Theme Analysis

Theme Analysis

A Clean Well Lighted Place

A fear of the unknown is a common fear to have with ones self. It is that lingering feeling of nothingness that can overwhelm your spiritual well being. That is why each day is a new day to experience something new, whether it be an obstacle, memory, or life altering encounter. This story has three characters, all of which remain nameless. Two waiters, one of which is older and much wiser, a younger less mature waiter, and a lonely drunk old man. While at the Cafe the two waiters begin talking amongst each other regarding the old man: ‘“Last week he tried to commit suicide,’ one waiter said.”/’“Why?”’/“’He was in despair.” "What about?’""Nothing." ” ‘How do you know it was nothing?’”’“He has plenty of money." if one decides that with “nothing” the waiter refers to intangible yearning, as opposed to referring to bodily or material yearnings “He has plenty of money”. In this case, he exemplifies a stance which does not presume to fathom the mysteries of life. I am a firm believer that of the money in the world could never buy happiness. What it takes to be happy resides in yourself. The fear of humanity and the unknown however is only as evident as you make it.

We Real Cool

When I first read the poem we real cool I felt as though it was a silly simplistic piece of writing. Not very well thought out and did not really have a meaning or moral. But after analyzing each verse and listening to the Author read it aloud, I gained a whole new found respect for it as a piece of literature. In just very few lines identity, morality, and pride is given under a completely different light. It sheds another meaning to life in general and not to take life so serious yet to live as if each day is your last. The seductive rhythm and the use of alliteration and internal rhyme might cause us to feel more sympathetic toward the pool players. Whether or not the pool players might be trying to trick us into celebrating their lifestyle, that is up to the reader to interpret. Taking turns down the wrong path may lead you no where fast and into troubles arms may you fall into. But thats the gamble we take each day.

Andre's Mother by: Terrence McNally

1) The genre of this play is focused around a melodramatic theme. It's ultimately an occurance of significant tragedies all having to do with the main character catching HIV Aids. This particular play consists of a protagonist which also happens to be the victim. After Andre passes away his mother is left to come to terms of his sexuality which had always been kept a secret. His mother left with a new found love for life and friendship with Andre's late partner.



2) The most significant specticle in this play would indefinitely be the balloons Andre's mother had so peacfully ignited into the air after his death. The balloons are tangible assets to the story symbolizing Andre's family coming to terms with his abbreviated life. Ultimately letting go of everything but that love for her son.



3) Although the mother of Andre is extremely significant to the plot of the play. Terrence McNally soley relies on emotions of Cal to develope her character. Through perfect dialogue Terrence enables the reader to visualize Andre's mother without her speaking or acting directly. Furthermore the audience and or readers act as though they are rolling with the motions, accompaning his mother every step of the way. With little to no words at all you are able to understand her postition in this play as she is apart of the meaning, theme, and plot of this story. Her presense was evident through description. "Her silence denotes a sense of denial, the first stage of grief, of her son's... "

We Real Cool, I Felt A Funeral In My Brain, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

We Real Cool
The Pool Players
Seven At The Golden Shovel

After reading this particular poem, I feel bewildered. The title, "We Real Cool" is very precise and doesn't give much of an insight as to what the author is feeling. Almost as though this poem was created to take on a sense of feeling rebelliousness. I feel as if this poem acts as a blessing in disguise, bringing realization to many who may not be traveling down the right path in life. My emotions run empty as I read each verse.



The Inner World
Emily Dickinson

Emotionally I am left with feelings of being overwhelmed. Twisting and turning, falling into an absolute oblivion, I feel my thoughts racing to escape my body. Almost as if I am falling deep into the world of the unknown. My emotions run like tears, and and drop below the surface. The author speaks through pain and feeling of unconciousness. Internally dead to the world.


Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
Dylan Thomas

Passiveness and weakness are one in the same. I get the sense that this poem is a battle over life and death. Great feelings of helplessness and despair are unveiled. It is a fight over the truth about life, death, and the sensational light after all is said and done. The passion of youth is evident in all that you do. No matter how hard you try to cling to the preciousness and beauty of life, death is inescapable.

