Scene Analysis of Saving Private Ryan

-(Scene is from 3:50 to 5:53)

Soldiers who have fought in wars past have been made out to be cold-hearted killers by some historians, callous to the death and destruction which surrounds them in combat. Many movies also portray this idea; however, this is not how it is. The movie “Saving Private Ryan”, directed by Steven Spielberg, has a different idea of how soldiers carry themselves out in duty. In reality, soldiers are not cold-hearted killers who only follow orders, but rather feel sorry for what they have to do. Spielberg attempts to show that human life is always important, even in war. He shows this by creating a somber and bitter tone and by using different angles and shots seen in this scene.

Through the use of setting, lighting and close-ups, Spielberg is able to create a somber tone. The scene is set in time as the Invasion of Normandy has begun, with bloodied bodies strewn everywhere. In the final moments of the scene, the camera captures this feeling of emptiness and sadness when it pans across the beach to reveal the hundreds of bodies sprawled out while the waves keep coming, red with blood. The lighting of the scene also build up to this feeling of sadness, as the background always seems to be filled with clouds, smoke and fire, blocking out the sun and the warmth which comes with it. The lighting used in the scene also seems to symbolize a soldier’s thinking, as during times of war one has conflicting emotions. On one hand, they need to follow out the orders of their superior offices, but on the other, they value the lives of others, even though they are the enemy. This is seen in close-ups as well. In shots 1 and 14, they show Cpt. Miller’s face as he looks into the distance. His eyes portray a feeling of sadness as he looks at the death and destruction which lay in front of him, while clouds in the background block out any available light, showing his conflicting thoughts and judgment.

During the scene, a bitter tone is also established through the use of camera angles, reaction shots, and dialogue. In shot 11, a soldier is depicted after having just picked up some dirt and placing it in a cup labeled “France”. The director then creates a low-angle shot to show the man’s face as he looks out into the distance. This camera angle shows how the soldier is looked up to, as he begins to show emotion for what he has just done. He has realized that those lying dead are a result of him and others shooting them down, and begins to feel regret for his actions, showing that many soldiers believe that the taking human life is wrong, even in times of war. Along with the camera angles used, Spielberg has various reaction shots that build up to the bitterness felt during the scene. At one time during the scene, a soldier named Fish is portrayed breaking down to the thought of taking a knife from a German that has just been killed. In shot 7, there is a reaction shot showing the soldier who has handed Fish the knife deep in thought. He himself is bitter to the situation that has just unfolded, seemingly in pain as he looks down to avoid looking at his friend sobbing uncontrollably. During the scene, there are other reaction shots all showing basically the same emotion – sadness and regret. These tones are also portrayed through the limited dialogue used during the scene. At one point during the scene, Cpt. Miller is drinking from his canteen and looks down upon the beach he has just come from. The man next to him says, “That’s quite a view”, with Miller’s response simply being, “Yes it is. Quite a view.” Cpt. Miller begins to take in what has just happened and a feeling of bitterness envelops him as he realizes all the dead soldiers strewn on the beaches of Normandy. It is also apparent in the pitch of his voice that he is deeply saddened by the events which have unfolded around him.

Throughout the scene, Steven Spielberg employs various techniques to create a variety of tones. These tones build up to the idea that not all soldiers are killing machines, but rather feel the need to shield human life from destruction caused by war. Even though orders are placed to eliminate the enemy, people cannot get rid of this feeling of regret which comes with the task set before them.

Scene Proposal

Movie: Saving Private Ryan

Scene: 25:25 - 27:22, Depicts Cpt. Miller as the leader of the 2nd Ranger Battalion. They have just finished storming the beaches of Normandy.
(Part 3, 3:50 to 5:53 on youtube.com)

Description: The scene starts off with Cpt. Miller looking on in the distance as the fighting continues around him. He watches as a bunker explodes and his men begin to steal supplies from fallen German soldiers. The scene takes place near the beach, but not directly on it and the skies are full of clouds with smoke and some explosions in the background. People everywhere are also running and there is chaos all around him. Gun shots continue as one of Miller's men finds a knife off of a German soldier who has been killed in a trench and exclaims to one of his friends, "Hey Fish, look at this, a Hitler Youth knife." As he gives it to "Fish", he turns around and cracks a joke. Suddenly, however, he begins to cry uncontrollably. We see the camera zoom in on his face as we see his pain envellop him. The camera then captures the faces of those around him, and sorrow is present in their faces as well. Gunfire keeps exploding in the background. One guy then bends down and puts some dirt in a cup and seals it, with the word "France" labeling it and puts it in a bag with other cups labeled "Italy" and "Africa". This man's face is completely covered in soot and dirt as he looks on in the distance. The camera then switches views to a man who's hands are shaking while trying to open a waterbottle. We can't yet see his face, however after a few seconds of trying to open the canteen, we are able to see this is Cpt. Miller who has his back to some barbed-wire and smoke coming from a recent shell-strike. Another man says "It's quite a view", with Miller's response being a simple, "Yes it is...quite a view". The camera then zooms again closer to his face, and we see he is sweaty and has an expression of sadness in his eyes. He is looking out upon the beaches and the blood and bodies which cover it. The bodies are rolling in the sea with each incoming wave, which is also red from the blood.

