APO 96225
Larry Rottman
In APO 96225, Rottman describes how people like to be kept in the dark about particular topics regarding their surroundings. When reality becomes painful to accept, people like to be unaware of reality. However, when things are going well in the world, people like to be a part of the good that is happening. As a son is writing his family while he is at war, he describes the spectacular sunsets and the "funny monkeys"(Rottman, 846). The fact that the son is only speaking of the carefree happenings at war indicate that he does not want to ruin his family's lives with the painful reality of war. He wants his family to stay happy, but his family insists that their son tell them everything that is happening where he is located. He then speaks of how he killed a woman and her child. The family then replies with a complaint that his letters are too depressing. This proves that unless people hear what they want to hear, then they will undoubtedly be unhappy. It will be impossible to keep everyone happy with the reality of the world in which people live.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Alienation Unit 4
Much Madness is divinest Sense
Emily Dickinson
Much Madness is divinest Sense is a poem in which Dickinson speaks of the little occurence of differing, accepted opinions in society. Dickinson speaks of how the majority seems to rule in almost every instance. "Demur-you're straightway dangerous-and handled with a Chain-"(Dickinson, 830). This quote from the poem is saying that whenever anyone begins to follow their own opinion, they are quickly guided back with the majority. I feel as though Dickinson has a slight bitter resentment for society. I feel as though she thinks that society is trying to keep everyone's opinion in uniformity with all of the other opinons. If someone were to think unconventionally, then their thoughts would immediately be shut down by higher authorities that control the majority's accepted thoughts. This poem reminded me a little bit of Ayn Rand's Anthem. This story, like Much Madness is divinest Sense, shows society trying to control the thoughts and actions of each and every individual. It seems as though each person cannot be capable of forming their own acceptable thoughts. Each person must have their thoughts and opinions approved by the majority.
Emily Dickinson
Much Madness is divinest Sense is a poem in which Dickinson speaks of the little occurence of differing, accepted opinions in society. Dickinson speaks of how the majority seems to rule in almost every instance. "Demur-you're straightway dangerous-and handled with a Chain-"(Dickinson, 830). This quote from the poem is saying that whenever anyone begins to follow their own opinion, they are quickly guided back with the majority. I feel as though Dickinson has a slight bitter resentment for society. I feel as though she thinks that society is trying to keep everyone's opinion in uniformity with all of the other opinons. If someone were to think unconventionally, then their thoughts would immediately be shut down by higher authorities that control the majority's accepted thoughts. This poem reminded me a little bit of Ayn Rand's Anthem. This story, like Much Madness is divinest Sense, shows society trying to control the thoughts and actions of each and every individual. It seems as though each person cannot be capable of forming their own acceptable thoughts. Each person must have their thoughts and opinions approved by the majority.
Alienation Unit 3
Bartelby, the Scrivener
Herman Melville
In Bartelby, the Scrivener, Melville tells the story in an interesting way. Melville uses the literary technique of having a narrator in the story. I believe that the use of a narrator helps add meaning to the work because as a reader, I was able to get a better feel for what was actually happening in regard to the law firm. He begins by having the narrator, an old lawyer, speak of each of his scriveners before he speaks of Bartelby. I believe that narrator mentions each of the other scriveners before Bartelby because he soon indicates that each of the other scriveners were not as good as Bartelby. The other scriveners all had more downfalls in their personalities and way of work opposed to Bartelby. Bartelby's work is described almost as a robot by the narrator. "He ran a day and night line, copuing by sunlight and by candlelight. I should have been quite delighted with his application had he been cheerfully industrious. But he worte on silently, palely,mechanically"(Melville, 649). This sentence shows the narrator's first-hand view of Bartelby's work ethic. The fact that first-person narration is taking place allows for there to be one, distinct point of view being conveyed throughout the entire story.
Herman Melville
In Bartelby, the Scrivener, Melville tells the story in an interesting way. Melville uses the literary technique of having a narrator in the story. I believe that the use of a narrator helps add meaning to the work because as a reader, I was able to get a better feel for what was actually happening in regard to the law firm. He begins by having the narrator, an old lawyer, speak of each of his scriveners before he speaks of Bartelby. I believe that narrator mentions each of the other scriveners before Bartelby because he soon indicates that each of the other scriveners were not as good as Bartelby. The other scriveners all had more downfalls in their personalities and way of work opposed to Bartelby. Bartelby's work is described almost as a robot by the narrator. "He ran a day and night line, copuing by sunlight and by candlelight. I should have been quite delighted with his application had he been cheerfully industrious. But he worte on silently, palely,mechanically"(Melville, 649). This sentence shows the narrator's first-hand view of Bartelby's work ethic. The fact that first-person narration is taking place allows for there to be one, distinct point of view being conveyed throughout the entire story.
