These are unrelated characters and events. Just trying out the style.
- Awright, Aiden?
- Aye... I just wis thinkin, ken?
- Aye... Ye look a wee bit sad is aw.
Aiden shrugged, glancing up at Matthew. They had known each other since they were young, and were like brothers.
- We kin go to the pub, likesay, fir a drink.
- Aye.
Aiden nodded his agreement, standing from where he'd been seated on the building's stoop.
- Ye cannae be sad wi a good drink, kin ye?
- Naw.
He finally smiled a bit, glancing over at his friend as they walked.
Something else I wanted to mention. Neil Gaiman is a British author. When writing his novel American Gods, which takes place in the United States, he said he consciously had to think about writing in "American" rather than "British," because it needed to be believable to American audiences. He said this was somewhat like trying to write a novel in French. Even though it's English still, it is like an entirely different language when it needs to be convincing to the people who speak it. Writing this was similar. It's still English, but I had to stop and look up how every word was spelled, even words like "you" or "for." Very interesting experience.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Trainspotting 4/30/12
In the article we read, this line stood out to me: "Whenever I discuss Scottishness with Scottish students the consensus is that the only good indicator of a Scot is a Scottish accent." I wish the article had gone more in depth on this topic. Does this mean the Scottish do not have distinctive characteristics other than their accents? Or are they simply not characteristics useful in determining upon a first meeting someone's nationality? It seems hard to believe that this is the only indicator, or differentiating factor, though the accent is distinct.
The sections at the end of Exile that are told from the third person are fascinating as well. Since the rest of the book is told in such distinct, first person voices, these chapters stood out from the rest. It was a completely different experience to watch these characters from the outside, rather than from the point of view of a character.
The sections at the end of Exile that are told from the third person are fascinating as well. Since the rest of the book is told in such distinct, first person voices, these chapters stood out from the rest. It was a completely different experience to watch these characters from the outside, rather than from the point of view of a character.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Trainspotting 4/25/12
The scene with the squirrel stuck out to me in this section of reading. Renton seems, from the beginning of the novel, to be one of the least violent characters. Yet here, he has no qualms about killing a squirrel, something that upsets Spud greatly. Spud speculates about this. He suggests that it's because the squirrel is "free. That's mibbe what Rents cannae stand. The squirrel's free, man." He then relates the squirrel to baby Dawn, and says how their lives were wasted for no reason, and how it makes him sad and angry. This scene paints an interesting picture of both Renton and Spud. The reader sees a slightly more violent side of Renton, and the very gentle, compassionate side of Spud.
Comparing the film to the book was fascinating. I had only read the first half of the book when I watched the film, so it was interesting to see how the events of the first half of the book ended up all over the film, not just the first half. Things were changed, and moved around, but the feel of the film was similar to the feel of the book. I also feel that the characters were portrayed well, and as expected, except Begbie. Not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't him.
Comparing the film to the book was fascinating. I had only read the first half of the book when I watched the film, so it was interesting to see how the events of the first half of the book ended up all over the film, not just the first half. Things were changed, and moved around, but the feel of the film was similar to the feel of the book. I also feel that the characters were portrayed well, and as expected, except Begbie. Not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't him.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Trainspotting 4/23/12
The first part of Trainspotting firmly establishes the world of the novel, heavily influenced by drugs and the means of getting drugs. The audience is introduced to the characters and to their world. It is dark and dirty and unstable, and even in the first two sections, several people get hurt and/or die. However, their lives, while sad, are not as miserable and hopeless as one might expect. What was the most surprising wasn't the drugs or the sex, it was the absolutely revolting moments, such as when Mark/Rents digs in the clogged toilet for his drugs.
The different accents are interesting as well. It is a bit difficult to differentiate between the Scottish voices, and to establish who is speaking. However, the difference between these and the more familiar English is stark, and therefore, interesting, because it makes uniquely different characters. The Scottish parts are hard to read and at first, a bit tedious, but it is very critical to the story to differentiate between Scotland and England.
The different accents are interesting as well. It is a bit difficult to differentiate between the Scottish voices, and to establish who is speaking. However, the difference between these and the more familiar English is stark, and therefore, interesting, because it makes uniquely different characters. The Scottish parts are hard to read and at first, a bit tedious, but it is very critical to the story to differentiate between Scotland and England.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Cock and Bull 4/18/12
I have commented on Cock and Bull several times previously now, so I will refrain from reiterating what I've already said (I finished reading it a week ago, so I don't have any new light to shed on today's portion).
I will focus instead on how interesting reading the interview between Self and Amis was. This was not even because of the content. It was because of how the interview, as Self and Amis' exact words, demonstrates who they are, and can be used in examining their works. The interview was far more intriguing because it was two authors we've read, rather than one being interviewed by someone unrelated. It made for a much better comparison point. Seeing both authors as authors, rather than as narrators, sheds an entirely different light on the works. It was also fascinating to hear them talk about their own works, and each others. It is one thing to speculate about a work, and another to hear about it from the author himself.
