Considering Blair's crummy luck and his brother's relative success, I kind of feel bad for him. He seems like one of those people who always get the raw deal, the short end of the stick, if you will. Not only this, but now his girlfriend seems to be into Bunny and Bunny is playing her like a violin. It's a shame to see a man like Blair, someone with conviction and determination, be shut down time and time again by society and life in general. In addition, it seems like Bunny doesn't care for Blair at all, whereas Blair tries to help Bunny and gives him advice on how to get his life in order. Bunny almost causes them to get reexamined and possibly have their freedom taken away, just because he refuses to admit that something was his fault. It seems like Pierre is just playing them off of each other for comedic effect, but it still annoys me a little that Blair is getting all of this abuse.
On the other hand, I'm overjoyed for Ludmila and her good fortune. Hopefully, Misha will be able to save Ludmila from going to work at the munitions factory before her family finds out. Her mother and grandmother seem like "the Bunny" of this family: they always rely on other to do work for them, yet seem to consistently succeed. In this way, Ludmila is essentially used by her family, like how Blair is used by Bunny. It seems, however, that Ludmila has some good fortune coming her way through Misha, who has connections and will be able to help them escape West, if they make it out in time.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Outside Reading, Week 3, Post A
Vocab
fusty (77) : having a stale smell; moldy; musty
fastidious (68) : excessively particular, critical, or demanding; hard to please
Figurative Language:
"'What I'm trying to put out before your face are the obvious facts - the district is cultivating dead soldiers like peas, do you think a man follows them all around to make papers?" (59)
In this excerpt, Pierre compares the way the district is cultivating dead soldiers to the way one would cultivate peas using a simile. I think he chose to use this comparison to help the reader understand the current environment that Ludmila is living in. She and her family are in the middle of a war zone and the sound of gun fire and artillery is a part of their everyday life. This also helps show the atrocities of the war and toll that it is taking on the young men of their community.
"London was a power grid churning with such potentials. Blair was electrified by her possibilities" (68).
Pierre uses a metaphor to compare London to a power grid, meaning that London is full of life and energy, much like a power grid. However, Pierre couples this with a sort of pun in the next sentence, claiming that Blair was "electrified by her possibilities." Electrified, in this sense, means inspired or excited, not the literal definition. However, a power grid IS electrified in the literal sense, putting a humorous spin on these two lines.
"He curled an eye over his back like Quasimodo, and sent a pitiful shrug to Nicolah. Her eyes cradled him. [...] Bunny turned side-on, still hunched like a serf awaiting the cat-o'-nine, and pointed empty eyes at his brother" (77).
Throughout the book, there has always been some tension between Blair and Bunny, most likely as the result of their polar opposite ideologies. Now that Nicolah, Blair's girlfriend has entered the picture, the tension is escalating. Nicolah tends to sympathize with Bunny and care for him, rather than realize that most of the time, he is the cause of his problems. Bunny hams it up, but Blair sees right through it and sort of mocks him in this passage. He uses two similes to compare Bunny to things that one might have pity on (Quasimodo and a serf that is waiting to be punished), but he uses these similes sarcastically. Blair sort of pretends to fall for Bunny's trap in a sarcastic manner, reflecting his growing hatred for his brother.
Quote
"A cushion of tongue appeared at the gap in Kiska's teeth. She raised a finger to her lips. Ludmila scowled, and followed another little finger through the curtain to the back window. Misha Bukinov was there" (67).
I felt that this quote was significant because it foreshadows a dramatic change in the life of Ludmila. Up until this point, she was being essentially forced to go to one of the larger cities and labor to support the family, but now that Misha, her boyfriend, is here, she may have a chance at escaping and finally making it West like she always wanted.
