Alan Moore

Alan Moore’s  graphic novel “ Light of Thy Countenance” brings up the question of how we define literature.   Moore’s comic book is considered to be non-literature for many people mostly because they believe it is to simple or elementary. I feel that Moore’s comic is considered literature.   In the beginning of the course, we gave certain characteristics that may help us define literature.   I feel that most of these characteristics pertain and are evident in Moore’s comic book.  

Similar to any other form of literature whether it is a novel or a short story, Moore’s comic book is read with the same process of noticing, questioning, and formulation of a hypothesis.   It can be said that we question who Maureen Cooper really is, notice the elements of the supernatural, and formulate that Cooper is indeed a spirit of the TV.  This process is the same process that would be used to analyze any other novel.  Like any other novel, there are four components in the comic book that signify that it is literature. They are text/context and reader/context comparisons. It can be said that the comic book style text relates to the context in which it was written as well as the reader’s experience (religion, race, culture) in context to our current time period.  

In my opinion, the definition of literature as becomes too narrow-minded.   Many scholarly authors say that literature has to have a deeper meaning or that it must use certain literary techniques that enhance the style of writing.   I believe that what defines literature ultimately depends on the reader.    On the first day of class we toke notes on how literature has the ability to enrich life, serve as an escape from reality, and relieve stress.  I feel that as long as the piece of work that is being read serves one of these purposes it can be defined as literature.    I believe that we should be broadening our minds with more unique styles and forms of literature such as Moore’s comic book.  I think many people who believe Moore’s comic book is not literature are simply too narrow-minded in the way they perceive and analyze text.   

M Butterfly

Throughout the play “ M Butterfly”, evidence of racial and gender inferiority is seen.   The poem explores the aspects of the relationship between race and gender in the eyes both Western and Eastern cultures. The author is keen on the stereotypes that are affiliated with both cultures.  The Western cultures believe that “ oriental countries and women are submissive” and “ feminine”, while eastern cultures believe that western cultures are “ rude”, “ foreign” “ and “ masculine”.    Gallimard and his wife are critical of China’s “ antiquity” and “ arrogance” , while Song and Comrade Chin are critical of  France’s selfishness and intolerance.   These conflicting stereotypes provide us with reasoning on why there is such ambiguity between the two cultures and give us further insight on the relationship between Gallimard and Song.   The two constantly find themselves in conflict due to the difference in idea of race and gender.   Song, knowing that her culture looks down on western culture ideology, constantly finds herself debating on whether she/he should be with Gallimard. Furthermore Gallimard, also knowing about his own culture’s stereotypes and claims about China, also debates on whether he should pursue Song.     Along with racial differences, gender differences also exist between the two cultures.    The main difference between genders pertaining to the two cultures is the treatment of women. The stereotype towards the treatment of women in China is that it is ok to treat women poorly. This is seen on pg. 6 when Pinkerton states “ Not like American girls… They want to be treated bad!.” This quote shows how people are influenced by the stereotypes that they learn in their home countries. 

This themes of racial and gender throughout the play remind us of the difference in cultures.  The play reminds us that there is a fundamental difference between gender and race between western and eastern cultures.  I believe that David Hwang is also trying to remind the audience of the play to have an open perspective on the differences.  The characters in the play did not have an open perspective and were already hypnotized by stereotypes, thus leading to the many conflicts and arguments.   Hwang tries to remind his readers to keep an open mind and to try to understand and appreciate cultures rather then stereotype and ridicule them. 

Globalization

            Globalization is a reoccurring theme throughout William Gibson’s “ Pattern Recognition.”  Globalization, which is the spread of interactions between cultures, is not only a theme within the book but also corresponds and relates to our current society.  In the novel, Gibson provides evidence of multiple societies that have experienced globalization.  An important piece of evidence that show how globalization has occurred is the reoccurring global cities in the novel.  The novel takes place in many different global cities such as Tokyo, London, and Moscow.  These cities represent a pattern of worldwide globalization that has occurred.  