Alienation Unit 2
Miss Brill
Katherine Mansfield
A literary technique used in Miss Brill would be the literary technique of characterization. Ms. Brill's characteristic qualities are revealed throughout the story. Some of this characterization is direct and indirect. I would characterize Ms. Brill as an older woman who is a little bit peculiar, alone, and observant. "She had become really quite expert, she thought, at listening as though she didn't listen, at sitting in other people's lives just for a minute while they talked round her"(Mansfield, 183). This sentence from the story really characterizes Ms. Brill as an observer. At the same time, I could not help but feel bad for Ms. Brill. I get the sense that all of her life, she has been an outsider. She has always taken such a fascination and interest in everyone's lives around her. However, I feel as though those same people do not pay nearly as much attention to Ms. Brill's life. Ms. Brill could go missing and I do not think very many people would notice her disappearance.
Katherine Mansfield
A literary technique used in Miss Brill would be the literary technique of characterization. Ms. Brill's characteristic qualities are revealed throughout the story. Some of this characterization is direct and indirect. I would characterize Ms. Brill as an older woman who is a little bit peculiar, alone, and observant. "She had become really quite expert, she thought, at listening as though she didn't listen, at sitting in other people's lives just for a minute while they talked round her"(Mansfield, 183). This sentence from the story really characterizes Ms. Brill as an observer. At the same time, I could not help but feel bad for Ms. Brill. I get the sense that all of her life, she has been an outsider. She has always taken such a fascination and interest in everyone's lives around her. However, I feel as though those same people do not pay nearly as much attention to Ms. Brill's life. Ms. Brill could go missing and I do not think very many people would notice her disappearance.
Alienation Unit 1
Miss Brill
Katherine Mansfield
One important literary technique used in Miss Brill is the technique of setting. Mansfield does a nice job of keeping the setting somewhat unknown to the reader. I felt as though I could tell that the setting was somewhere that was somewhat public, but I could not figure out many more specifics beyond that. "To and fro, in front of the flower beds and the band rotunda, the couples and groups paraded, stopped to talk, to greet, to buy a handful of flowers from the old beggar who had his tray fixed to the railings"(Mansfield, 183). This quote indicates that Mrs. Brill's location is somewhere that is in the open. She is able to observe everything that is going on around her. I feel as though Mrs.Brill enjoys watching everyone's happenings more than she enjoys actually being a part of them herself. The setting is important in indicating that Mrs. Brill enjoys surrounding herself with activity. I was a little bit confused as to where specifically the setting took place. However, I feel as though the setting a bit ironic because Mrs. Brill is amidst a great deal of activity and yet she is just sitting in solitude watching everything happen around her.
Katherine Mansfield
One important literary technique used in Miss Brill is the technique of setting. Mansfield does a nice job of keeping the setting somewhat unknown to the reader. I felt as though I could tell that the setting was somewhere that was somewhat public, but I could not figure out many more specifics beyond that. "To and fro, in front of the flower beds and the band rotunda, the couples and groups paraded, stopped to talk, to greet, to buy a handful of flowers from the old beggar who had his tray fixed to the railings"(Mansfield, 183). This quote indicates that Mrs. Brill's location is somewhere that is in the open. She is able to observe everything that is going on around her. I feel as though Mrs.Brill enjoys watching everyone's happenings more than she enjoys actually being a part of them herself. The setting is important in indicating that Mrs. Brill enjoys surrounding herself with activity. I was a little bit confused as to where specifically the setting took place. However, I feel as though the setting a bit ironic because Mrs. Brill is amidst a great deal of activity and yet she is just sitting in solitude watching everything happen around her.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Death Unit 5
Death, be not proud
John Donne
Donne's Death, be not proud is an example of the literary term, apostrophe. This poem is directly addressing "death." The speaker is humbling death slightly. Everyone is affected greatly whenever death becomes a part of their life. The speaker is saying, "Death, be not proud, though some have called thee mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so..."(Donne, 971). Even though people think that death is powerful thing, the speaker is telling "death" otherwise. The speaker wants to make it clear that "death" is not as powerful as he thinks he is. Though death is something that is unavoidable, the speaker wants for everyone to not let the deaths of others get us down too much. He wants us to focus on other things instead of directing so much attention toward something so dark and negative. Fate is something that no human can control and death is included in each person's fate.
