives Howard and Ann the comfort that they needed. Just an ordinary baker with nothing to do in there problem, helps them. There is always someone there that can help and comfort you. That person doesn’t even have to be close to you, but there is always someone willing to help.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
The Useless Train Ride (Cathedral)
The Compartment
I am finally seeing Carver’s patterns in each short story. I feel that it is in each ending that he keeps the reader wondering, so what next?
“ I gave you life ,and I can take it back.”(p. 48) .This quote is harsh, a father saying that to his son. This short story starts out with a fight of Myers his son and his son’s mother. In the description it seems like a rough, crazy family fight. It separates them and changes them. I could not imagine hearing those words from my father and to top it off having to be getting beaten at the same time. It really makes me wonder what kind of person is Myers? This is a family that does not keep in touch for eight years, not a call, not a post card. How could that even be normal? I know that there are families that don’t keep in touch, but eight years is such a long time. Something really bad must have happened to lead to such a family fight and break a family up like Myers family was separated.
“He stayed awake after that and began to think of the meeting with his son, which was now only a few hours away. How would he act when he saw the boy at the station? Should he embrace him? He felt uncomfortable with that prospect. Or should he merely offer his hand, smile as if these eight years had never occurred, and then pat the boy on the shoulder?” (p.49). I like this quote a lot because it seems so real. Everything Myers is saying is typical. When you haven’t seen a person for a very long time you really do not know how to act in the moment, and especially thinking about how you will embrace that person makes things even worse. Those situations are tough, but I don’t think that Myer made the right decision of not even seeing his son. I don’t know exactly what happened, but avoiding a situation or a problem is not going to fix or solve anything. And that is what Myer did. Myer avoided the risky unpredictable situation moment of seeing his son. Things could have changed. Things could have been fixed, but Myers decided to avoid it.
I am finally seeing Carver’s patterns in each short story. I feel that it is in each ending that he keeps the reader wondering, so what next?
“ I gave you life ,and I can take it back.”(p. 48) .This quote is harsh, a father saying that to his son. This short story starts out with a fight of Myers his son and his son’s mother. In the description it seems like a rough, crazy family fight. It separates them and changes them. I could not imagine hearing those words from my father and to top it off having to be getting beaten at the same time. It really makes me wonder what kind of person is Myers? This is a family that does not keep in touch for eight years, not a call, not a post card. How could that even be normal? I know that there are families that don’t keep in touch, but eight years is such a long time. Something really bad must have happened to lead to such a family fight and break a family up like Myers family was separated.
“He stayed awake after that and began to think of the meeting with his son, which was now only a few hours away. How would he act when he saw the boy at the station? Should he embrace him? He felt uncomfortable with that prospect. Or should he merely offer his hand, smile as if these eight years had never occurred, and then pat the boy on the shoulder?” (p.49). I like this quote a lot because it seems so real. Everything Myers is saying is typical. When you haven’t seen a person for a very long time you really do not know how to act in the moment, and especially thinking about how you will embrace that person makes things even worse. Those situations are tough, but I don’t think that Myer made the right decision of not even seeing his son. I don’t know exactly what happened, but avoiding a situation or a problem is not going to fix or solve anything. And that is what Myer did. Myer avoided the risky unpredictable situation moment of seeing his son. Things could have changed. Things could have been fixed, but Myers decided to avoid it.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Too Much ToTolerate! (Cathedral)
Preservation
“ My god , a person couldn’t live the whole rest of his life in bed, or else on the sofa.” (p.38) how is it that sandy can tolerate living and being married to such a bum. I respect Sandy for being strong and being the worker, so basically making her the head of the family, but as soon as their refrigerator breaks I think that, that is the moment Sandy realizes that everything is broken.
“ Hell, yes. We need one, don’t we? We can’t get along without one.”(p. 41). This quote caught my attention because Sandy knows that he broken fridge was a sign or that it could have been one. It breaks all of a sudden, and she is asking her looser husband what to do about it and he insists on getting a cooler. She knows that if her fridge problem is not fixed than her marriage life will be without a future. How can a person manage to live with someone who watches T.V all day and sleeps on the sofa all day. What makes me very mad about Sandy’s character is that he is a bum, he doesn’t do anything and when the fridge breaks he reminds Sandy that he does not have a job and that it will not be easy to get a new one. That is selfish. Sandy should have left that man the day he lost his job threw himself on the couch, took his shoes off and chilled out.