A Clean Well Lighted Place by: Ernest Hemingway

Part 1
1- The setting takes place in a peacful little country side somewhere where Spanish is spoken quite fluently. The idea of a well lit place is seemingly significant to the story because it represents the "light" in the cafe. The Cafe took on this sort of peaceful escape with its perfectly lit ambiance, it acted as an excape away from the cruelty of the world. The lonely old man used this place as a sacred "get away" to drink his troubles away, alone, and in solitude. Furthermore, the contrasting symbols of darkness and light are used in the story to show the contrast of fear and the feeling of security. A swept away haven for those who are depserately clinging to their dignity.

2- I feel as though the characters remain nameless for the simple fact that they are not the true significance to the story. Without the use of names the conversation between everyone is easier to re-inact and visualize in your mind as you follow along. Hemingways purpose for the short story was to put focus where focus is crucial.

3- Darkness causes fear in some people, the cafe however acted as a perfectly well lit surrounding where those don't have to fear furthermore. The lighting in the cafe is one that was used for people to admit their fears and become one with the fearless. Light acts as a symbol of comfort, security, and togetherness. The old man and the older waiter are afraid of despair, and afraid of the darkness that comes along with. Although the two do not deal with their incarnation the same way, their views on life act as one. The younger waiter however has someone back home, someone who provides a sense of security and companionship. A sense of "light". Each character responds to their fear of nothingness completely different. The three each show possibilities in dealing with their insecurities. Leaving only one, to come up with a positive option for resolutuion.

4-

Exposition/complication-The setting takes place in a quaint spanish speaking town. A majority of the story revolves around a small cafe where the towns people often gather to discuss lifes everyday obsticles and small talk. There are only three characters in this story that remain nameless but play vital roles in "A Clean Well Lighted Place". Character 1: young waiter, character 2: older waiter, character 3: an old rich fellow that is often seen as the town lush. The initial problem in this short story lies in the heart of the cafe during the midst of the night. An old deaf man sits out on the patio enjoying glass after glass of brandy as the cafe is slowly winding down. The young waiter is impatient as the old man is in no rush to leave, rather the waiter insists on closing down before the usual hour. The older waiter insists they keep the cafe open for just a while longer so the old man can enjoy his evening. This is where conflict arises.

Crisis Decision- As the two waiters both very different in age, they seem to share a completely different take on what decision to make. Being the younger waiter, he is naive and selfish. Thinking only of himself. The older waiter uses this time to shed some wisdom and "light" onto the situation. He tries to convince the younger gentleman... "I am one of those who like to stay late at the cafe . . . With all those who do not want to go to bed. With all those who need a light for the night . . . I am reluctant to close up because there may be some one who needs the cafe." Seemingly the younger waiter has nothing left to argue and continues with the decision to close the cafe.

Climax- Where will the old lonely drunken man go? The Cafe closes down and the old man is forced into the lonely darkness. Without a peep he pays his tab and drunkenly strides off into the unknown..dignified yet full of despair. The younger waiter's argument is that there are plenty of bodegas open at this hour,while the older claims that this cafe holds something to peacful and serene. It's clean and well lit, it provides a sense of whole and comfort. "The light is very good and also, now, there are shadows of the leaves." The young waiter has yet to show any signs of fear what so ever, all is right in his world. Without a care in the world, the two waiters seperate just as the old man had done just moments before. The younger rushes home, where is lover awaits him. The older waiter proceeds to another bodega for a night cap where he drinks alone and is left with thoughts of the old man. The older waiter is humble while he does not posess a fear of explaining humanity, but discusses its beyond him. Feeling uncomfotable and unsatisfied, he leaves. It's a touching story between confidence and youth...solitary and despair.