              Cayce’s journey to these global cities shows the impact globalization has had on different societies.  Evidence of globalization is seen when Cayce’s visits Japan and the first thing she sees is “ the Coca cola logo pulsing on a huge screen. “ This shows that because of globalization, every country has the same global products such as Coca Cola.  These big name companies and industries are an example of the effects that mass globalization has had.  The main effect is the shift from countries being diverse and unique to their own culture to one where there is a monoculture and singularity. This singularity in culture is seen when Cayce visits Tokyo. Cayce who stays at the globalized hotel chain, Hyatt, visits other areas of Japan and realizes how things have changed.  Cayce describes the city of Shinjuku to being a red-light district full of a new generation of Japanese youth.  The red-light district and the upcoming generation of Japan show how the culture of the once traditional country of Japan has diminished because of globalization.

            Other evidence supporting the theme of globalization is the idea within the novel that we no longer live in a world without borders.  Gibson gives the idea that globalization has created a virtually borderless world.  This borderless world is a consequence of the singularity of cultures and traditions.   Before the effects of globalization were seen, countries would want to keep their traditions and cultures within the country.  Countries such as Japan resisted change and even went through a period of isolationism.  Gibson comments on the change that countries went through. No longer do countries want to be isolated but instead they want globalization.  Countries now desire to have the latest technological advances and big corporations.  This is seen in the novel by the many similarities that the cities of Moscow, London, and Tokyo had such as the big name corporations of Starbucks and Prada.   Within these cities, the citizens are also aware of globalization. In Moscow, Stella states in response to Cayce that the city “ Is new for us. Everyday, now.”    It is clear that Stella along with other characters are still adjusting to living in a world where borders don’t exist.  The concept of globalization whether beneficial towards society or not, remains a key issue for our changing world.  

Globalization is a reoccurring theme in “ Pattern Recognition”.  Cayce Pollard . the main character of  the book , is especially keen on recognizing the mass globalization that has occurred throughout the world.   Gibson uses the characterization of Cayce in order to comment on how mass globalization has become evident in virtually every country. The novel includes many big name companies that can be easily recognized by anyone such as the Michelin Man and Starbucks.   Gibson comments on the effects globalizations have had on cultures and societies. Societies are experiencing a “ monoculture” effect due to globalization creating a singular culture.  Every country, even those that are industrialized such as Japan and England, has become victim of globalization.  Furthermore this globalization has led to the demise of many local traditional cultures.  This is evident when Cayce goes to Boone Chu’s friend’s apartment in Japan. Cayce is amazed at the beauty of the apartment but finds that it is one of the last of its kind.

            Throughout "Pattern Recognition" evidence of a post-9/11 civilization are evident.  Gibson’s novel seems to comment on how society has changed after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.   Throughout the text, Cayce Pollard flashbacks to 9/11, not only because her father went missing on that day, but because Gibson seems to be commenting on the way society has changed after 9/11.   Gibson comments on how our society has since drastically changed since the 9/11 attacks.  Since the attacks, the United States has been on a slow decline and in a constant state of ambiguity.  This uncertainly arises from the fact that the United States, the leading country of the world, was attacked by a small group of terrorist. This attack  knocked off the balance that was already set in place by the United States.   Before the attack, the US had not experienced any major homeland security threat. The novel seems to comment on how post-9/11 societies are now experiencing more discrimination, censorship, and suspicion. Never before had there been an attack on the U.S of this much stature.  As a result of the attacks, societies and cultures have changed.  

" A Rose For Emily"

                If “ A Rose for Emily” were written in a different point of view, then many aspects of the story would change.  For example, if the point of view were told from the perspective of Tobe, the servant for Emily, then the story would focus more on Ms. Emily’s life rather then opinions of what the town people believed her life to be.    A first person singular point of view from Tobe would expand the reader’s knowledge towards the mysterious life of Emily. The reader would have a better understanding of certain events in Emily’s life such as her connections with Colonel Sartoris or why she killed Homer. The change to a singular point of view would also change the structure of the story. Instead of the reader having to figure out and interpret the story like a mystery, the ending would be expected.  However, the point of view of Tobe could also create a storyline similar to the original.  Tobe, like the rest of the town’s citizens, may have been just as uninformed and curious as to who Emily really is. He may simply be a worker, whose feelings may be just as ambiguous towards Emily as others in the town. 