I will focus instead on how interesting reading the interview between Self and Amis was. This was not even because of the content. It was because of how the interview, as Self and Amis' exact words, demonstrates who they are, and can be used in examining their works. The interview was far more intriguing because it was two authors we've read, rather than one being interviewed by someone unrelated. It made for a much better comparison point. Seeing both authors as authors, rather than as narrators, sheds an entirely different light on the works. It was also fascinating to hear them talk about their own works, and each others. It is one thing to speculate about a work, and another to hear about it from the author himself.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Cock and Bull 4/16/12
I will start out by again mentioning that I greatly preferred "Bull" to "Cock." It was a combination of things - Bull was a far more likable character than Carol, and the sexuality of the piece was a bit less in your face than in "Cock." Clearly, the sexuality is still present, but it isn't quite as obsessive like Carol's. It's more sensitive, because, while Carol becomes more masculine and powerful with her new body part, Bull becomes more feminine and sensitive with his. This, for whatever reason, made him far easier to sympathize with, which made the piece more enjoyable.
In the article we read, a line on page 122 stood out to me. It says, "There is nothing like rubbing shoulders with the forbidden for it to lose its totemic power." This line is interesting because it's so true. Things are taboo in a culture because the people of that culture are not accustomed to them. But the more someone spends time with a taboo thing or idea, the less taboo it becomes. Americans object to the idea of eating horse and dog, but in many cultures, it is as normal (or more normal) than chicken, cow, or pig. These books are like this too. They're strange and uncomfortable at first, but the further one reads, and the more books like these one reads, the less weird it becomes. It's simply desensitizing. Funny, to think about how different the world would be if everyone understood than and accepted more.
In the article we read, a line on page 122 stood out to me. It says, "There is nothing like rubbing shoulders with the forbidden for it to lose its totemic power." This line is interesting because it's so true. Things are taboo in a culture because the people of that culture are not accustomed to them. But the more someone spends time with a taboo thing or idea, the less taboo it becomes. Americans object to the idea of eating horse and dog, but in many cultures, it is as normal (or more normal) than chicken, cow, or pig. These books are like this too. They're strange and uncomfortable at first, but the further one reads, and the more books like these one reads, the less weird it becomes. It's simply desensitizing. Funny, to think about how different the world would be if everyone understood than and accepted more.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Will Self imitation 4/11/12
Matthew woke one day to find that his skin had become scaly and that his back had a dome-shaped growth on it. The growth sounded hollow when knocked upon, like a shell. He struggled to get out of bed and, once in the bathroom, stared incredulously at his new appearance.
No amount of lotion would smooth out the rough, greenish-grey skin. He tried, with an entire bottle. When that failed, he stood, staring into the mirror, contemplating with the strange calmness that comes after a serious shock. He certainly couldn't go to school or to work like this. He doubted if he could go out in public at all. He couldn't even go to the doctor. He wondered whether his physician made house calls. He wondered whether he would give his physician a heart attack, when the doctor saw that the young man strongly resembled a tortoise.
No amount of lotion would smooth out the rough, greenish-grey skin. He tried, with an entire bottle. When that failed, he stood, staring into the mirror, contemplating with the strange calmness that comes after a serious shock. He certainly couldn't go to school or to work like this. He doubted if he could go out in public at all. He couldn't even go to the doctor. He wondered whether his physician made house calls. He wondered whether he would give his physician a heart attack, when the doctor saw that the young man strongly resembled a tortoise.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Cock and Bull Review
Cock and Bull is a book by Will Self comprised of two shorter works, "Cock" and "Bull." "Cock" is the story of Carol, a rather unhappily married woman who inexplicably grows a penis. Similarly, "Bull" is the story of a man named Bull who one day wakes up to find he has a vagina on the back of his leg. Carol's bodily change makes her more masculine and powerful, enabling her to later engage in behavior she wouldn't previously have been able to (not only sexually). In contrast but not surprisingly, Bull's change makes him quite sensitive and rather feminine. Like Carol, his story ends somewhat surprisingly, though both endings are in fitting with their suggested characters. Both stories feature dysfunctional relationships that are later resolved in some way, and Carol and Bull both continue on with their lives.
While both stories were interesting, "Cock" was less enjoyable because of Carol's personality and behavior and how she was portrayed. the manner in which it was written was successful, but it was difficult to relate to or sympathize with the character. "Bull" was far more enjoyable, likely because Bull was a more sensitive character who was easier to sympathize with. He was a kind man both before and after his change, whereas Carol was always rather unpleasant. Bo were written very similarly, however, and were quite successful despite being about a somewhat "different" topic. The book poses a lot of questions about gender, gender roles, and sexuality, which makes it rather thought provoking and perhaps worth a read despite it being a bit uncomfortable to read, particularly in public.
