Great Pip

In the Introduction to my Barnes & Noble Classics version of Great Expectations, writer Radhika Jones talks about the perhaps autobiographical elements present in the novel. These connections in the introduction are useful to a reader who is unfamiliar with Charles Dickens and his writing, like me. I am contemplating this is a topic for my paper. After all, Pip is easily the most likable character in the story. Once we meet Pip, we immediately become friends with and sympathetic for him. His sister’s treatment of both him and Joe draws pity for the two characters. Also, Pip’s childish naiveté is charming he has a way of inadvertently doing and saying things that make him exponentially cuter. As I finish my reading, I hope I am able to continue to see this trait in Pip.

Part III of Hamlet

What is odd about the Ghost’s appearance to Hamlet in the Queen’s bedroom?

First, the purpose of the ghost is peculiar. Previously, he always comes with a purpose of either looking for or informing Hamlet. However, now he seems to be reminding Hamlet of his duty. This is happening while Hamlet chastises his mother for her actions. If anything, the Ghost should be happy with what his son is doing, since he is “revenging” the deeds of his mother by making her feel guilty. Also, Hamlet does not need a reminder about killing his stepfather. He is perhaps as motivated, if not more, to avenge his father’s murderer as his father is. Next, the visibility of the Ghost is strange. Earlier in the play, Bernardo and Francisco easily see him, for example. However, the Queen, the very wife of the dead Hamlet, is unable to see him.

How Sophocles Made "Oedipus" Interesting

Since most of his contemporaries had heard the story, Sophocles had to craft the story in such a way to facilitate its entertainment value. However, since his audience only knew an abridged version from the “Odyssey,” he was able to embellish it. The story of Oedipus is, of course, a very unique, entertaining one; therefore, Sophocles’ job became telling it in a way to most effectively utilize its interesting plot. He does this by making the play very emotional and taking advantage of his viewers’ knowledge of the story.

Oedipus’s refusal to accept his guilt serves to reinforce the dramatic irony in the story. Initially, Oedipus is making threats upon the killer to the priest. His repeated calls for the death of the murdered of Laios has a comical effect, for a viewer who already knows the ending. Then, the arrival of Teiresias starts the process of getting the truth. And Oedipus adamantly refuses to listen to Teiresias. He says, “Say what you will. Whatever you say is worthless.” Then, his stubborn rejection turns into disrespect. He starts brazenly insulting Teiresias by mocking his age and blindness. The dramatic irony here is entertaining because the viewer knows that Oedipus is only setting himself up for a greater shock. And if one did not know better, one might start questioning the outcome of the story based on Oedipus’s conviction about his innocence.

Sophocles is able to create a lot of suspense before the revelation about Laios’s true manner of death. At first, Teiresias and Oedipus are just arguing in the abstract. Then, the messenger starts the process of implanting suspicion about the truth in Oedipus’s mind. However, the shepherd that is summoned to the scene gives the conclusive testimony about the murder of Laios. There is a substantial time delay before he makes his presence; the truth is revealed during the middle of the fourth scene of the play. To the viewer, all of this drama would have been unfolding for many minuted. During this time, Oedipus is in a state of confusion and quite scared because of the implications that are hinged on this information.

Then, the audience begins to pity Oedipus, despite his abominable deed. First, the death of Iocaste cements the reality of the situation. Her manner of death, and how Oedipus reacts upon seeing his dead mother, evokes sympathy for the plight of the family and the family’s abrupt fall from grace. Next, Oedipus’s reaction is also sad. He first laments his birth: “ If only I had died,/This weight of monstrous doom/ Could not have dragged me and my darlings down.” The juxtaposition of this statement coupled with the knowledge of his “true” birth is depressing because it shows how truly "unlucky" Oedipus is. Next, Oedipus’s justification for making himself blind is an emotional one. The topic of the kids is broached and Oedipus remarks that cannot bear to see his own children anymore, which is possibly the worst punishment for a parent, considering what he did.

Sophocles is able to make the otherwise generic story of Oedipus very gripping through his thoughtful additions in terms of plot and dialogue. He also uses the structure of plays to highlight some of the things he does with the plot.

White Lies

I don’t care if my mom wants to wash my mouth with soap. I like it better this way, not having to tell who I really am. Taylor and Susie fascinate me. Their lives are so much more interesting. Plus, I don’t like any of my colored classmates any way.

…

I’m glad Natasha is in our class. I don’t like being with all of THEM with only Taylor. Taylor is too shy. Natasha she seems nice enough. We always eat lunch together, the three of us, in the corner of the schoolyard. We usually just talk amongst ourselves. Come to think of it, Natasha never talks about herself. She is always asking us questions about our lives or families. And she’s determined in her questioning too. After school, whenever we go to someone’s house, it’s always either mine of Taylor’s. I wonder why Natasha never invites us?

I have decided to find out more about Natasha. After all, the three of us need to stay together. However, I am growing suspicious of her. Whenever I ask her a question about her life, she seems to always pause before answering. And a lot of what she talks about seems fake. I’ve never been to her house. Actually, I haven’t ever even seen her parents. But I’m probably just being unreasonable.

It is Friday today. I tell my mom that I will be coming home late today, since I want to go home with Natasha. After school, I tell Natasha that I want to go home with her:

Natasha: “You can’t come with me; I really can’t have anyone over today.”
Me: “Why not? It’s the last day of school. You can’t have anywhere else to be.”
Natasha: “ Uhh…actually I’m not going home today. I have to visit my father at work.”
Me: “I can’t come with too? I won’t be any trouble. And I already told my mom that I wasn’t coming home.”
Natasha: “No, he’ll get really mad. I’ve gotta go now.”

Natasha left that day and was never seen again…