Wounded by Perfection

In the novel, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, a young man is overcome by the burden of love; he falls for a cold hearted, beauty that he knows will hurt him in the end. He presses on, believing the two of them are destined to be together. “The unqualified truth is that, when I loved Estella with the love of a man, I loved her simply because I found her irresistible. Once for all; I knew to my sorrow, often and often, if not always that I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be. Once for all; I loved her none the less because I knew it, and it had no more influence in restraining me than if I had devoutly believed her to be human perfection.” (pg 232-233) Even though Pip felt a great sense of unhappiness after each time he was acquainted with his subject of love, he still went on to think of her and dream of her—wishing she was his. It’s not that he was lonely and looking for something to fill that hole, it was only that he had found himself caught in a deadly trap. As a man he fell madly in love with a vision. He didn’t see through to the heart of the situation—this heart, cold and careless. I suppose he thought loving this girl was worth it, but was it really worth getting himself hurt in the end? What he saw was simply a form of beauty of which he thought to be perfection, though that perfection pushed him away at a constant rate and grew to be a wounding matter upon poor Pip’s heart.

Visiting an Innocent Man

After observing Wemmick during his visit with Pip I thought of how strange it is that some people have to put on an act each day at work. When Wemmick is at home is a loose, caring, friendly man who sees pleasure in the simplest of things. Where as when he is working it's as though his face doesn't move and his mind is overcome by the idea of money and business. How can someone be such different people only from a change of setting? Although when Wemmick comes home day after day he enters into a world of fantasy and fairytales. His house resembles a castle, he has a bridge leading up to his door, and he also has a flagpole. The flagpole is obviously something Wemmick is very proud of. He mentions many times of how he hoists the flag into the air at a certain time and how he lowers it at a certain time. By making conversation of this with Pip, pride is evident. Though so simple, the flagpole holds great meaning in his homelife. This innocence of a grown man isn't something you see very often, but when you do it is quite refreshing. All the tragedy of the world doesn't affect him here; this is the place he can escape to that will clear his mind. Work, on the other hand, is only a burden of which he must carry around. Everyone must work if they strive to be succesful in the world, even if at times it can feel like torture. Seeing these traits in Wemmick can only make me think though he loves his work and does it well, his homelife is a mirror image of his true self. The things he really cares about are among the small piece of land he owns. He could take pride in his work by bragging about it to Pip when he comes, but instead he chooses to show him the things he made with his very own hands; longing for someone to appreciate them just as much as he does. Wemmick contributes greatly to the theme with his unique values. Many of the other charactors have adapted to the "world's" ways and don't see that finding happiness in yourself and what's in your own home can be the most important thing. You don't want to loose yourself by trying to follow the crowd. Wemmick is a great example to all of us. It is important to be focused with your work but you must never loose sight of those things that really matter. Clearly, Wemmick shows he has a love of being successful but he also shows love of happiness and family. He is a well-rounded man.

Life at Home

As I read, I observed how Mrs. Joe Gargery continuously puts Pip down. She is constantly reminding him he is not wanted. The way she throws him around when she is angry and says things that are only meant to make her feel better about herself, is a perfect example of selfishness. I can imagine the only way Pip could handle this would be the way Joe treats him as a friend. They understand each other's situation and are sympathetic towards each other. Knowing that Mrs. Joe Gargery is the way she is, provides the two boys with an understanding in each other. Their little signals and jokes are almost like an escape from the evil ways of Mrs. Joe. It's almost as if they expect her to be violent and quick to anger so they've learned to think nothing of it and move on with what has to be done. When they are eating and Pip begins to ask simple questions, Mrs. Joe blows her top almost immediately. Joe, on the other hand, sits there, letting his wife do all the yelling. He can see that something is on the boy's mind but he leaves him alone. It is apparent Pip has somewhat of a mixed authority at home. He has a friend but he also has an enemy all in the same house.

Essay on Good Earth

This is the link to my summative essay on The Good Earth. While reading this novel I observed the consequences of valuing worldy pleasures over the things that can make me a better person. Wang Lung discovered this in the last moments of his life.

http://oliviasessays.blogspot.com

The Good Earth: Response 2

Through my experience with reading this novel, The Good Earth, I have come upon situations and people that strike me as very different. One of these people is Wang Lung's uncle. He is constantly asking others for money and trying to get everything given to him. What really makes me angry is the fact that Wang Lung continues to give in every time he is asked. He, of course, realizes, like many other people do, his uncle is extremely lazy and not compelled, by any means, to provide for himself on his own. Wang Lung works long hard days out in hi fields growing food both to sell and to eat. After all those times he asked for money, the uncle comes once again but this time with men who seek to purchase Wang Lung's land--land he put his whole self into, the place he found pride and contentment, his escape from a tragic world. This was all going to be taken away from him. Although, to Wang Lung, it was more important that his family got food. For they had been starving for days.

Wang Lung ended up selling his furniture for a small price; it had been more money than he had held in a long time. I think there is something wrong with this. The House of Hwang possessed more money than any other villager had really ever seen before. Why then don't they even think to help just a little? Wang Lung's family was forced to go to the south in search of food to survive when this fruitful house is plentiful with food.