It is also possible that Tobe’s point of view may simply have just told the reader about his own personal struggles of being an African American during the Old South.  The story would follow his life and Emily’s ordeals may just be a small part of it. The shift in point of view would also create some minor changes to the story. Tobe, being an African American living in the South during a time where racism was evident, wouldn’t use the same slang and derogative terms that the white citizens of the town did. Tobe’s perspective of the white citizens of the town would also impact the storyline.  The poems themes may of shifted towards different ones such as racism or hate.

" All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace."

           

Richard Brautigan’s poem “ All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace,” shows how technology has doomed our society.   The poem discusses how technology has negatively impacted our daily lives by interfering with nature’s already occurring processes.  Brautigan comments on how functions of nature, such as the mammals and trees, have been disrupted by the presence of a “ cybernetic” technology.  The word cybernetic, meaning the structure or regulation of a system, conveys the image that our modern technology has taken over or surpassed the already set systems of nature.  Within the third stanza, the words “ cybernetic ecology” are placed together emphasizing that are whole ecology is cybernetic.  The beginning of every stanza begins with the same repetitive line “ I like to think.”  This emphasizes that that the poet would like to think of  “deer strolling peacefully past computers,” but realizes that this is not the case in our modern world.  

Brautigan’s poem also can be interpreted as a case for pro-technology.   Brautigan envisions a time where technology has made possible “ cybernetic meadows where mammals and computers live together in harmony.”  The poem implies that instead of fearing technology’s powers, we should embrace it and rather use it as a way to connect nature with it.  Within the poem, nature is put side to side with technology, “ pines and electronics” or “ deer and computers.” This illustrates that rather then nature being separate from technology; they are side-by-side and of equal importance in our world. Although this almost symbiotic relationship that Brautigan envisions hasn’t yet occurred, the mood of the poem conveys optimism that these events will occur.   This optimism is seen within each stanza in parentheses, “ ( and sooner the better) ,( right now please!), and ( it has to be !),” showing the poets desire and hope for technology to fuse alongside with nature. 

In the context of the poem, pro-technology seems to be the better interpretation of what Brautigan is trying to illustrate.  The poem never mentions how technology has created an over powerful machine that destroys the natural world. Rather in every instance of the poem, technology and nature are equally incorporated as a pair.  Brautigan shows that the two are equally important aspects of this world. 

"Design"

 white, spider, heal-all, "darkness", moth, creation , evolution vs creation, belief, nature, more white ?, witches broth, designed death, wayside blue heal all , small scenario , perfect design

In Robert’s Frost’s “ Design”, imagery is incorporated throughout the poem to help ponder the thought of design through a creator. The three most striking images that Frost applies in his poem seem to be the spider, moth, and heal-all.  These images are used throughout the poem to interpret Frost’s uncertainty of whether all three of these objects were placed where they were by design or by natural causes.

A large part of this uncertainty occurs due to the fact that all three of these images are of the color white.  Frost wonders how it is possible that a white (normally blue) heal-all plant attracted a white spider, which in turn attracted a white moth . Traditionally, the color white represents light, salvation, innocence, and purity, but in the context of the poem the color white is the harbinger of death (moth) and static.  This paradox coincides with Frost’s questioning on whether this encounter is of design or merely incidental. Did the creator of these three things really mean for these events to occur?  Further questioning emerges towards the end of the poem when Frost asks “What brought the kindred spider to that height, then steered the white moth thither in the night?”  

Furthermore Frost’s uses these images to question whether there is design in such small places. The use of small images (spider, moth, heal-all) helps bring more speculation on whether these seemingly miniscule objects also obtain a set of formal design. By incorporating smaller images, Frost’s begs the reader to question, whether the so-called designer also takes note of the small details in life such as the spider and moth. If Frost were to use the images of a tree, bird, and squirrel, the question on whether design is possible would seem irrelevant due to these being more ordinary occurrences. 

The last line of the poem “ If design govern in things so small”, demonstrates Frost’s uncertainty towards the answer he trying to find.  In my opinion, Frost seems to be agreeing to the fact that the incident between the three objects occurred by design, but does not know why and how it occurred.  Frost seems to also propose that although there may be an ultimate designer, this designer may not know be all loving and may in fact be a designer of darkness.