(Anouilh) Antigone Journal 5

Theme I - Gender Roles
So far, the authors of the plays we have read have oftentimes used gender roles to portray how women should have acted during the times the plays were written. Like in Oedipus the King, Jocasta is portrayed as being someone who thoughtfully looks at the situation at hand and is calm even through times of hardship (although there still is a breaking point for women). Also, in Medea, the main woman of the play is also portrayed differently than men. Medea is often rash and acts out of jealousy. She ends up killing her two sons and is a role model of what women should not behave like. In both versions of Antigone, Antigone is shown as a woman who stands up for her rights and is assertive, committed to what she truly believes in.

Theme II - Corruption
In every play we have read, corruption plays a great part in the plot. Like Oedipus, Creon and, to an extent, Jason, power has brought upon the lust for more power and complete control along with the knowledge of always being right. This does not end well in all cases, for it causes grief for those indirectly affected by this corruption. This abuse of power often leads to negative consequences, often being death.

(Anouilh) Antigone Journal 4

Happiness is a word which Anouilh often repeats during Creon and Antigone's argument. One time, Antigone says,"Happiness..." with Creon replying, "Not much of a word is it?" (Pg 41). This shows how Creon and Antigone differ greatly in their thinking. Although Creon and Antigone believe that happiness is the essence of life and the reason people go on living, they have a different view of what this happiness is. Antigone believes happiness is gained by the right to have a choice in your life. Creon, on the other hand, believed that happiness was gained through submission and obediance. He wants Antigone to be happy through obeying him and marrying Haemon.
Anouilh also uses ambiguous terms throughout the book to let us interpret the characters and their motivations. He makes these terms, such as happiness, seem rather unclear to show how the character of Creon makes broad statements in order to try and make other characters, such as Antigone, obey his orders. Creon wishes only for Antigone to be quiet and stay alive and "be happy". Antigone responds to this unfavorably, believing that dying for her cause is better than obeying Creon and not burying her brother.

(Anouilh) Antigone Journal 3

The scene which my group will be acting out is the one when Medea kills her two sons and then flies away in her chariot. I will be acting out the lines of the chorus and the boys. The chorus talk of how they believe that Medea was wrong to have murdered her own children. They are motivated to talk out by her actions, leading them to condemn what she has just done. The chorus says, "Woman of stone, heart of iron [...] ready to kill the seed of your hands with the hand that tilled." (pg. 72 line 1279). They show how they believe Medea has become coldhearted and almost not-human because of her actions and they disagree with the approach she is taking in getting back at Jason for what he has done to her.

(Anouilh) Antigone Journal 2

Foil
-"I always think things over, and you don't. You are Impulsive...whereas I think things out." (Anouilh 11)
-Anouilh creates a foil between Ismene and Antigone to highlight how rash and impulsive Antigone's actions are throughout the play. It also shows how different the two sisters are and may build up to something bigger later in the play.

Repetition
-"Stronger than all fever, stronger than any nightmare, strongher than the shadow of the cuboard that used to snarl at me and turn into a dragon on the bedroom wall." (Anouilh 14)
-Anouilh repeats the word "stronger" to emphasize how Antigone wishes for the Nurse to become stronger emotionally and help Antigone out in achieving her goal of burying her brother against the law.

Simile
-"I'm sallow, and I'm scrawny. Ismene is pink and golden. She's like a fruit." (Anouilh 17)
-This simile is used to again compare and contrast the personalities of Ismene and Antigone. They are almost complete opposites and this difference may again lead up to something bigger in the end.

Metaphor
-"The machine is in perfect order; it has been oiled ever since time began, and it runs without friction." (Anouilh 23)
-Anouilh compares tragedy to a machine to show how perfect tragedy is. It runs "without friction", which shows how it is always happening in everyday life and has been doing so since time began.

(Anouilh) Antigone Journal 1

During the 1940's, WWII was in full gear. France, where Jean Anouilh was living, was already occupied by Germany and the Nazis were beginning to take all of Europe. There was an increase in the number of dictators such as Stalin, Hitler and Musolini around the world controlling everyone's lives. These events probably greatly influenced Anouilh's version of Antigone. He will most likely emphasize the role of Creon as being a terrible ruler who rules Thebes with an iron fist - much like Hitler or Musolini did. Also, he will probably leave out certain aspects of tragedy and more likely focus on death and destruction rather than emotional suffering.

Antigone Journal 3

Antigone
-Keira Knightley
-"I did it, I don't deny a thing." (492)
"You're right - if I mock you, I get no pleasure from it, only pain." (620-621)
-Blonde, fairly tall, looks like she's in her twenties, pretty good lookin.
-She can be rash and forceful when she wants to be and looks young. She can also play on people's emotions and is why she would play a good Antigone.

Creon
-George W. Bush
-"And you, aren't you ashamed to differ so from them? So disloyal!" (571)
"What? The city is the king's - that's the law!" (825)
-In his 50's or 60's with grey or greying hair and is rather short.
-He also acts very rash and jumps to conclusions very quickly. He likes power and also likes asserting his power over others.