Carver has a weird way of ending his stories, its almost like you have to dig and look for the message made. I like his writing and I liked this short story a lot because it is very descriptive and almost real. It was so easy to picture every scene in my mind, even the last sentence. I could see that puddle of water next to his feet, but what did it mean?
“ My god , a person couldn’t live the whole rest of his life in bed, or else on the sofa.” (p.38) how is it that sandy can tolerate living and being married to such a bum. I respect Sandy for being strong and being the worker, so basically making her the head of the family, but as soon as their refrigerator breaks I think that, that is the moment Sandy realizes that everything is broken.
“ Hell, yes. We need one, don’t we? We can’t get along without one.”(p. 41). This quote caught my attention because Sandy knows that he broken fridge was a sign or that it could have been one. It breaks all of a sudden, and she is asking her looser husband what to do about it and he insists on getting a cooler. She knows that if her fridge problem is not fixed than her marriage life will be without a future. How can a person manage to live with someone who watches T.V all day and sleeps on the sofa all day. What makes me very mad about Sandy’s character is that he is a bum, he doesn’t do anything and when the fridge breaks he reminds Sandy that he does not have a job and that it will not be easy to get a new one. That is selfish. Sandy should have left that man the day he lost his job threw himself on the couch, took his shoes off and chilled out.
Carver has a weird way of ending his stories, its almost like you have to dig and look for the message made. I like his writing and I liked this short story a lot because it is very descriptive and almost real. It was so easy to picture every scene in my mind, even the last sentence. I could see that puddle of water next to his feet, but what did it mean?
A Meaningless Stay (Cathedral)
Chef's House
“I want you to try and be the Wes I used to know . The old Wes. The Wes I married.” (p.27) this quote caught my attention quickly because right away we learn that Wes has problems, and Wes is married. Wes is a man so therefore our narrator throughout the story is a woman. Also as we have been learning in class to write with short sentences instead of long descriptive sentences with comas and very little periods in between., this quote is a great example of that short almost cut offs of sentences.
This short story is short and descriptive about the alcoholics and Wes and his wife staying at Chef’s house. But what is the point of the story? Was I supposed to learn something, what point was being made? I had to read this short story two times to come to the decision that either I really did not understand it, or that it was just the story of a vacation at Chef’s House with a meaningless point.
“I want you to try and be the Wes I used to know . The old Wes. The Wes I married.” (p.27) this quote caught my attention quickly because right away we learn that Wes has problems, and Wes is married. Wes is a man so therefore our narrator throughout the story is a woman. Also as we have been learning in class to write with short sentences instead of long descriptive sentences with comas and very little periods in between., this quote is a great example of that short almost cut offs of sentences.
This short story is short and descriptive about the alcoholics and Wes and his wife staying at Chef’s house. But what is the point of the story? Was I supposed to learn something, what point was being made? I had to read this short story two times to come to the decision that either I really did not understand it, or that it was just the story of a vacation at Chef’s House with a meaningless point.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Change Always Comes With Consequences (Cathedral)
Feathers
One moment that you have can change your whole life. I’m not sure if I understood this short story right, but I defiantly understand how Fran and Jack is a couple with no need of anything in their life. They are happy they don’t want children and they enjoy making silly wishes together. One dinner at Olla and Bud’s house makes they change their point of views. Olla and bud’s ugly baby finds away to make Fran feel love towards having children of her own. One little ugly baby smile changed her thoughts about children. At the end of this short story we learn that Fran and Jack have their kids. They keep living their life together, but a life they did not hope for. They had one happy moment that made them change their life to one big disaster. Fran’s beautiful hair that Jack loved so much had been changed, she was sad so she cut it. Why is it that when you see that people are happy because of something and you try to do the same, it does not complete you? Changing your life because of sudden decisions is hard, I think when a person wants change they must think about it and know that there are always consequences.