Theme
Right now, I would say that in addition to the theme of an individual's obligation to themselves vs. their obligation to their family members, there is an emerging theme of jealousy, especially between Bunny and Blair. Despite Blair's constant attempts to start a new life and be productive, he seems to get no further than Bunny, who just sits around all day and drinks. In addition, Blair's girlfriend seems to be sympathizing and warming up to Bunny, which annoys Blair even more.
fusty (77) : having a stale smell; moldy; musty
fastidious (68) : excessively particular, critical, or demanding; hard to please
Figurative Language:
"'What I'm trying to put out before your face are the obvious facts - the district is cultivating dead soldiers like peas, do you think a man follows them all around to make papers?" (59)
In this excerpt, Pierre compares the way the district is cultivating dead soldiers to the way one would cultivate peas using a simile. I think he chose to use this comparison to help the reader understand the current environment that Ludmila is living in. She and her family are in the middle of a war zone and the sound of gun fire and artillery is a part of their everyday life. This also helps show the atrocities of the war and toll that it is taking on the young men of their community.
"London was a power grid churning with such potentials. Blair was electrified by her possibilities" (68).
Pierre uses a metaphor to compare London to a power grid, meaning that London is full of life and energy, much like a power grid. However, Pierre couples this with a sort of pun in the next sentence, claiming that Blair was "electrified by her possibilities." Electrified, in this sense, means inspired or excited, not the literal definition. However, a power grid IS electrified in the literal sense, putting a humorous spin on these two lines.
"He curled an eye over his back like Quasimodo, and sent a pitiful shrug to Nicolah. Her eyes cradled him. [...] Bunny turned side-on, still hunched like a serf awaiting the cat-o'-nine, and pointed empty eyes at his brother" (77).
Throughout the book, there has always been some tension between Blair and Bunny, most likely as the result of their polar opposite ideologies. Now that Nicolah, Blair's girlfriend has entered the picture, the tension is escalating. Nicolah tends to sympathize with Bunny and care for him, rather than realize that most of the time, he is the cause of his problems. Bunny hams it up, but Blair sees right through it and sort of mocks him in this passage. He uses two similes to compare Bunny to things that one might have pity on (Quasimodo and a serf that is waiting to be punished), but he uses these similes sarcastically. Blair sort of pretends to fall for Bunny's trap in a sarcastic manner, reflecting his growing hatred for his brother.
Quote
"A cushion of tongue appeared at the gap in Kiska's teeth. She raised a finger to her lips. Ludmila scowled, and followed another little finger through the curtain to the back window. Misha Bukinov was there" (67).
I felt that this quote was significant because it foreshadows a dramatic change in the life of Ludmila. Up until this point, she was being essentially forced to go to one of the larger cities and labor to support the family, but now that Misha, her boyfriend, is here, she may have a chance at escaping and finally making it West like she always wanted.
Theme
Right now, I would say that in addition to the theme of an individual's obligation to themselves vs. their obligation to their family members, there is an emerging theme of jealousy, especially between Bunny and Blair. Despite Blair's constant attempts to start a new life and be productive, he seems to get no further than Bunny, who just sits around all day and drinks. In addition, Blair's girlfriend seems to be sympathizing and warming up to Bunny, which annoys Blair even more.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Outside Reading, Week 2, Post B
There now a definite emerging theme of protecting and caring for one's own interests vs. the interests of other and those around you. Ludmila is probably having the hardest time in this debate, as she is constantly stuck between protecting her own interests and trying to support the family and protect the family's interests. Unfortunately, she has always chosen her family up to this point despite having many opportunities open to her. She could easily escape with her boyfriend and head West, and she knows English, so she could easily get a job somewhere. However, she continues to stay with her family, even though they treat her terribly.
Blair, too, has to face this dilemma. He was recently separated from his twin, Bunny, and the two are now trying to live a normal life with the funds and programs that the government gave them after they received so much media attention. Blair seeks to find a job and start a lifelong career, whereas Bunny choses to lounge at home, living off of government welfare checks. This debate gets them into constant arguments and even turns violent occasionally. However, Bunny is soon learning that he needs Blair to help him survive and get a job, as he is running low on funds and is extremely sensitive to light. Blair, like Ludmila, chooses to support his brother.
I suppose in Blair's case, I can see why he would chose to help his sibling. The two of them have a very strong bong and Bunny is truly in need of Blair's support to keep living a normal life. Ludmila, on the other hand, I just can't quite figure out. She is very talented and could easily find a better life, but instead, choses to live with her family, who treat her terribly in the first place.