Haemon
-Zach Braff
-"Now, you see? Who's talking like a child?" (822)
"What a splendid king you'd make of a desert island - you and you alone." (826)
-In his 30's, dark brown hair, pretty fit-looking, somewhat tall.
-He oftentimes questions authority, as seen in "Scrubs". He also can be serious when he wants to be but also uses sarcasm a lot.

Ismene
-Alyssa Milano
-"I'd do them no dishonor...but defy the city? I have no strength for that." (93-94)
"I'm forced, I have no choice - I must ovey the ones who stand in power." (80-81)
-She looks a bit younger than Antigone, but not by much. She has brown hair and is pretty good looking with a nice body.
-She can be submissive and seems to act like a "good girl" who follows orders from others. She also can be portrayed as very faithful and loyal.

Leader of the Chorus
-Mike Rowe
-"We are too old. Lay that burden on younger shoulders." (242-243)
"Like father like daughter, passionate, wild...she hasn't learned to bend before adversity." (525-527)
-He is in his 40's and is fairly tall and is in good shape. He also has short, black hair.
-He is very good at directing things and speaking to many people at the same time.

The Sentry
-Will Ferrell
-"It's pure joy to escape the worst yourself, it hurts a man to bring down his friends." (486-487)
"But no casting lots this time; this is my luck, my prize, no one else's." (438-439)
-He is in his 40's and has a moderate build. He has short, brown hair and is tall.
-He can also be portrayed as being very selfish as well as afraid of punishment.

Antigone Journal 2

Knowledge Level
-Who is also implicated in the crime along with Antigone?
-What is to happen to Antigone, as Creon suggests?

Comprehension Level
-Was Haemon right to stand up for Antigone?
-Why did Antigone bury her brother?

Application Level
-What do you think will become of Ismene?
-Why does Creon reject Haemon's suggestions?

Analysis
-Why does Antigone wish to die for her actions?
-Why does Ismene not want for Antigone to die and her to live?

Synthesis
-How do gender roles play a part in the reading?
-What role to the gods play in the story?

Evaluation
-Is Creon right to sentence Antigone to death?
-How does Creon compare to the character of Oedipus? Does he act in a similar way?

Antigone Journal 1

Personification
"The doom reserved for enemies marches on the ones we love the most" (pg. 59, line 12)
-Sophocles personifies this "doom" to show how things often backfire on people. Instead of affecting your enemies, instead, you truly affect those who are closest to you.

Symbol
"My countrymen, the ship of state is safe. The gods who rocked her, after a long, merciless pounding in the storm, have righted her once more." (pg. 67, line 179-182)
-The ship symbolizes how the city has been significantly thrown around by the gods, who represent the waves, rocking the city back and forth. Creon also says this to tell his countrymen that the worst has past and that the gods are again calm and happy.

Simile
"And he had driven against our borders, [...] like an eagle screaming, winging havoc over the land" (pg. 65, line 125-128)
-The chorus explains how the enemies of Thebes had wreaked havoc on the city, like an eagle. They choose to compare these enemies to an eagle because eagles are birds of prey and are seen as a symbol of courage and strength.

Medea Journal 3

Both Sophocles and Euridipes present elements of tragedies in their plays. One example of how they do this is through their usage of well known and prosperous characters. Both Medea and Oedipus were well known throughout Greece and were rather wealthy individuals. Both stories also show man's want for power, be it emotional power in Medea or physical power in Oedipus. Also, these two protagonists bring about their own falls through their flaws and show man's struggle against the world. Also, both plays eventually make the audience feel pity for certain characters within the play, causing this suffering from the soul. Also, the pity and fear which is evoked in Medea quickly dissapears when she ends up murdering her two children. In Oedipus, the same effect takes place because of his ignorance which is apparent though his actions thoughout the play.

Medea Journal 2

Jason and Medea's interactions with the gods are quite different. Jason, on one hand, wishes for the gods to help him out through life, but is rather distant, while still having controll over his life. Medea, on the other hand, seems to be more connected to the gods and asks them for favors instead of praying to them.

Jason:
-"... It was Aphrodite and no one else in heaven or earth who saved me on my voyage"(527), shows how Jason expects the gods to help him and have complete control over his life.
-"Zues, do you hear how I'm at bay, Dismissed by this ogress, odious woman." (1405-1406), Jason looks up to the gods for help after being betrayed by her. He automatically assumes that Zeus will help him out because of how Medea has been acting.

Medea:
-"Zeus the Father knows exactly what you got from me and how you then behaved."(1352-1353), shows how she personally knows the gods and that Zeus, who is the primary ruler of the gods, knows how Jason has betrayed her.
-"This chariot, the Sun-my father's father- gave me"(1322-1323), shows how the gods have granted her favors and uses the word "father" to show how close Medea and the gods truly are.

Medea Journal 1

The chorus in Medea differs significantly from that of Oedipus. The chorus of Medea offers much more insight to the situation of Medea and asks her many questions. One example of all the questions they ask Medea is on pg. 44, line 359 - 361, where they say, "Whom will you turn to? Where will you turn? What country, what stranger, what home for a haven? Who will receive you?". They seem to care about Medea's situation a lot more than the chorus of Oedipus, which seems to be narrating the thoughts of the people and their own problems. Medea also reveals to the chorus much more than Oedipus reveals to his chorus. The chorus of Medea also uses a lot of rhyming when asking questions, "What yearning for love on a bed of delight Could make you hurry to death, the night?" (Pg. 38, Line 152-153). This seems to add to the curiosity the chorus of Medea, for it sometimes seems as if they are telling a kind of riddle.