John Donne
Donne's Death, be not proud is an example of the literary term, apostrophe. This poem is directly addressing "death." The speaker is humbling death slightly. Everyone is affected greatly whenever death becomes a part of their life. The speaker is saying, "Death, be not proud, though some have called thee mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so..."(Donne, 971). Even though people think that death is powerful thing, the speaker is telling "death" otherwise. The speaker wants to make it clear that "death" is not as powerful as he thinks he is. Though death is something that is unavoidable, the speaker wants for everyone to not let the deaths of others get us down too much. He wants us to focus on other things instead of directing so much attention toward something so dark and negative. Fate is something that no human can control and death is included in each person's fate.
Death Unit 4
Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night
Dylan Thomas
Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night is a poem that Thomas wrote about how death, in itself, is extremely unfair. He made the point to address each different type of man in telling him that he cannot avoid death. However, he also made note of the fact that men will realize all of the mistakes in their lives when it is too late to correct them. He says men will "learn, too late, they grieved it on its way..."(Thomas, 968). He addresses the wise men, the good men, the wild men, and the grave men. I believe that he addresses a wide variety of people to show that everyone will die and it is unavoidable. The speaker's message is to not let death take us quietly. I believe that part of the theme of the poem is that one could live their life however they would like to, but the end result will still be death. The speaker is advising us to catch pur mistakes before it is too late to do anything about it. I believe that the sole message of this poem is that death is an unavoidable end that almost undoubtedly cannot be justified.
Dylan Thomas
Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night is a poem that Thomas wrote about how death, in itself, is extremely unfair. He made the point to address each different type of man in telling him that he cannot avoid death. However, he also made note of the fact that men will realize all of the mistakes in their lives when it is too late to correct them. He says men will "learn, too late, they grieved it on its way..."(Thomas, 968). He addresses the wise men, the good men, the wild men, and the grave men. I believe that he addresses a wide variety of people to show that everyone will die and it is unavoidable. The speaker's message is to not let death take us quietly. I believe that part of the theme of the poem is that one could live their life however they would like to, but the end result will still be death. The speaker is advising us to catch pur mistakes before it is too late to do anything about it. I believe that the sole message of this poem is that death is an unavoidable end that almost undoubtedly cannot be justified.
Death Unit 3
The Lottery
Shirley Jackson
In The Lottery, Shirley Jackson introduces the reader to different characters. One of these characters is introduced early on in the story. The literary technique being used is the use of a static character. Mr. Summers is a static character in The Lottery. At the beginning of the story, he is introduced as the man who runs all of the civic activities in the town. However, he does not come to be any sort of hero by any means by the end of the story. In fact, everyone in the town still views him as the lottery caller at the end of the story. "He was a round-faced, jovial man and he ran the coal business, and people were sorry for him, because he had no children and his wife was a scold"(Jackson, 264). Here, Mr. Summers is described as a typical man who has no characteristics that set him apart from any typical man. In a way, static chracters sort of fly under the radar throughout the stories in which they are presented. Mr. Summers most definitely is a static charcter in The Lottery because of his lack of change throughout the story.
Shirley Jackson
In The Lottery, Shirley Jackson introduces the reader to different characters. One of these characters is introduced early on in the story. The literary technique being used is the use of a static character. Mr. Summers is a static character in The Lottery. At the beginning of the story, he is introduced as the man who runs all of the civic activities in the town. However, he does not come to be any sort of hero by any means by the end of the story. In fact, everyone in the town still views him as the lottery caller at the end of the story. "He was a round-faced, jovial man and he ran the coal business, and people were sorry for him, because he had no children and his wife was a scold"(Jackson, 264). Here, Mr. Summers is described as a typical man who has no characteristics that set him apart from any typical man. In a way, static chracters sort of fly under the radar throughout the stories in which they are presented. Mr. Summers most definitely is a static charcter in The Lottery because of his lack of change throughout the story.