Blair, too, has to face this dilemma. He was recently separated from his twin, Bunny, and the two are now trying to live a normal life with the funds and programs that the government gave them after they received so much media attention. Blair seeks to find a job and start a lifelong career, whereas Bunny choses to lounge at home, living off of government welfare checks. This debate gets them into constant arguments and even turns violent occasionally. However, Bunny is soon learning that he needs Blair to help him survive and get a job, as he is running low on funds and is extremely sensitive to light. Blair, like Ludmila, chooses to support his brother.
I suppose in Blair's case, I can see why he would chose to help his sibling. The two of them have a very strong bong and Bunny is truly in need of Blair's support to keep living a normal life. Ludmila, on the other hand, I just can't quite figure out. She is very talented and could easily find a better life, but instead, choses to live with her family, who treat her terribly in the first place.
Outside Reading, Week 2, Post A
Vocab
klaxon (56): a loud electric horn, formerly used on automobiles, trucks, etc., and now often used as a warning signal.
parasiticide (55): an agent or preparation that destroys parasites.
Figurative Language
"A pain twinkled in Bunny's chest when he surfaced. He spun about to smooth the flannel that clung to the tub's rim like a slice of ragged ham" (44).
In this excerpt, DBC Pierre uses a simile to compare the way the flannel clung to the tub's rim to the way a slice of ragged ham would do the same. I believe that he chose "a slice of ragged ham" as his object of comparison for comedic effect. Earlier in the chapter, all Bunny talked about was his craving of ham and all the different cuts of ham. So, after not talking about it for several paragraphs, Pierre ends the chapter with a obscure/humorous reference to the beginning of the chapter, overall entertaining the reader.
"Her breasts and belly, and the fat that hung from her cheeks and neck, traveled downwards to sniff her grave" (45).
DBC Pierre is describing Irina Aleksandrovna to the reader in this quote and he does so in a very entertaining manner. This passage could be thought of as a hyperbole and a personification, as well as possibly even a foreshadowing. I say this is a hyperbole because with the text "the fat [...] traveled downwards to sniff her grave" isn't meant to be taken literally. DBC Pierre uses this to say that a lot of fat was sagging on her and was traveling towards the ground. I also say that this could be a personification because the fat doesn't have the ability to "sniff", but Pierre gives it this ability in order to compliment the hyperbole. One has to be close to sniff something, so coupling this with the hyperbole lets the reader see how far the fat will sag in the hyperbole. The use of the word "grave" also hints that it could be used as a foreshadowing, saying that the fat would eventually kill Irina.
Quote
"'Stay this side of the gate,' he whispered. The gate was a concept of Bunny's, a mental tool he had devised to help him cope with the world around him" (57).
I felt that this quote very accurately portrays the general feeling of the plot right now. In both plots, there is one person who is trying to progress forward and do something meaningful and useful, but they are being dragged down by those around them. These people that are dragging them down on the "other side of the gate" so to speak. They don't completely understand the situation and try to attach themselves to others or depend on others as a result. In Bunny's case, he is trying to latch on to Blair so he won't "fail" the social experiment, whereas in Ludmila's case, Irina and Olga are trying to make her do the work and support the family.
Theme
Currently, I would have to say there is an emerging theme of an individual's obligation to themselves vs. their obligation to their family members. Ludmila's family is trying to force her to work for them and support the family, but at the same time, she wants to run away with her boyfriend and live a better life. In Blair's case, Bunny, his separated twin, is trying to leech onto him and make him fail the social program, but Blair wants to live a normal life and try not to be held back by the fact that he was attached.
klaxon (56): a loud electric horn, formerly used on automobiles, trucks, etc., and now often used as a warning signal.
parasiticide (55): an agent or preparation that destroys parasites.
Figurative Language
"A pain twinkled in Bunny's chest when he surfaced. He spun about to smooth the flannel that clung to the tub's rim like a slice of ragged ham" (44).