Oedipus Journal 5

Sophocles, throughout his play of "Oedipus the King", is able to arouse pity and fear in his audience through the structure of his plot. One way Sophocles is able to do this is by the path his story follows. When Oedipus consults the oracle at Delphi, it tells him that he is destined to kill his father and marry his mother. He attempts at escaping this fate of his by traveling away from who he thought was his father and goes to Thebes, where he defeats the Sphinx and becomes king. On his way though, he runs into King Laius and kills him, who, unbenounced to him, is his true father. This makes the crowd pity him and fear the situation. They pity him because Oedipus' hard decision to get away from Polybus and Corinth and travel to an alien land only ends in him killing his true father. This also evokes fear, because it shows how things may not always be the way they truly seem in life. When it was later revealed that Polybus was not his true father, he begins to worry, and the audience pities him for his misfortune and his emotional struggles. When the prophecy is finally brought to light by both Jocasta and Oedipus, the audience experiences fear because they realize that fate has had the final say in the character's lives and there was nothing that could be done to escape it. Also, later in the play, when Oedipus gouges his eyes out with a needle and Jocasta commits suicide, the series of events evokes pity in the audience, for they are able to see the emotional struggles and pains Oedipus now is going through after everything in his life has turned out so terrible.

Oedipus Journal 4

Sophocles uses various images throughout his play to help create a better understanding of his main theme. The image I chose to do was that of light.

"O god - all come true, all burst to light! O light - now let me look my last on you!" (1306-1308)

"But now for all your power Time, all-seeing Time has dragged you to the light..." (1340-1341)

The imagery of light is used to show how new facts are starting to reveal themselves to those in the play, especially Oedipus. Light is shown as truth, and truth has finally been reached by Oedipus after time has uncovered what has happened in Oedipus' life. He also tells how how it is the last time he would look on the light, showing how the complete truth has finally come out and there is nothing more to reveal about Oedipus. Nothing could stop this uncovering of the truth because time was eventually going to force the truth out of the situation, even given the fact that Oedipus was incredibly powerful, showing how the truth may be uncovered no matter what is done and can be done so to anyone.

Oedipus Journal 3

Sophocles establishes gender roles that contrast the typical man and the typical woman. With the confrontation between Oedipus and Jocasta, he shows how women should take a less involved role in a relationship. Oedipus is shown as the one who is interogating Jocasta, while Jocasta obeys him and answers all his questions while he also tries figuring out what happened. Sophocles most likely intends for Jocasta to be an example of the ideal greek woman, obeying their husbands and telling the truth. When both genders speak to each other, it seems to be very to the point and full of facts, showing how there must be a level of trust and honesty between both genders. Oedipus' actions seem to be frowned upon by sophocles because he seems to be portraying Oedipus in a negative light because of his bad judgement in killing Laius and his quick tempered thinking. Creon, on the other hand, seems to be the ideal greek man because he listens to rational thinking and believes in the strength of words rather than the strenght of actions.

Oedipus Journal 2

At the start, Oedipus seems like a very proficient leader. He seems to truly want the killer brought to justice by all means. He wishes the best for Thebes, and springs into action, trying to find out who the killer of Laius is and where he is at. He seems to be very knowledgeable as he seems to talk in a very intelligent way and uses words which seem as if he were very intelligent. As the story progresses, Oedipus seems to become harsh and abuse his power. He starts yelling at Tiresias because he wont give information and seems to only care of his own well being. He also begins to use words like "scum" and "spurn", a lower level of vocabulary than before, and becomes demanding. He also begins to become selfish, when Tiresias tells him he is the killer, he refuses to listen to save his own life from death or exile.

Tiresias seems to be very wise and initially does not want to hurt others, like Oedipus when they are speaking of the killer of Laius. He does not strike out unless struck upon, such as when Oedipus begins to yell at him for not telling him the truth. He uses the power of words, not actions, to help his cause.

Creon seems to be less powerful than Oedipus, yet offers good words of advice. He seems to be the exact opposite of what Oedipus makes him out to be. He seems to be wise and kind-hearted, and uses words to act rather than actions.

Oedipus Journal 1

Pg. 159: Oedipus is at the royal house of Thebes and is absorbing the terrible sights he sees after a plague has hit his city and many people are dying. A priest has come to talk to him.
Pg. 160: The priest talks of all the city of Thebes plights and reveals how the crops are bad, many people are dying, as well as their cattle.
Pg. 161: The priest asks Oedipus to help and call on the gods as well to help out the people of Thebes.
Pg. 162: Oedipus tells the priest that he too is suffering. He has sent Creon to Delphi to try and see what they can do to save the city.
Pg. 163: Creon has arrived, crowned, and with supposedly good news. Oedipus tells him to share his findings with all the priests as well.
Pg. 164: To recieve the Apollo's mercy, the city of Thebes must find the ones who killed the former king, Laius and seek revenge.
Pg. 165: Creon and Oedipus wonder where they could find their killer and how to track him down.
Pg. 166: Creon talks of how the one witness said that King Laius was cut down by thieves, but they believe the witness was paid off by conspirators. The Sphinx called the search for the thieves off.
Pg. 167: Oedipus decides to help in the search to find the thieves.
Pg. 168: The chorus talks of the different gods and ask for help from them.
Pg. 169: The chorus speaks of how Thebes is falling and the terrible things happening to it. They want the gods to help.
Pg. 170: The chorus portrais death as a god which all other gods hate, and in so calls all the other gods to help Thebes by destroying this god of death.