Death Unit 2
A Rose for Emily
William Faulkner
In A Rose for Emily, the literary term, round character, was made apparent by Faulkner. Emily proved to quite the round character. The speaker seemed to know bits and pieces of Emily's life and aspects of her life, but never anything about her life in its entirity. "Our whole town went to her funeral...mostly out of curiousity..."(Faulkner, 281). This quote shows how very little was known about Emily. The fact that no one was quite sure about Emily's life means that her character was somewhat complex. Therefore, I believe that Emily Grierson was a round character. She also went through physical changes. In her early years, she was beautiful and thin, but after a few years, she became obese and her hair became gray. Due to the hardships in her life, she aged more quickly. The gray stood for Emily's expedited aging. Though there were very few specific characters in the story, Emiy's round character contributed to the story's theme of the complexity of death.
William Faulkner
In A Rose for Emily, the literary term, round character, was made apparent by Faulkner. Emily proved to quite the round character. The speaker seemed to know bits and pieces of Emily's life and aspects of her life, but never anything about her life in its entirity. "Our whole town went to her funeral...mostly out of curiousity..."(Faulkner, 281). This quote shows how very little was known about Emily. The fact that no one was quite sure about Emily's life means that her character was somewhat complex. Therefore, I believe that Emily Grierson was a round character. She also went through physical changes. In her early years, she was beautiful and thin, but after a few years, she became obese and her hair became gray. Due to the hardships in her life, she aged more quickly. The gray stood for Emily's expedited aging. Though there were very few specific characters in the story, Emiy's round character contributed to the story's theme of the complexity of death.
Death Unit 1
The Lottery
Shirley Jackson
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson definitely proved to be an ironic story. As I read The Lottery, I was anticipating the actual lottery itself to be something that everyone looked forward. However, everyone is just extremely anxious for the results of the lottery because no one particularly would like to win. Earlier in the story, the lottery was associated with other joyful happenings in the town. "The lottery-was conducted-as were the square dances, the teenage club, the Halloween program..."(Jackson, 264). The fact that the lottery was placed in the same sentence as square dancing made me think that the lottery was something happy that went on each year. Thinking that the lottery was a joyful event would an example of situational irony. Typically, I associate the lottery with winning something. However, in this story, winning the lottery means winning an sooner-than-anticiapted death sentence. Dying is ironically placed on the same level as winning a lottery, which I felt to be a little bit twisted. I was surprised by the ending, but the ending itself was not particularly happy by any means.
Shirley Jackson
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson definitely proved to be an ironic story. As I read The Lottery, I was anticipating the actual lottery itself to be something that everyone looked forward. However, everyone is just extremely anxious for the results of the lottery because no one particularly would like to win. Earlier in the story, the lottery was associated with other joyful happenings in the town. "The lottery-was conducted-as were the square dances, the teenage club, the Halloween program..."(Jackson, 264). The fact that the lottery was placed in the same sentence as square dancing made me think that the lottery was something happy that went on each year. Thinking that the lottery was a joyful event would an example of situational irony. Typically, I associate the lottery with winning something. However, in this story, winning the lottery means winning an sooner-than-anticiapted death sentence. Dying is ironically placed on the same level as winning a lottery, which I felt to be a little bit twisted. I was surprised by the ending, but the ending itself was not particularly happy by any means.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
The Glass Menagerie 5
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
Williams made Tom an extremely relatable character in The Glass Menagerie. He, like many people, feel trapped in their own lives. Tom strives to have adventure in his life. He wants to have a thrilling factor in his mediocre life of providing for his ungrateful mother. Frequently, Tom attends the movies. He justifies going to the movies often because he likes the adventure. He says that "adventure is something I don't have much of at work..."(Williams, 1252). Since Tom cannot get action and adventure in his own life, he frequents the movie theatre to vicariously live throught the adventurous characters in the movies. Part of the reason that Tom admires his father is because his father went out to go achieve the adventure he wanted to achieve. I feel as though the only thing holding Tom back from pursuing that adventure is Laura. Even though Tom quarells with Amanda frequently, he cares about Laura. If Tom could find some way to provide a nice life for Laura, then he would be out searching for adventure.
