MACBETH #4

Have you ever experienced a predicted dream? Has anyone ever suggested something about your future that has actually come true? Did their comments influence your actions and the results that followed?

When I lie down on my bed, give me five minutes and I am sound asleep. I have to set four alarms to wake up. So, there are only numbers of times I actually “see” my dream, let alone a predicted dream. But my friends and I like to go to the tarot card stand whenever we catch a movie. Most of the reading of the tarot card turned out to be false, but in spite of its low reputation, I can’t help myself associating every little incident with the prediction. For example, once the Ajumma who read my tarot cards predicted that I was going to break up in two weeks. I was disappointed with the results, but in my head I knew this wasn’t going to happen. The next day I found myself complaining to my friends about my boyfriend’s slow response to my text messages. A week later I broke it off with my boyfriend. Through the experience I learned that even though in my head I know that tarot card readings are silly and far from the truth, it’s extremely hard not to be influenced by it. So I can understand how easy it is for Macbeth to change after meeting the three witches. I mean how can you ever dismiss the predictions made by three women with actual magical powers? I don’t think I can.

MACBETH #3

Is there a personal incident in your life you wish could erase? Envision Lady Macbeth wringing her hands, unable to get the imaginary blood off of them. She is haunted by her participation in the grisly deed. Do you think her response is plausible? Do you think you could be consumed with guilt yourself if you found yourself wrapped up in such a heinous crime?

I don’t really believe in regrets. All my experiences, even the ones that didn’t turn out the way I wanted them to, I firmly believe they were all worth it. For example, choosing to do IB diploma was at first a “terrible decision,” but I now know that it was worthwhile (by no means I’m saying that the process became easier). However, the situation Lady Macbeth was in is a tad different than mine. Personally I think it is impossible to imagine the guilt and fear Lady Macbeth was feeling without actually participating in the crime, but with my very limited perspective, I think her reaction is very plausible. When I was little I remember my two brothers (the loving brothers they are) forced me to see the movie Chucky knowing very well that I am not a fan of horror movies. Ever since that unfortunate incident I had nightmares for two years. I sleepwalked frequently, and couldn’t go to sleep without any light. The memory of Chucky’s face haunted me night after night. Even now as an eighteen-year-old, I still can’t see images of that repulsive face. Now, if I can’t look at a picture of a twisted doll because of one traumatic experience, I can’t even imagine the guilt and fear I would feel if I was wrapped up in a heinous crime like Lady Macbeth. I’d probably end up in a same road as hers-death.

MACBETH #2

What do you think about the character of Macbeth? Was he a good guy before he met the witches, or do his actions imply that he was always capable of dark deeds? Is he to blame for his actions, or are the witches really to blame?
I think Macbeth is a very weak character. He has no stand in his life. He always looks for answers by asking someone else. He can’t trust anyone, including himself. He can’t see what really matters. He is easily consumed with external forces. He cannot make his own choices. He is like a dwarf trapped in a giant’s body. Therefore I don’t think it’s a matter of whether or not Macbeth was a good guy or not. What I think what led him to do his dark deeds was his lack of trust in himself. If he had faith in himself, he wouldn’t have seized the throne in such manner (like killing the subject); he would have got it with integrity. Also, a person who has faith in himself will not be so consumed with external influences, such as the witches’ prophecies or Lady Macbeth’s persuasion. A person who believes in oneself may seek some advices/ second opinions from others, but finds the answer within oneself. People who are like Macbeth, weak and vulnerable, are all capable of doing dark deeds if they think that will ensure security. Therefore the witches were just a trigger in his actions, but ultimately it is Macbeth’s lack of self confidence that is to blame for, for his actions.

MACBETH #1

Do you feel sorry for Lady Macbeth? Why or why not?

Yes, I do feel sorry for Lady Macbeth. Even though she was one of the pivotal characters that pushed Macbeth to a spiral of horrible events, it was a mistake. I think there’s an obvious difference between the witches, who intentionally drive people insane, and Lady Macbeth, who quickly felt guilty about her actions. Evidently the witches never repented, but it is clear (especially in Act 4) that Lady Macbeth regretted and repented her actions. Thus, I assume that Lady Macbeth has a good side all along, but was temporarily blinded by her ambition and greed in becoming Queen of Scotland. This is understandable situation, because it is our human nature to want more. We are never satisfied with what we have. Therefore when Macbeth filled Lady Macbeth with all these great possibilities, as a human being, Lady Macbeth was consumed with thoughts of her wearing the shiny crown. If you reach to that level (where all you can think about is what you want), then it is hard to get out of that cycle. Lady Macbeth merely couldn’t get out of that consumption of ambition, hence the murder of Duncan to make her dreams come true. Plus, when I look back at the English history back in the days (the setting of the play), death wasn’t such a big deal. It happened often, so the enormity of death may not be the same as how we conceive it. With that said, I think Lady Macbeth’s reaction after killing Duncan (and after Macbeth killed Macduff’s family) tells a lot about her fragile character. And for that reason I feel sorry for Lady Macbeth.