Literary Techniques:

Metaphor
-"Here are boys, still too weak to fly from the nest,..."(Sophocles 16-17)
-Compares the people of Thebes to helpless baby birds which cannot fly. This shows how weak the city is and needs Oedipus' leadership to help them.

Metaphor
-"[...]our ship pitches wildly, cannot lift her head from the depths, the red waves of death...Thebes is dying." (Sophocles 29-31)
-Portrays the city of Thebes as a ship which is struggling to keep afloat. The "waves of death" are engulfing the city.

Personification
-"And black Death luxuriates in the raw, wailing miseries of Thebes." (Sophocles 37-38)
-Death is seen as an evil person who loves suffering. While Thebes is in shambles and people are dying, Death enjoys watching everything unfold in the city.

Simile
-"Thebes like a great army dying and there is no sword of thought to save us, no and the fruits of our famous earth, they will not ripen[...]" (Sophocles 194-196)
-Shows how Thebes is defenseless against death and cannot use their minds to overcome the plague. Shows their dependence on god. Also talks of the plague's strife on people and their food.

Final Draft For We (leave some suggestions if you want)

Society of the Harmonious Fist
IB- JR English
Mrs. Wecker
April 2, 2009

The Balance of Civil Liberties and Security

Throughout the world today, many countries have decided to restrict the civil liberties of their people in order to gain security. Although people want to remain emotionally and physically safe from any kind of attack on them, balance of their civil liberties and security is essential. This idea is presented by Yevgeny Zamyatin in his book We as well. Zamyatin uses the symbols of glass and The Great Operation, as well as the conflict between the Mephi and The One State, to warn against the restriction of civil liberties in time of conflict for additional security. Instead, people need to be able to balance the protection of their civil liberties with security.
Zamyatin uses the symbol of glass to reveal the restriction of civil liberties the people of The One State face due to the conflict which has resulted from the 200 years war. The glass serves as an example of how the society, in a time of conflict, gives up its civil liberties in order to feel secure. During D-503’s Fourth Entry, he talks of how, “At all other times we live behind our transparent walls that seem woven of gleaming air – we are always visible, always washed with light […] Besides, this makes much easier the difficult and noble task of the Guardians” (Zamyatin 18). D-503 talks of how all the citizens of The One State are always under constant surveillance, fearing that their security will be destroyed if someone’s civil liberties are given priority. This constant surveillance makes the Guardian’s jobs easier because without privacy, it is very hard to conceal things from The One State and the Guardians. Privacy is a civil liberty which should not be sacrificed during a time of conflict. Later in the book, when D-503 is talks about the transparency of the glass and its lack of privacy is during his Nineteenth Entry, where he says, “Through the sun-drenched walls I can see far, both right and left and down, the empty rooms suspended in the air, repeating themselves as in a mirror” (Zamyatin 108). The ability for people to see into other’s rooms removes the privacy of individuals, and thus removes a civil liberty for the addition of security. Also, Zamyatin uses the word “through” to convey a helpless feeling, knowing that people were unable to hide anything from others. This complete lack of privacy allows for The One State to constantly spy on people while still offering complete protection to its citizens. Has always been essential civil liberty, and The One State lacks any sort of balance between this civil liberty and the security represented by the glass. Zamyatin also uses the symbol of the Great Operation to show how the civil liberties of citizens can be eliminated for the sake of happiness and security in the most extreme of manners. When D-503 is speaking to a patient, the patient says, “Absolute happiness should, of course, carry a minus sign- the divine minus” (Zamyatin 184). The patient uses a euphemism, in the creole of the One State, that could mean absolute happiness and personal freedom are mutually exclusive. The minus sign in this euphemism represents the lack of personal liberty (more specifically imagination). Absolute happiness is the desired state which all individuals strive to achieve. Thus, in order to achieve the desirable state of happiness, individuals within a society must surrender personal liberty. Zamyatin reuses the symbol of the Great Operation later in the book. After the Mephi’s failed attempt to seize the Integral; “[…] everyone was to report for the operation” (Zamyatin 206). The quote uses the word “everyone” in order to emphasize the fact that no citizen can choose to escape the Great Operation. This passage also uses very forceful verb choice, such as “was to”, in order to emphasize the fact that citizens cannot decide whether or not to have the surgery performed, having lost this right. In conjunction, this shows that citizens have completely surrendered all personal liberties to the state for the sake of happiness and internal security, dangerously upsetting the balance between liberty and security.
Zamyatin creates a conflict between the one state and the mephi in order to offer the idea that societies have a scale which needs to balance security and civil liberties. The conflict Zamyatin creates is evident in the word choice used by D-503, a member of the one state, while he describes members of the mephi. D-503 has just entered the world outside the green wall, “In the clearing-people… Or-I don’t know what to call them-perhaps, more precisely, beings” (Zamyatin 155). Not knowing how to classify them, D-503 has just described these fellow humans as “beings” rather than as people. D-503 has just set himself, and members of the One State, apart as superior because they are people, separating the two societies. This passage displays a conflict between them, since D-503’s society would classify the other as less than them. Zamyatin attempts to reveal this idea of balance in society by creating a scale, and depending on what is happening in the society, the scale may tip towards security or towards civil liberties.D-503 has just announced his opinion on madness after someone in the audience regarded the rebellion as madness, “‘Yes, yes, madness! The sooner the better! And everyone must lose his mind, everyone must! The sooner the better! It is essential-I know it’” (Zamyatin 158). Members of the one state are taught that security and protection are essential for humans to survive, or else the people would stand up for individual rights rather than their security. This thought is imbued in their minds, it has become part of them, and D-503 is stating that the people must lose their minds in order to rebel against the one state, sacrificing security for civil liberty. Zamyatin attempts to communicate the idea that, in order to fight for liberty, one must give up the need for too much security, which assists in the idea that security and civil liberty need a balance both equal and opposite. This idea of a balance scale contributes to a warning against having a totally secure and protected society, since civil rights would need to be abandoned or heavily restricted. Instead, Zamyatin hopes for us to realize there must be a balance between both civil liberties and security.
The balance between civil liberties and security are essential to a society’s well-being. Zamyatin shows this throughout We by using the symbols of glass, The Great Operation, and the conflict between the two societies present in his book. He urges people to stand up for their civil liberties even in times of conflict where they could be restricted in the name of security.