Tennessee Williams
Williams made Tom an extremely relatable character in The Glass Menagerie. He, like many people, feel trapped in their own lives. Tom strives to have adventure in his life. He wants to have a thrilling factor in his mediocre life of providing for his ungrateful mother. Frequently, Tom attends the movies. He justifies going to the movies often because he likes the adventure. He says that "adventure is something I don't have much of at work..."(Williams, 1252). Since Tom cannot get action and adventure in his own life, he frequents the movie theatre to vicariously live throught the adventurous characters in the movies. Part of the reason that Tom admires his father is because his father went out to go achieve the adventure he wanted to achieve. I feel as though the only thing holding Tom back from pursuing that adventure is Laura. Even though Tom quarells with Amanda frequently, he cares about Laura. If Tom could find some way to provide a nice life for Laura, then he would be out searching for adventure.
The Glass Menagerie 4
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
One common occurence throughout The Glass Menagerie is Amanda's constant reliving of her glory days. Williams has Amanda relive her enjoyable days constantly throughout the story. When Amanada is stressing how important it is for Laura to have gentlemen callers, Amanda starts to reminisce on her days of many gentlemen callers. Amanda says to Laura that "one Sunday afternoon in Blue Mountain- your mother received- seventeen!-gentlemen callers"(Williams, 1238).
I believe that part of the reason that Amanda spends so much time reliving her glory days is because she is somewhat displeased with her current life. Her life consists of having to depend on her son, Tom, for financial support. She also spends a great deal of time trying to help Laura make something of herself. However, she is only concerned with her children's well-being as it pertains to herself. For exampe, she wants Tom to have work so that he can provide for her. I feel as though the only way that she can find happiness is through her youthful days.
Tennessee Williams
One common occurence throughout The Glass Menagerie is Amanda's constant reliving of her glory days. Williams has Amanda relive her enjoyable days constantly throughout the story. When Amanada is stressing how important it is for Laura to have gentlemen callers, Amanda starts to reminisce on her days of many gentlemen callers. Amanda says to Laura that "one Sunday afternoon in Blue Mountain- your mother received- seventeen!-gentlemen callers"(Williams, 1238).
I believe that part of the reason that Amanda spends so much time reliving her glory days is because she is somewhat displeased with her current life. Her life consists of having to depend on her son, Tom, for financial support. She also spends a great deal of time trying to help Laura make something of herself. However, she is only concerned with her children's well-being as it pertains to herself. For exampe, she wants Tom to have work so that he can provide for her. I feel as though the only way that she can find happiness is through her youthful days.
The Glass Menagerie 3
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
In The Glass Menagerie, there is a bit of situational irony present at the end of the story. Williams places situational irony at the end of the story to throw the reader off guard. I know that ending particularly surprised me! After the gentleman caller finally comes to the house, the family is thrilled. Amanda is thrilled that her daughter might finally get married, and Laura is about to meet with the man who she secretly admired during her school days. However, once Jim starts to break Laura's shell, he admits that he is doing something terribly wrong by spending the evening with Laura. Jim tells Laura that he has "been going steady...with a girl named Betty"(Williams, 1284). He says this to Laura after he has already kissed her and instilled a new sense of confidence within her. I felt awfully bad for Laura after Jim confessed that he was in love with another woman. After Laura had opened herself up to and started falling for this man, he just told her that he would never see her again. I feel like Jim's presence in Laura's life helped her become less shy; however, I feel as though Laura wanted to be more to Jim than an acquaintance.
Tennessee Williams
In The Glass Menagerie, there is a bit of situational irony present at the end of the story. Williams places situational irony at the end of the story to throw the reader off guard. I know that ending particularly surprised me! After the gentleman caller finally comes to the house, the family is thrilled. Amanda is thrilled that her daughter might finally get married, and Laura is about to meet with the man who she secretly admired during her school days. However, once Jim starts to break Laura's shell, he admits that he is doing something terribly wrong by spending the evening with Laura. Jim tells Laura that he has "been going steady...with a girl named Betty"(Williams, 1284). He says this to Laura after he has already kissed her and instilled a new sense of confidence within her. I felt awfully bad for Laura after Jim confessed that he was in love with another woman. After Laura had opened herself up to and started falling for this man, he just told her that he would never see her again. I feel like Jim's presence in Laura's life helped her become less shy; however, I feel as though Laura wanted to be more to Jim than an acquaintance.