One moment that you have can change your whole life. I’m not sure if I understood this short story right, but I defiantly understand how Fran and Jack is a couple with no need of anything in their life. They are happy they don’t want children and they enjoy making silly wishes together. One dinner at Olla and Bud’s house makes they change their point of views. Olla and bud’s ugly baby finds away to make Fran feel love towards having children of her own. One little ugly baby smile changed her thoughts about children. At the end of this short story we learn that Fran and Jack have their kids. They keep living their life together, but a life they did not hope for. They had one happy moment that made them change their life to one big disaster. Fran’s beautiful hair that Jack loved so much had been changed, she was sad so she cut it. Why is it that when you see that people are happy because of something and you try to do the same, it does not complete you? Changing your life because of sudden decisions is hard, I think when a person wants change they must think about it and know that there are always consequences.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
To Live A Life With Knowledge (The Handbook)
41-53
These last sections are mostly about the Philosophy of life. The Handbook ends with examples of the philosophy of life and your everyday conduct. Reading these sections I kind of got the idea of just reacting to something or any issue with knowledge. Life is all about using Knowledge and everyday should be lived with good discipline. We learn that the only abuse you get from another person is not to harm each other, but only because that person abusing is disappointed or having trouble with themselves. From this I learn not to hate r get back at a person who is being evil, bad, or mean to me, but I learn to control myself and understand that the person is aching inside and they are not fighting with me but with themselves. I agree with this, because in my opinion I think that people who are angry with themselves or have issues inside of them are those who are always fighting and offending others. It is a way of taking there anger out on the world. “Starting from these considerations you will be gentle with the person who abuses you.” A person does not have to get back at the angry person. Here we are learning to just be there for that person. Things can get better.
Section 44 is about those in society who do not know the difference between being richer or superior to another person. “I am richer than you; therefore I a superior to you.” People can have that difference of having more money than others or being superior in different things, but if you are richer than some one it will not make you more superior to them. To be superior to others is hard, people have there superiority in many different things but that will never make them any better than any person. To be better at something is a gift, but a gift to teach the others so they can be just as good. Those superior people are made to teach and make things better, not to just shove it in someone’s face or to the world that they are superior to others. Power, authority, and money you are still a normal person like anybody else.
In conclusion to The Handbook, I have learned from Epictetus that it is important to always be thinking about your thoughts and actions every single day. It is important to live your on good life with good conduct and knowledge.
These last sections are mostly about the Philosophy of life. The Handbook ends with examples of the philosophy of life and your everyday conduct. Reading these sections I kind of got the idea of just reacting to something or any issue with knowledge. Life is all about using Knowledge and everyday should be lived with good discipline. We learn that the only abuse you get from another person is not to harm each other, but only because that person abusing is disappointed or having trouble with themselves. From this I learn not to hate r get back at a person who is being evil, bad, or mean to me, but I learn to control myself and understand that the person is aching inside and they are not fighting with me but with themselves. I agree with this, because in my opinion I think that people who are angry with themselves or have issues inside of them are those who are always fighting and offending others. It is a way of taking there anger out on the world. “Starting from these considerations you will be gentle with the person who abuses you.” A person does not have to get back at the angry person. Here we are learning to just be there for that person. Things can get better.
Section 44 is about those in society who do not know the difference between being richer or superior to another person. “I am richer than you; therefore I a superior to you.” People can have that difference of having more money than others or being superior in different things, but if you are richer than some one it will not make you more superior to them. To be superior to others is hard, people have there superiority in many different things but that will never make them any better than any person. To be better at something is a gift, but a gift to teach the others so they can be just as good. Those superior people are made to teach and make things better, not to just shove it in someone’s face or to the world that they are superior to others. Power, authority, and money you are still a normal person like anybody else.
In conclusion to The Handbook, I have learned from Epictetus that it is important to always be thinking about your thoughts and actions every single day. It is important to live your on good life with good conduct and knowledge.
Life Actions with Eyes Wide Opened (The Handbook)
31-40
Many of these sections have a lot to do with being you and not letting the others interfere with what you are doing or thinking. For me these sections made me realize or learn that as long as you are sure of something nothing else matters, especially what other people are going to say or think. Do what you are capable of doing and always be aware of what you are doing. A person must always stand out.