We Rough Draft Paragraph

Zamyatin uses the symbol of glass to reveal the restriction of civil liberties the people of The One State face due to the conflict which has resulted from the 200 years war. The glass is a an example of how the society, in a time of conflict, gives up its civil liberties in order to feel secure. During D-503’s Fourth Entry, he talks of how, “At all other times we live behind our transparent walls that seem woven of gleaming air – we are always visible, always washed with light […] Besides, this makes much easier the difficult and noble task of the Guardians” (Zamyatin 18). D-503 talks of how everyone in The One State is always under constant surveillance, fearing that their security will be destroyed if someone’s civil liberties are given priority. This constant surveillance makes the Guardian’s jobs easier because without privacy, it is very hard to conceal things from The One State and the Guardians. Privacy is a civil liberty which should not be sacrificed during a time of conflict. Another point within the book where D-503 is talking of the transparency of the glass and its lack of privacy is during his Nineteenth Entry where he says, “Through the sun-drenched walls I can see far, both right and left and down, the empty rooms suspended in the air, repeating themselves as in a mirror” (Zamyatin 108). The ability for people to see into other’s rooms removes the privacy of individuals, and thus removes a civil liberty for the addition of security. Also, Zamyatin uses the word “through” to convey a helpless feeling, knowing that people were unable to hide anything from others. This complete lack of privacy allows for The One State to constantly spy on people while still offering complete protection to its citizens. Privacy is an essential civil liberty, and The One State lacks any sort of balance between this privacy and the security represented by the glass.

Dystopia Journal 3: We

Topic C

Yevgeny Zamyatin uses We as a warning of what might happen in real life if communism continues spreading throughout the world, as he fears might truly happen. Although the book portrays a very technologically advanced society with certain aspects that may not be entirely plausible, the ideas contained within it are very much believable. The dystopian society in which D-503 lives in seems to model that of Soviet Russia during the era where Stalin was in power. In both Stalinist Russia and The One State, it is shown that peoples civil liberties are ignored for the common good, such as privacy and freedom of speech and thought. This historical similarity offers a very believable aspect to Zamyatin's book, as we can see that it can truly happen in real life to a certain extent as is shown in We. Zamyatin uses this warning of technological control over people's lives as well as The One State's control over its citizen's beliefs and freedom to show how out of control a totalitarianist regime can become. Even though Zamyatin paints a very grim picture of how the future may turn out, he also offers hope at the end of We. Near the end, the revolutionary group called The Mephi is able to successfully break through society's grasp on them by destroying The Green Wall, showing us that something can be done in order to escape this kind of oppressive regime.

Word Count: 237

Propaganda

From: http://www.teacheroz.com/images/homes.gif
This propaganda poster appeared during WWII and aims at making people in America aware of what is happening and what could happen to them in the near future if they do not act quick and fight off the Germans and Japanese. This propaganda is effective because it expresses fear of what might happen and is a warning for the future. Both Hitler and the Japanese both look evil and ready to kill, warning Americans that they should participate in the war effort or America may be attacked as well. It targets all people in America and works because it instills fear on the American public.

Literary Element - We

Imagery clouds thunder storm

During the book, Zamyatin uses the imagery of the weather to convey some of his ideas more effectively. Many times throughout the book, Zamyatin uses the imagery of clouds to show how "perfect" the society depicted in We is, and how they have completely pushed nature out of their lives. During the beginning of the book, whenever D-503 looked up into the sky, there were no clouds. "But the sky! Blue, unblemished by a single cloud [...] I love - I am certain I can safely say, we love - only such a sterile, immaculate sky" (Zamyatin 3). He believed that clouds were disorderly and absurd and did not belong in a perfect society. They were something the ancients saw as being beautiful and splendid, but D-503 did not understand why. This passage also tells us that the society D-503 lives in is very concerned of everything that seems to be unorderly; a reason to why they shut nature out of their world inside The Green Wall.
Another moment in the book where Zamyatin uses the imagery of weather is after The Green Wall has been destroyed. After it is blown up, a storm englufs The One State and the disorderly clouds start to rush in. This rush of nature coming into the society shows how people began to change and behave more like The Ancients had. They could finally experience freedom, something which the weather is able to portray in We.