Denouement- “He disliked bars and bodegas. A clean, well-lighted cafe was a very different thing. Now, without thinking further, he went home to his room. He would lie in the bed and finally, with daylight, he would go to sleep. After all, he said to himself, it is probably only insomnia. Many must have it.”

5- If you seek darkness you will forever be seperated from the world, it's only if you look in the right place will you see the light.

Part 2

A fabulous author of life and literature Ernest Hemingway composed many novels and a collection of short stories. His strong influence stemmed from the 1920's where he found his passion for writing throught the world wars. It was then he composed his first novel, "The Sun Also rises". Throughout his lifetime he accomplished a number of famous literature pieces, almost as many as he had wives. From the 1920's-1950's Mr. Hemingways disitnctive writing style touched the hearts of many. Sadly in the summer of 1961 Ernest Hemingway commited suicide. Although some of his work left uncompleted, he is now known to be one of the most amazing authors of American Literature.

James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues” - Research Assignment

#1.

1. "Sonny's Blues" took place Harlem, NYC before the 1960's around the same time as the "Jazz Age". Harlem was and still is considered to remain the ultimate "soul of America". With it's population at an all time increase, people of all color, shape, and size, were brought together by the arts, entertainment, and immense passion for literature. Harlem then began to make a real name for itself which fueled the Harlem Renaissance. It was around that period of time when Harlem was home to the largest number of African American artists and intellects in all of American history from the '20's up until the late '50's.http://www.soulofamerica.com/new-york-city-harlem.phtml

2. The era in which Sonny's Blues took place is what made the emotions of the plot really come to life. New York is the melting pot of soul, and an underground world of diversity thriving just to live. If there was any hard times or struggle to be seen, look no further than Harlem. Because of Sunny's lack of ability to connect with a stable romodel due to his brother being enlisted in the Army. His strong will to survive the harsh streets of the city life weakened, and alcohol and drugs consumed his life. In effect to his drug habits he was sent to prison which began to unravel his musical passion and talents as a singer/song writer.

#2.

1. The history of African American men in the military, Pre-Civil
Rights movement dealt with a lot of discrimination and the denying the eligibility of a certain ethnic groups of people to serve. The denial the right to carry a weapon for and fight for the nation represented to African American men a denial of full civil rights as well as their manhood and manly valor. Lack of full civil rights caused strife for the integration of the American military.

2. Ironically Sunny's decision to enlist in the military shocked his fellow peers as well as the American society. Due to the abundance of caucasion men and strong minded segregation in the Armed forces it was strongly looked down upon. He wanted to make a difference not only for himself but for the african american community.

#3.

1. Billie Holiday, God Bless The Child.

#1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQgzEQhtTm4

2. "You can only rely on yourself and not human nature. People are kind when you have things to offer. If you're down on your luck you'll find out who was with you all along and who wasn't. Empty pockets don't make the grade let me tell you. I've been up and down and now back again and it makes you look at people differently which isn't in my nature but you live and learn. Never think people will treat you as you would treat them if the roles were reversed."

#4.

1. "Bebop borrows elements from both blues and swing music and blends those styles with its own unique sound. Bebop musicians place emphasis on the role of the rhythm section. Complex melodies and chord progressions, experimenting with the placement of accents of melodies, discordant sounds, use of the flatted fifth note, fast tempos, and unconventional chromaticism are all characteristics of this genre. Irregular phrasing and use of the walking bass are other common elements of this type of jazz.

Bebop is meant to be listened to rather than danced to. This type of music offers a more personal, eccentric sound than earlier styles of jazz, and engulfs listeners in an existential mood. With the advent of bebop music, jazz became music for the elite rather than music for the masses. This style of jazz became associated with intellectuals and intellectualism."

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-bebop-music.htm

2. Bebop is a representation of "rebirth" in Sonny's eyes. Although controversy among his family lead to problems deeper than the surface, Sunny kept his mind clear and his heart strong. His perserverance was what made this story so touching and surreal, jazz music just acted as an outlet for his emotions. His talent and love of the music prohibited his temptations to get in the way of his life, ultimately saving him.