“Just as in walking about you pay attention so as not to step on a nail or twist your foot, pay attention in the same way so as not to hard your ruling principles. And if we are on guard about this in every action, we shall set about it more securely.” This is section 38, and it is a perfect example of what I learn from Epictetus. Everything being a person is doing can be done cautiously, not just little things but in general everything. Things would be so much easier if they were to be done with special attention. As to other sections I have interpreted that these sections are for learning the rules of just paying more attention to life. I do not know if other interpret these sections the same way, but reading through this I have learned the values of being conscious of what I am doing.
Many of these sections have a lot to do with being you and not letting the others interfere with what you are doing or thinking. For me these sections made me realize or learn that as long as you are sure of something nothing else matters, especially what other people are going to say or think. Do what you are capable of doing and always be aware of what you are doing. A person must always stand out.
“Just as in walking about you pay attention so as not to step on a nail or twist your foot, pay attention in the same way so as not to hard your ruling principles. And if we are on guard about this in every action, we shall set about it more securely.” This is section 38, and it is a perfect example of what I learn from Epictetus. Everything being a person is doing can be done cautiously, not just little things but in general everything. Things would be so much easier if they were to be done with special attention. As to other sections I have interpreted that these sections are for learning the rules of just paying more attention to life. I do not know if other interpret these sections the same way, but reading through this I have learned the values of being conscious of what I am doing.
No Grieving (The Hanbook)
16-30
Epictetus so far has shown a variety of cautisous yet in a way meaningless rules. I do not mean meaningless as careless, but menaingless to not care so much or make somehting such a big deal. Everything jsut happens because it happens and you must deal with it. Epictetus is not sentimental just like Mersault in The Stranger is ot sentimental. There are things that just do not mean anything and rae not worth worrying for or changing your life for.
Death for both men is something that is not an issue. Not being sentimental means not grieving at all for death. Mersault's mother dies and it does not effect him, it does not change him. In The Handbook, Epictetus makes it clear that if anyone dies it is not worth grieving, it is just better to keep living. Be yourself and worry only about yourself.
Epictetus so far has shown a variety of cautisous yet in a way meaningless rules. I do not mean meaningless as careless, but menaingless to not care so much or make somehting such a big deal. Everything jsut happens because it happens and you must deal with it. Epictetus is not sentimental just like Mersault in The Stranger is ot sentimental. There are things that just do not mean anything and rae not worth worrying for or changing your life for.
Death for both men is something that is not an issue. Not being sentimental means not grieving at all for death. Mersault's mother dies and it does not effect him, it does not change him. In The Handbook, Epictetus makes it clear that if anyone dies it is not worth grieving, it is just better to keep living. Be yourself and worry only about yourself.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Thinking Before Acting ( The Hanbook)
1-15
“When you are about to undertake some action, remind yourself what sort of action it is.”
The Handbook is a guide. It’s full of rules that were for the soldiers, but at the same time it can guide all of us by making us wiser. The quote I have chosen is number 4 of the Handbook. I chose it because it reminds me of The Stranger. Mersault shot the Arab without thinking about his actions. It is always normal to not think before you act, but you have to know that there are things and actions that need to be controlled. Each action mad without thinking can get you I trouble or just ruin your life. As in Mersault’s case, because of not thinking of the consequences and what could happen right after killing the man. It’s very important to always be aware of what one is doing and take responsibilities of ones own choices.
“When you are about to undertake some action, remind yourself what sort of action it is.”
The Handbook is a guide. It’s full of rules that were for the soldiers, but at the same time it can guide all of us by making us wiser. The quote I have chosen is number 4 of the Handbook. I chose it because it reminds me of The Stranger. Mersault shot the Arab without thinking about his actions. It is always normal to not think before you act, but you have to know that there are things and actions that need to be controlled. Each action mad without thinking can get you I trouble or just ruin your life. As in Mersault’s case, because of not thinking of the consequences and what could happen right after killing the man. It’s very important to always be aware of what one is doing and take responsibilities of ones own choices.
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