Dystopia Journal 2: We

Topic B

Throughout the book We, Zamyatin offers us characters which rebel against The Benefactor and The One State. Along with D-503, I-330 plays a major role as a catalyst to D-503's attempts to escape The One State's control. I-330 questions the existing social and political systems many times throughout the book and is an active member of the resistance group called The Mephi. She does not believe the society is being run fairly and wants to rebel against the oppression she is facing under its influence. She does not like the Green Wall and organizes for The Mephi to destroy it. When it is destroyed, people begin to live freely because the oppression of The One State over their lives had now ended. She also helps D-503 recognize the negative aspects of The One State and convinces him to also join her in The Mephi and take part in their plan to overthrow The One State and blow up The Green Wall. Along with the destruction of the wall, The Mephi planned a vote against The Benefactor as well as disobeyed other rules set in place by society. I-330 plays a major role not only in the throwdown of The One State, but also with the changing of D-503 and other's preceptions on how their lives are being run by The Benefactor and The One State. In the end, her resistance to The One State results in her death after being betrayed by D-503 because of the affect The Operation has on him.

Word Count: 252

Dystopia Journal 1: We

Topic A

"Every morning, with six-wheeled precision, at the same hour and the same moment, we-millions of us-get up as one. At the same hour, in million-headed unison, we start work; and in million-headed unison we end it. And, fused into a single million-handed body, at the same second, designated by the Table, we lift our spoons to our mouths. At the same second, we come out for our walk, go to the auditorium, go to the hall for Taylor exercises, fall asleep..."(Zamyatin 12).

This passage, which D-503 writes in his journal during his third entry, shows how seemingly communistic and controlling the society which he lives in is. The Table of Hours talked about in his entry is one symbol which shows The One State's control over its inhabitants. It gives specific times which tasks need to be completed, which everyone follows exactly. Everyone in this society does the same task, at the same hour, and seem to follow the same trend every day for their lives. The words which Zamyatin use, such as "million-headed unison" and "million-handed body"show how the entire community which D-503 lives in is working together for the benefit and progress of the community as a whole. The One State's control over society is extraordinary; however, the inhabitants within its glass dome seem to enjoy what they do and how they carry out their lives from day to day. D-503 seems to love following the Table of Hours and obeying the rules set up in his society. He does not mind The Guardian's constant surveillance and seems to enjoy living in a society which lives by mathematical precision in everything which they do. Even without personal freedom, the characters introduced so far in We have only expressed joy and willingness to work within the society's needs wants.

Word Count: 218

Stranger Journal 9

At the end of the book, Meursault comes to the conclusion that life is meaningless and that all lives come to the same conclusion - death. I believe that once he realizes this, he becomes happy because he knows that his death by beheading will only speed up the inevitable and that if he had lived past his execution, he would have only died later without accomplishing anything new and of meaning. I think that Camus wants us to come to the same conclusion at the end of the book and to have us realize that life has no purpose and will only end with death.

Stranger Journal 8

Thesis to "The Stranger":

- Through Camus' use of dynamic characterization, the foil of the chaplain to Muersault , and the symbol of the crucifix, he shows that without believing in God or in a religion, life becomes a hopeless and meaningless task not worth undergoing.

Stranger Journal 7

Camus decides to split the book into two parts to better show how Meursault has changed throughout the different parts. Meursault seems to begin having various throughts and emotions, at one point during his trial, he had his first urge to cry in his life. Meursault, through his changing philosophy of his emotional and physical life, is shown as being a dynamic character through Camus' decision to split the book into two parts and his developing thoughts in part two. Also, Camus writes longer and more descriptive sentences in part two than he does in part one, while the pace of part two is also faster than the pace in part one.

Stranger Journal 6

Part 1

1. Word Choice

• The language used throughout the book is rather basic and easy to understand.
• Question: Why does Camus use such simple wording throughout the story?

2. Sentences

• The sentences Camus writes are very simple as well as short and to the point.
• Question: Why does Camus write in such short and simple sentences when narrating for Meursault?

3. Images

• The narrator oftentimes says its hot while talking of Meursalt and uses the sun a lot to convey this.
• Question: Why does Camus use the imagery of the sun so many times throughout the book?

4. Symbols

• Some symbols which stand out in the book are the symbols of the sun and the crucifix.
• Question: What is Camus trying to convey through the use of a crucifix as a symbol?

5. Figures of Speech

• Camus uses irony throughout the book when showing how when Meursault commits murder he doesn't seem to care, but seems rather annoyed.
• Question: What is Camus trying to get the reader to realize through his use of irony?

6. Rhetorical Devices

• The juxtapositioning of Meursault's character and those around him.
• Question: Why does Camus include such different characters in his book?

