Questions & Answers and Discussion

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Tragic Hero?

The Tragic Hero

A tragic hero is a character who is doomed to fail due to a vital flaw. Aristotle, who can be considered the father of tragedy, defined tragedy as: "the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself." The hero is destined to succeed in his own way, but for some reason, like the time or situation, are fated to fail.
A few other characteristics of tragic heroes are that:
    *they are born into nobility;
    *they are responsible for their own fate
    *they fall from extremely high esteem
    * they realize they have made an irreversible mistake;
    * they face death honorably

Even though they may be a fallen hero, he still wins a moral victory, and his spirit will live on forever.  In short, a tragic hero is doomed to make a serious error in judgment which will ultimately result in his downfall.
Discussion:

• Do tragic heroes really exist or are they humans who are driven by their own folly?
• Does Aristotle's definition perpetuate class, gender, and social divisions in society?

Please respond to both questions.  Provide evidence to support your claim.  Do not forget to respond to two of your peers.
 

 

Conductor of Lightning

Antigone

According to the critic Northrop Fryre, “Tragic heroes are so much the highest points in their human landscapes that they seem the inevitable conductors of the power about them, great trees more likely to be struck by lightning than a clump of grass.  Conductors may of course be instruments as well as victims of the divine lightning.” How does this quote relate to Antigone, the character?  Please use evidence from the text to support your claims.  Do not forget to respond to two of your peers. 

Final Casement

                                                                                        Bluer than Mine...

It's easy to read the final chapter quickly, since it consists mostly of rapid dialogue between Pecola and what appears to be an imaginary friend. Essentially, Pecola convinces herself that the reason no one talks to her and the reason her own mother can't make eye contact with her is because everyone is jealous of her eyes. It's just too hard, and Pecola is too darn young, to admit that the real reason she is being ignored is because she was raped by her father and delivered his child.  Nonetheless, Pecola is happy.

How does the final casement affect the work as a whole? Should the reader find consolance in that Pecola is "happy"?

Refuge in How

What Do You Think...

          Claudia states: There is really nothing more to say -- except why. But since why is difficult to
           handle, one must take refuge in how.

Does Morrison succeed in explaining how? Consider discussing the following people as you answer this question: Mrs. Breedlove, Cholly, and Soaphead Church.  Make sure you appropriately respond to at least three of your peers posts.

Allusions and Cultural References

The Bluest Eye Allusions & Cultural References

         When authors refer to other great works, people, and events, it’s usually not accidental. Put on your super-sleuth hat and figure out why. For each of the references below, write a brief summary of the work, character, or event. Then choose one of Morrison's allusions and discuss it importance to the work as a whole as your blog post. Do not forget to respond to at least two of your peers' posts.  All responses should be highly structured and demonstrate a comprehension of the English language. 

 

 

Foil Characters

Author's Use of Character Foil

A foil, or foil character, is a character in a story that acts in a drastically different way than the main protagonist in order to show the strong differences between the characters. The term comes from jewelers, who would use dull bases and stands to make shiny gems appear shinier.  In a highly structured paragraph, explain how Morrison uses character foils to illuminate specific traits in one of the main characters.  Do not forget to respond to at least two of your peers' responses.

Literary Focus: Characterization

Prose Fiction
Laura Anne Gilman states in her blog about literature,
     “Clever's not enough to hold me - I want characters who are more than devices to be moved about for Effect.”
What are your thought? Do you agree with Gilman?  Please explain your answer.  Also, do not forget to respond to at least one of your peers.

Mothering Blackness

How does the author's choice of structure affect the clarity of meaning in the poem? Please use details and examples from the text to support your answer.

Analyzing Conflict

Desire meets Obstruction
Conflict stems when the will of an individual opposes the will of another or in some cases, the will of others. Therefore, identify a conflict illustrated by Toni Morrison in the Bluest Eye. Additionally, share how you believe these conflicts affect the plot.

As you write your essay, remember the following:

Level 4-5 Analysis:
Man vs. Man; Man vs. Nature;
Man vs. Society; Man vs. Self; and
Man vs. Supernatural

Level 6-9 Analysis:
Author's reason and purpose for developing this particular conflict...
How the author reveals the conflict...
The underlying truth revealed through the conflict...
Discussion and critique of all consequences (good or bad)...

Analyzing Point of View

The Narrator...
The point of view of a text affects the credibility as well as the overall impression of the work. Thus, based on your reading, how does the point of view of the Bluest Eye affect the literary work as a whole?

Development of Characterization

Bluest Eye: Characterization
Authors attempt to create charcaters that evoke emotion and represent real people. So far you have been introduced to several characters in the text. Please share your thoughts about the following questions:
1. How do Claudia and Frieda respond to Pecola?
2. How do China, Poland, and Miss. Marie respond to Pecola?
3. Choose a character not listed to expose your thoughts.

Desdamona's Death

As discussed in class, I would like to know your thoughts about the tragedy that befell Desdemona. Who do you feel is responsible for the death of Desdemona?

Naturally, some argue that Iago is to blame, while other charge Othello. Interestingly and unexpectedly, a few people accuse Desdemona. What do you think? Who is to blame for Desdemona’s heartrending death?

Timed Writing Hint

Definition

A confidant (man) or confidante (woman) is a character in a drama or fiction, such as a trusted friend or servant, who serves as a device for revealing the inner thoughts or intentions of a main character. Please share your thoughts or post your questions...