In this excerpt, DBC Pierre uses a simile to compare the way the flannel clung to the tub's rim to the way a slice of ragged ham would do the same. I believe that he chose "a slice of ragged ham" as his object of comparison for comedic effect. Earlier in the chapter, all Bunny talked about was his craving of ham and all the different cuts of ham. So, after not talking about it for several paragraphs, Pierre ends the chapter with a obscure/humorous reference to the beginning of the chapter, overall entertaining the reader.
"Her breasts and belly, and the fat that hung from her cheeks and neck, traveled downwards to sniff her grave" (45).
DBC Pierre is describing Irina Aleksandrovna to the reader in this quote and he does so in a very entertaining manner. This passage could be thought of as a hyperbole and a personification, as well as possibly even a foreshadowing. I say this is a hyperbole because with the text "the fat [...] traveled downwards to sniff her grave" isn't meant to be taken literally. DBC Pierre uses this to say that a lot of fat was sagging on her and was traveling towards the ground. I also say that this could be a personification because the fat doesn't have the ability to "sniff", but Pierre gives it this ability in order to compliment the hyperbole. One has to be close to sniff something, so coupling this with the hyperbole lets the reader see how far the fat will sag in the hyperbole. The use of the word "grave" also hints that it could be used as a foreshadowing, saying that the fat would eventually kill Irina.
"Maksimilian moved like an upholstered whip of muscle, dragging an oil drum into the tractor's lea, lighting dung bricks in it, and carring chairs from the shack" (48).
Quote
"'Stay this side of the gate,' he whispered. The gate was a concept of Bunny's, a mental tool he had devised to help him cope with the world around him" (57).
I felt that this quote very accurately portrays the general feeling of the plot right now. In both plots, there is one person who is trying to progress forward and do something meaningful and useful, but they are being dragged down by those around them. These people that are dragging them down on the "other side of the gate" so to speak. They don't completely understand the situation and try to attach themselves to others or depend on others as a result. In Bunny's case, he is trying to latch on to Blair so he won't "fail" the social experiment, whereas in Ludmila's case, Irina and Olga are trying to make her do the work and support the family.
Theme
Currently, I would have to say there is an emerging theme of an individual's obligation to themselves vs. their obligation to their family members. Ludmila's family is trying to force her to work for them and support the family, but at the same time, she wants to run away with her boyfriend and live a better life. In Blair's case, Bunny, his separated twin, is trying to leech onto him and make him fail the social program, but Blair wants to live a normal life and try not to be held back by the fact that he was attached.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Outside Reading, Week 1, Post B
Wow. Just wow. Could this book be any more messed up? I don't believe so. In the first 30 pages alone, Ludmila kills her grandfather by jamming a mitten down his throat while he was raping her so that she could feed the family dinner....yes, that's right, the grandfather was raping his granddaughter. But wait, it's not over! Ludmila's brother comes over to Ludmila while she is being raped and asks her if she is almost done because he is starving. What is this? I don't understand. Ludmila was originally portrayed to be such a strong character and now this? It just doesn't flow with the plot line.
Also, I don't see why Ludmila would make a sacrifice like this for her family when they really haven't done anything for her. Her brother is rude and selfish and her sister is completely useless. She really doesn't need to do this, but she does it anyway. Is the author trying to convey something to the reader about selflessness and sacrifice for the common good? Is he trying to throw some dark humor in and spice things up a bit? It seemed like he tried to twist some comedic elements in, but they didn't play out so well. Could he be setting up a larger plot element later on in the novel? Possibly. Whatever Pierre is trying to do, it's really not connecting with me for right now. Hopefully this will make more sense in the coming chapter and I won't come to regret my book choice.
Also, I don't see why Ludmila would make a sacrifice like this for her family when they really haven't done anything for her. Her brother is rude and selfish and her sister is completely useless. She really doesn't need to do this, but she does it anyway. Is the author trying to convey something to the reader about selflessness and sacrifice for the common good? Is he trying to throw some dark humor in and spice things up a bit? It seemed like he tried to twist some comedic elements in, but they didn't play out so well. Could he be setting up a larger plot element later on in the novel? Possibly. Whatever Pierre is trying to do, it's really not connecting with me for right now. Hopefully this will make more sense in the coming chapter and I won't come to regret my book choice.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Outside Reading, Week 1, Post A
Vocab
arabesque (21): A complex, ornate design of intertwined floral, foliate, and geometric figures.
maelstrom (15): a restless, disordered, or tumultuous state of affairs.