Sorry this assignment is a bit short and a bit late. Was out of town for Passover and Easter and just returned.
While both stories were interesting, "Cock" was less enjoyable because of Carol's personality and behavior and how she was portrayed. the manner in which it was written was successful, but it was difficult to relate to or sympathize with the character. "Bull" was far more enjoyable, likely because Bull was a more sensitive character who was easier to sympathize with. He was a kind man both before and after his change, whereas Carol was always rather unpleasant. Bo were written very similarly, however, and were quite successful despite being about a somewhat "different" topic. The book poses a lot of questions about gender, gender roles, and sexuality, which makes it rather thought provoking and perhaps worth a read despite it being a bit uncomfortable to read, particularly in public.
Sorry this assignment is a bit short and a bit late. Was out of town for Passover and Easter and just returned.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Professor Self 4/4/12
I read the following article published in The Guardian in February of 2012: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/feb/23/professor-self-university-knowledge-value
There were two lines that stuck out to me the most, standing out from the rest of the predominantly expected article. One was this:
"I realise that the above may make it sound as if I'm more concerned with what I will get out of teaching these students, rather than what they may get out of me – but actually I believe the two are pretty much the same thing," followed later in the paragraph by "There is something mysteriously powerful that can happen when young, inchoate minds come into contact with older and more worldly ones in a spirit of intellectual and creative endeavour – if I believed in progress I suppose that's what I'd call it."
This is strikingly true. Each generation comes from essentially its own world. The younger generations have a newer world, full of new technology and new ideas. The older generations have been around longer and therefore know more and have more experiences. They, too, are experiencing the new world, but in a different way, as they are no longer as new themselves. When this young generation becomes the older generation, the new world will become knowledge, and a new new world will be in existence. There is also the idea of two perspectives - yes, the younger and the older perspective, but also simply the two different perspectives of two different people. People react differently to things. Different ideas come to different people. They interpret and understand things differently. In combining these various ideas, understandings, and perspectives, a fuller understanding can be reached, as well as a more complete idea.
As a student, particularly in a group discussion-based learning environment, I sure hope the teachers learn as much as we do, or maybe even more. I hope our discussions give them new ideas and new ways to think about things, and that they will take what they have learned from us and apply them to later groups of students, who will then take the ideas we developed and passed on and develop them even further. This combining and enhancing of ideas is so important - it's how we have the world we have today. So, Will Self is right to be concerned with what he will get out of teaching the students. What he learns will benefit future students, who will in turn benefit him and other people.
Self also says: "However, if I don't believe I'm helping my students towards a fuller and more empowering relationship with the world, then I'll resign." This is a very powerful thing to say. It suggests that he fully realizes the implications and importance of education, both in receiving and in providing it.
There were two lines that stuck out to me the most, standing out from the rest of the predominantly expected article. One was this:
"I realise that the above may make it sound as if I'm more concerned with what I will get out of teaching these students, rather than what they may get out of me – but actually I believe the two are pretty much the same thing," followed later in the paragraph by "There is something mysteriously powerful that can happen when young, inchoate minds come into contact with older and more worldly ones in a spirit of intellectual and creative endeavour – if I believed in progress I suppose that's what I'd call it."
This is strikingly true. Each generation comes from essentially its own world. The younger generations have a newer world, full of new technology and new ideas. The older generations have been around longer and therefore know more and have more experiences. They, too, are experiencing the new world, but in a different way, as they are no longer as new themselves. When this young generation becomes the older generation, the new world will become knowledge, and a new new world will be in existence. There is also the idea of two perspectives - yes, the younger and the older perspective, but also simply the two different perspectives of two different people. People react differently to things. Different ideas come to different people. They interpret and understand things differently. In combining these various ideas, understandings, and perspectives, a fuller understanding can be reached, as well as a more complete idea.
As a student, particularly in a group discussion-based learning environment, I sure hope the teachers learn as much as we do, or maybe even more. I hope our discussions give them new ideas and new ways to think about things, and that they will take what they have learned from us and apply them to later groups of students, who will then take the ideas we developed and passed on and develop them even further. This combining and enhancing of ideas is so important - it's how we have the world we have today. So, Will Self is right to be concerned with what he will get out of teaching the students. What he learns will benefit future students, who will in turn benefit him and other people.
Self also says: "However, if I don't believe I'm helping my students towards a fuller and more empowering relationship with the world, then I'll resign." This is a very powerful thing to say. It suggests that he fully realizes the implications and importance of education, both in receiving and in providing it.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)