The Glass Menagerie 2
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
One symbol that is prevalent throughout The Glass Menagerie is in fact the object, the glass meangerie. Williams made very clear from the beginning of the story that the glass menagerie would be a key symbol. The glass menagerie is a symbol of Laura's fragility. One of Laura's only interests is her glass collection. Each piece in the collection is particularly fragile and must be dealt with in a gingerly fashion. Just like Laura's glass, Laura is quite fragile because of her physical ailment in her leg. However, once Jim comes into Laura's life, he advises her to become more confident in herself. Right when she starts to become more confident in herself, Jim accidently bumps into a table, breaking the glass menagerie. I feel as though the breaking of the glass menagerie was symbolic of Laura breaking her "shell." In fact, when the menagerie breaks, Laura says, "maybe it's a blessing in disguise" (Williams 1282). Even though becoming a little bit more open was a struggle for Laura, it allowed her to become closer with Jim. When Jim broke the glass menagerie, he also broke Laura's closed-off personality.
Tennessee Williams
One symbol that is prevalent throughout The Glass Menagerie is in fact the object, the glass meangerie. Williams made very clear from the beginning of the story that the glass menagerie would be a key symbol. The glass menagerie is a symbol of Laura's fragility. One of Laura's only interests is her glass collection. Each piece in the collection is particularly fragile and must be dealt with in a gingerly fashion. Just like Laura's glass, Laura is quite fragile because of her physical ailment in her leg. However, once Jim comes into Laura's life, he advises her to become more confident in herself. Right when she starts to become more confident in herself, Jim accidently bumps into a table, breaking the glass menagerie. I feel as though the breaking of the glass menagerie was symbolic of Laura breaking her "shell." In fact, when the menagerie breaks, Laura says, "maybe it's a blessing in disguise" (Williams 1282). Even though becoming a little bit more open was a struggle for Laura, it allowed her to become closer with Jim. When Jim broke the glass menagerie, he also broke Laura's closed-off personality.
The Glass Menagerie 1
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
In The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams makes a point to keep the father a focal point of the story. Even though he is never explicitly in the sotry, he is referred to frequently. The large portrait of the family's father is a motif throughout The Glass Menagerie. Amanda refers to him frequently as her husband who has been away on business for sixteen years. Due to the constant fighting between Tom and Amanda, Tom wants to follow his father's footsteps. Tom wants adventure in his life, and the motif that is the portrait of his father is a constant motivation for an adventurous life. When Tom is referring to the portrait of his father, he says: "I'm like my father. The bastard son of a bastard! See how he grins? And he's been absent going on sixteen years"(Williams, 1269). Tom is saying that even though his father left their family, his grin and happiness is taunting the family. Tom aspires to be just as happy as his father is, and he knows that he will not attain that happiness if he is at home with his mother. In fact, Amanda is the root of much of Tom's unhappiness. I feel as though the motif that is the portrait serves as a constant reminder for the family that the father was able to reach a sense of self-satifaction. While the rest of the family is stuck at home, the father is out travelling the world and encountering adventure. At least this is what Tom believes his father is doing. I feel as though Tom has a glorified view of what his father has done since he left the family.
Tennessee Williams
In The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams makes a point to keep the father a focal point of the story. Even though he is never explicitly in the sotry, he is referred to frequently. The large portrait of the family's father is a motif throughout The Glass Menagerie. Amanda refers to him frequently as her husband who has been away on business for sixteen years. Due to the constant fighting between Tom and Amanda, Tom wants to follow his father's footsteps. Tom wants adventure in his life, and the motif that is the portrait of his father is a constant motivation for an adventurous life. When Tom is referring to the portrait of his father, he says: "I'm like my father. The bastard son of a bastard! See how he grins? And he's been absent going on sixteen years"(Williams, 1269). Tom is saying that even though his father left their family, his grin and happiness is taunting the family. Tom aspires to be just as happy as his father is, and he knows that he will not attain that happiness if he is at home with his mother. In fact, Amanda is the root of much of Tom's unhappiness. I feel as though the motif that is the portrait serves as a constant reminder for the family that the father was able to reach a sense of self-satifaction. While the rest of the family is stuck at home, the father is out travelling the world and encountering adventure. At least this is what Tom believes his father is doing. I feel as though Tom has a glorified view of what his father has done since he left the family.
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