Figurative Language
"He never fully recovered from the operation. Both sensed that he wouldn't survive that first Christmas. Blair, meanwhile, crackled like gunfire out of Bunny's dominion. He found himself in a world churning with opportunity [...] self-empowerment." (14)
In this passage, DBC Pierre uses a simile to compare the way Blair crackled out of Bunny's dominion to the way gunfire crackles. I believe his choice to use "crackled" and "gunfire" was part of a deliberate attempt to convey how powerful and wild Blair was when he was finally separated from Bunny.
"The mountains threw a shadow beside her, an early consulate of the night." (19)
In this excerpt, Pierre uses a personification to help the reader fully envision the setting by giving the mountains the human ability to throw. Ludmila is preparing to meet with her boyfriend and escape, but right now, she is alone and slightly nervous. It seems like Pierre gave the mountains this quality so it would seem like Ludmila is really not alone.
"An icy gust ran its fingers through her hair, flicked it high around her face, to seem like ravens abducting a cherub. Behind her the sky was a pool getting deeper, though not deep enough to contain her excitement and resolve." (20)
Pierre uses a metaphor to compare the sky to a pool getting deeper, without using like or as. Pierre most likely chose a pool for a comparison so that the reader can get a feel for the setting and visualize the sky as completely blank and dark.
Quote
"Ludmila shook herself into the present, and hurried through the snow to fetch home her grandfather. She wasn't to know things were about to change." (21)
I felt that this quote will be significant coming up because it foreshadows some upcoming change. Ludmila believes that she has the situation under control, but according to this quote, there will be unforeseen consequences to her decisions.
Theme
Right now, I'd have to say that the major theme is probably deciding a fate for yourself and taking action, no matter the cost. Ludmila is leaving everything behind so that she can escape from all the war and hardship that she and her family are experiencing right now. However, she has to give up her family and brave it on her own.
arabesque (21): A complex, ornate design of intertwined floral, foliate, and geometric figures.
maelstrom (15): a restless, disordered, or tumultuous state of affairs.
Figurative Language
"He never fully recovered from the operation. Both sensed that he wouldn't survive that first Christmas. Blair, meanwhile, crackled like gunfire out of Bunny's dominion. He found himself in a world churning with opportunity [...] self-empowerment." (14)
In this passage, DBC Pierre uses a simile to compare the way Blair crackled out of Bunny's dominion to the way gunfire crackles. I believe his choice to use "crackled" and "gunfire" was part of a deliberate attempt to convey how powerful and wild Blair was when he was finally separated from Bunny.
"The mountains threw a shadow beside her, an early consulate of the night." (19)
In this excerpt, Pierre uses a personification to help the reader fully envision the setting by giving the mountains the human ability to throw. Ludmila is preparing to meet with her boyfriend and escape, but right now, she is alone and slightly nervous. It seems like Pierre gave the mountains this quality so it would seem like Ludmila is really not alone.
"An icy gust ran its fingers through her hair, flicked it high around her face, to seem like ravens abducting a cherub. Behind her the sky was a pool getting deeper, though not deep enough to contain her excitement and resolve." (20)
Pierre uses a metaphor to compare the sky to a pool getting deeper, without using like or as. Pierre most likely chose a pool for a comparison so that the reader can get a feel for the setting and visualize the sky as completely blank and dark.
Quote
"Ludmila shook herself into the present, and hurried through the snow to fetch home her grandfather. She wasn't to know things were about to change." (21)
I felt that this quote will be significant coming up because it foreshadows some upcoming change. Ludmila believes that she has the situation under control, but according to this quote, there will be unforeseen consequences to her decisions.