*

Reading Atwood's poem "Ava Gardner Reincarnated as a Magnolia," we see a tragic flaw in human nature of judging one another. This message has enhanced me in my thinking about "looking beyond the surface." Years of education taught me that judging is wrong. If a high school student knows this, I assume most of the population over age of fifteen will know the same. Nevertheless, we all do it. We unconsciously or consciously judge one another by other's appearance. The poem clearly shows that the result of this "uncontrollable" act can be traumatic. It is common for people to complain, because they are unsatisfied with their looks, or they think others are unsatisfied with their looks. Ironically, in this poem the speaker's hamartia is her beautiful looks. Who knew beautiful women have something to complain about! Yet, this aspect of her is the root of her self-destructive mindset. While, it is legitimate to point fingers at the society for condemning and judging an individual based on looks/gender, the speaker must also take responsibility for relying on others for source of identity.

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Marsh Languages

After TPCASTTing the poem, "Marsh Languages" by Margaret Atwood, it is evident that the theme of human use of language causing the degeneration of human culture surfaces throughout the entire poem. The tone of the speaker is extremely tense and gloomy. This is the result of the use of diction in the poem. Words like “dark”, “silenced”, “falling”, “cave”, “bone”, “core” dying”, “ceased to exist”, “forgotten”, “no more longing”, “eaten”, etc, make it impossible for the readers to feel the seriousness of the message. The poem enlightened what is happening to my world and the world around me. In the past and still now, I thought words are just words. Even though I knew that words can really hurt, I thought that was just the way it was; words are there for various purposes: to praise someone, to hurt someone, to communicate. Reading the poem, “Marsh Languages” it made me realize that it is not the way it is; humans are exploiting what is beautiful and sublime. It doesn’t have to be the way it is now. Today, we use language to hurt people, to prove a selfish point, and to degrade one another. It has come to a point where language is merely a tool (a weapon) to satisfy oneself; such "marsh languages" breakdown each other, thus creating regression within our society.

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Sylvia Plath

After researching all three poets, it was pretty clear that they had quite a life! My typical high school life seems so mundane after reading their biography. With that being said, it is hard to see any connection with these three phenomenal women, but if I must choose one who I see most of myself in it would have to be Sylvia Plath. Now, considering that I only lived for eighteen years, it’s no surprise that I didn't have the experience of true love or any affairs in that regard. But I do however see the similarities between Plath and I in that we both find pleasure in traveling and taking chances. I have to admit, reading about Plath going to London, Paris, Rome to find her true love, sounds dangerously romantic and extremely fascinating. Although anecdotes about her suicide attempt, and multiple breakdowns aren't exactly how I would picture myself react in the circumstances, I can imagine the extreme distress and understand why she acted the way she act.

Looking at some of her works of poetry, there’s no doubt that she is extremely educated and complex individual.

Reading some extracts of her diary, there’s no question that she is self-contradicting and self-destructive person.

Stripping all her achievements, diplomas, I see her as a scared, vulnerable woman desperate for help.

Before the research about her life, I viewed Plath merely as extremely intellectual American poet. It is ironic how after hearing all kinds of praises of this ingenious poet, all I can remember about her life is the fact that she killed her self, something I believe is the most stupid thing to do. All her works may perceive to be intricate work of art (and I think it is), but I also see it as a beautifully weaved confession of what happened to one woman. The only explanation for my change of perspective and sympathy for her is because I see a good portion of myself in Plath.

creation • fall • redemption

There are many creation surfacing through out the novel. For Patrick, meeting Patrick, Alice, and Hana is a creation of new relationship, which also symbolizes his new chapter of life. His childhood memories are creation as well, because he often goes back to his past for connections in the present situations he faces. For Caravaggio meeting Gianetta is creation for a new phase of life. Friendship with Alice is a creation for Clara. Their relationship of intimacy seem to ease, and fulfill (at least in some aspects of their life) them. 

Patrick's falls are evident in the novel. Patrick's initial fall occurs when his father, Hazen Lewis,  dies without passing down any tradition, which may be the reason why Patrick have trouble finding his identity. When Clara leaves Patrick for Ambrose Patrick is in a mess for years. Alice's death causes anger, thus burning the hotel and going to jail. He goes through physical and emotional breakdown. Ambrose death cause fall and creation for Clara. His death forces Clara to leave him yet creates the reunion between Patrick hence the potential of a deeper relationship between Clara and Patrick.

Redemption/restoration is found in Nicholas as he changes his occupation from a labor worker to a baker. It seems like he finally pulled it together by establishing a bakery, which he always wanted to do if he had the ability. Caravaggio seeks his restoration through escape. As he escapes from jail he finds a better person in him, a faithful and loyal husband. Ambrose death applies as redemption/restoration for Clara, because it forces her to break from the chain of superficial life, where money and status is what matters. However, Harris letting go of Patrick is the biggest redemption/restoration in the novel, because it morphed Patrick in subtle, yet in a dramatic way. It is clear that the way Patrick viewed life has changed from sad/anger to possibilities and hope.

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