As I was reading I found that it is noticed more and more how strong and wise O'lan is. For, not once did she break down, not knowing what to do. She kept her head high. Even when she was forced to beg, she did it with pride and perseverance--not afraid of what tomorrow might bring. I find a role model in these type of women. When I compare myself to the heroes I find that I am weak and the only way to become such a woman as that, is to take risks and go on, even when life is tough.

Trickling World by Olivia Ritchie

Bubbling, trickling.

These sounds come alive,

silently but echoing to my ear.

Peace you feel at times,

so hard to understand.

For God made this natural wonder,

we learn to appreciate and treasure

each moment we spend in aw observing.

Busy city racing by,

creating a picture very different.

Longing to stay right here

for eternity,

we can't.

People must be among people.

But we continue to come back

to this place where we found happiness

for just a second.

Counting on the water to bring us hope

that somewhere a brighter tomorrow lives

with open arms.

All of the tragedy surrounding the world

may someday resolve,

though we wait for that time to come.

We will always come back to this place

see ourselves again

as innocent.

No one will hurt us here

everything and everyone is calm.

The waves of fear and pain

cannot hit us in this private get away.

This is where the world may someday

find itself again.

The Good Earth

After reading the first chapter of The Good Earth I can't quite grasp the huge difference that is present between modern day and historical China. Some of the happenings brought to my attention were almost too hard to handle. One humbling event that was apparent to me was when Wang Lung took O'lan to their 'marriage ceremony'; there was no sense of excitement and it seemed obvious that neither of them seemed happy or even comfortable with being there. To even get married at present time it is critical that you love the other person; I can't even fathom the fact that marriage, in that time and place, was almost never because of a strong, loving connection between two people, but only so that one day children might inherit the land that was owned by their father. A large symbol of this unloving situation was at the very end of the chapter when Wang Lung forces the woman to "become one with him". This occurrence was shocking. Now we would consider such a happening abuse. I see no normalcy when I think of this situation therefore I believe it falls under the category of tragedy. Although the strong religion the people of China have, the season, and the joyful nature leads me to believe maybe there is hope. "Now it was as if Heaven had chosen this day to wish him well. Earth would bear fruit."



In America it is stressed that every man is treated equally but in China it is found that the rich are the rich and the poor are the poor and it seems as though it is meant to stay that way. Money is a great issue for Wang Lung. The gate keeper at the House of Hwang looks at his food and immediately says it is equivalent to what is fed to the dogs. I find this an extremely cruel thing to say, yet Wang Lung takes it in as if it has been said to him everyday of his life. Being in such a large home with such exquisite art and clothing all around Wang Lung feels insecure and is given no respect--just as women are given no respect in that time. I feel this story will transform into a life lesson about respect and love between people. For even in the darkest places people have found love and it has changed them wholly as a person.

Princess in a Castle

As it glitters in the humidity. I walk, carefully but sure of myself. I've found a confidence I had never experienced before. My back is forced straight, I step forward. A chill runs up my spine. I'm not sure why but I feel stronger each step. As though I could run straight through a wall. My dress drags behind me making it hard to walk but I go on. The winding stairs seem to go on forever. Not knowing when I might see a sign of human flesh again in this grey, dreary hallway. I descend carefully, conscious of the fact I could fall at any moment. Careful but silent. I hear the wind through the slender diamond windows on either side of me. The smell of nature outside that I have never really seen before. I finally come to the balcony and look over the ledge, I see the kingdom-- the place I've always felt a sense of belonging. People wave and cheer. Yelling my name. It feels like I am as high as heaven itself. I sparkle with silk. Every last inch of my fragile body covered with this glamorous fabric. No worries upon this pedestal. For this is my home. And I will live up to my potential and make all these gracious and trusting people proud. I am the princess and this is my castle. I strive to make my piece of this world a better place.

Murder Revenge

Through reading this book many historical issues were revealed to me, one of them being women's right. In the short story, A Jury of Her Peers, women are treated with no respect and are left alone day after day. I can easily believe Mrs. Wright murdered her husband out of anger, not only did he possibly strangle her bird--her only friend and joy in the world-- but he forced her to stay in that old, creepy house alone everyday. Insanity got the better of this poor woman and I question whether she committed this terrible act of murder only to get the chance to see people once again. Although I can't be sure seeing and talking to people would have even been able to help her at that point. Several times Mrs. Hale referred to how disappointed she was that she didn't even have the heart to visit the poor woman once. There's no way to know if that would have helped Minnie Foster or not. She had gotten to such an extreme state of insanity that she killed her husband and practically admitted that she committed this crime. Since the poor woman was in such a critical state I think Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale had a deep sympathy for the woman. The way they hid the evidence they had found from the men brought me to the conclusion they cared for Mrs. Wright and only wanted to protect her from struggling through the remainder of her days in a jail cell with many other insane women. Though at this time women were treated badly and with no respect. I'm sure that no one would care if Mrs. Wright were to go to jail, but I think that when Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters found all those clues it was symbolizing the hidden strength of women and the power they would soon have. Minnie Foster displayed with her actions that women do have the power to rise above men. Since her husband took away her source of happiness she decided to get him back and show him how much he hurt her. The bird was her only source of light and freedom and her only way to become content once again was to put her husband through the same misery.