Theme
Right now, I'd have to say that the major theme is probably deciding a fate for yourself and taking action, no matter the cost. Ludmila is leaving everything behind so that she can escape from all the war and hardship that she and her family are experiencing right now. However, she has to give up her family and brave it on her own.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Days of Their Lives Soundtrack post
Athena is, in a sense, the guardian angel of both Telemachus and Odysseus in The Odyssey. She provides divine assistance to both of the men many times, such as when she gathers a crew and boat for Telemachus, or when she, along with Ino, saves Odysseus from Poseidon's wrath. Athena is also very empowered and confident, as she is the main cause behind the gods' mission to save Odysseus. This really interests me, as she seems to have a major role in the progression of the plot and will most likely affect outcomes in the book later on.
One example of Athena's courage and confidence is in Book 2, when she morphs into Telemachus and gathers a boat and crew so he is able to set sail even quicker. "Then bright-eyed Pallas thought of one more step. Disguised as the prince, the goddess roamed through town, pausing beside each likely crewman, giving orders: 'Gather beside our ship at nightfall - be there.' She asked Noemon, Phronius' generous son, to lend her a swift ship. He gladly volunteered" (422-427). This is just one instance where Athena uses her divine assistance to help Telemachus and Odysseus complete their journeys. In addition to helping Telemachus get a ship and crew, Athena also helped Odysseus get to safety after Poseidon ruins his ship in Book 5. "With that threat he (Poseidon) lashed his team with their long flowing mains [...] But Zeus's daughter Athena countered him at once. The rest of the winds she stopped right in their tracks, commanding them all to hush now, go to sleep" (419-423). In this excerpt, Athena protects Odysseus from Poseidon's violent storm, allowing him to reach safety on an island and thus exemplifying her "guardian angel" quality.
For my song, I chose Weezer's My Best Friend. I felt that the lyrics really exemplified Athena's purpose throughout the book: to protect Odysseus and Telemachus. For example in My Best Friend, the following lyrics exemplify Athena's helpful and assistive nature: " When everything is wrong I'll come talk to you / You make things alright when I'm feeling blue/ You are such a blessing and I wont be messing /with the one thing that brings light to all my darkness". These lyrics describe someone of Athena's disposition: an absolute helper that one can turn to in times of trouble. I particularly felt that the line"You make things alright when I'm feeling blue" exemplifies Athena's actions at the beginning of the book, when she inspires Telemachus to be courageous, kick out the suitors, and venture into the sea for his father.
One example of Athena's courage and confidence is in Book 2, when she morphs into Telemachus and gathers a boat and crew so he is able to set sail even quicker. "Then bright-eyed Pallas thought of one more step. Disguised as the prince, the goddess roamed through town, pausing beside each likely crewman, giving orders: 'Gather beside our ship at nightfall - be there.' She asked Noemon, Phronius' generous son, to lend her a swift ship. He gladly volunteered" (422-427). This is just one instance where Athena uses her divine assistance to help Telemachus and Odysseus complete their journeys. In addition to helping Telemachus get a ship and crew, Athena also helped Odysseus get to safety after Poseidon ruins his ship in Book 5. "With that threat he (Poseidon) lashed his team with their long flowing mains [...] But Zeus's daughter Athena countered him at once. The rest of the winds she stopped right in their tracks, commanding them all to hush now, go to sleep" (419-423). In this excerpt, Athena protects Odysseus from Poseidon's violent storm, allowing him to reach safety on an island and thus exemplifying her "guardian angel" quality.
For my song, I chose Weezer's My Best Friend. I felt that the lyrics really exemplified Athena's purpose throughout the book: to protect Odysseus and Telemachus. For example in My Best Friend, the following lyrics exemplify Athena's helpful and assistive nature: " When everything is wrong I'll come talk to you / You make things alright when I'm feeling blue/ You are such a blessing and I wont be messing /with the one thing that brings light to all my darkness". These lyrics describe someone of Athena's disposition: an absolute helper that one can turn to in times of trouble. I particularly felt that the line"You make things alright when I'm feeling blue" exemplifies Athena's actions at the beginning of the book, when she inspires Telemachus to be courageous, kick out the suitors, and venture into the sea for his father.
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