7. Patterns

• Camus uses the motif of heat and cigarettes.
• Question: What is Camus trying to convey to the reader when he uses the motif of cigarettes?

8. Narrator

• Told through 1st person with the main character being Meursault.
• Question: Why does Camus make Meursault's character seem so non-caring?

9. Structure

• The pace of the book as it progresses becomes increasingly faster and more stuff is happening in a seemingly shorter time period.
• Question: What effect is Camus trying to build with the increasing speed of the story as it progresses?

Part 2

Question: "Why does Camus make his characters seem so simple?" (Harbolt)
Thesis: Camus makes his characters seem so simple to show how their lives are not important emotionally, but rather physically.

Question:"Why does Camus use simple vocabulary to describe a book that is formal?" (V)
Thesis: Camus uses such simple vocabulary throughout his book to highlight how seemingly meaningless Meursault's life is.

Question: "Why doesn't Camus just use long sentences to describe things in detail?" (Britni)
Thesis: Camus uses shorter sentences throughout the book to show how Meursault does not seem to care much of his situation.

Question: "Why does Camus describe the appearance of people so much more than anything else?" (Connor)
Thesis: Camus describes the appearance of people more than anything else of a person to show how the physical life is more important than the mental life.

Question: "What is Camus's purpose through portraying the sun?" (V)
Thesis: Camus uses the symbol of the sun to show how Meursault is oftentimes making bad decisions when under pressure and the heat of the sun.

Question: "Does Camus intend for his irony to create comical scenes?" (Harbolt)
Thesis: Camus, through his use of irony, tries to depict the differences in his characters he uses throughout his book and juxtaposes them with each other and their different beliefs.

Question: "Why does Camus make Meursault awkward around others?" (Harbolt)
Thesis: Camus makes Meursault's character always awkward when around others to show how they have different beliefs and act differently according to their philosophies towards life.

Question: "Why does Camus almost never describe specific physical details of other important characters?" (Britni)
Thesis: Camus almost never describes physical details of others because he wants to show how these characters live their lives in accordance to their emotional rather than their physical life.

Question: "Why does Camus use these different speeds in the passage of time?" (Harbolt)
Thesis:Camus uses the different speeds in the passage of time to show how the conflict between Meursault and other characters increase.

Stranger Journal 5

My personal philosophy affects the way I read the book because I am more likely to like the characters which share my thoughts and beliefs than those who don't. I begin to form different thoughts of characters and my opinion of them will change through the differences in our beliefs. I also tend to like the books and characters that follow my beliefs and philosophy.

Stranger Journal 4

The Sun

• "Once out in the street [...] the day, already bright with sun, hit me like a slap in the face." (Camus 47) - This passage shows how the sun and the day are almost his enemy and are bullying him around.
• "Out in the deeper water we floated on our backs and the sun on my upturned face was drying the last of the water trickling into my mouth." (Camus 50) - This shows how the sun was drying up Meursault, and could symbolize how the sun is dry like Meursault, or is making him dry.
• "The sun was shining almost directly overhead onto the sand, and the glare on the water was unbearable." (Camus 52) - Meursault is starting to become more annoyed with the sun shining off the water and bearing down on him.
• "By now the sun was overpowering. It shattered into little pieces on the sand and water." (Camus 55) - Again, the sun is almost portrayed as a god and is overpowering Meursault. It is also inescapable since it is bouncing off of everything.
• "I was walking slowly toward the rocks and I could feel my forehead swelling under the sun. All that heat was pressing down on me and making it hard for me to go on. And every time I felt a blast of its hot breath strike my face, I gritted my teeth, clenched my fists in my trouser pockets, and strained every nerve in order to overcome the sun and the thick drunkenness it was spilling over me." (Camus 57) - The personification of the sun could symbolize god always looking and breathing down on you. Meursault also does not like it and seems to always want to be escaping it.
• "The sun was the same as it had been the day I'd burried Maman, and like then, my forehead especially was hurting me, all the veins in it throbbing under the skin." (Camus 59) - The sun seems to be in Meursault's everyday life and it seems to be always hurting him.

Smoking/Cigarettes

• "I didn't have to explain to them, so I just shut up, smoked a cigarette, and looked at sea." (Camus 54) - Smoking seems to be something that Meursault always does when he doesn't want to think.

Journal 3

Dahamadra

• There is no superior being controlling or messing with our individual lives - This is important to me because i believe that life is a game of choice and not of submission. You are able to make your own decisions in life where there is no "superior being" telling you what to do. This principle developed in me after my realization that nothing is really helping you out when you need it and ask for it unless you yourself do something about it.
• There is no afterlife, you live in the moment - This dawned on me when i asked myself what happens to you and your thoughts after you die. I believe this because I think life was created to enjoy what is happening during it and not after it.
• Happiness is the ultimate goal in a person's life - Without happiness, life is generally not worth living. This is why I think it is the ultimate goal in one's life. People strive during their lifetimes and work very hard to gain happiness, not to lose it, and it is the one goal everyone in the world works towards to achieve.
• To lead a just life you must seek to aquire a good will - Seeking to acquire a good will allows for people to seek happiness in their life. This is important because by trying to do good, you may live a just and meaningful life. This happened to dawn on me after I thought of happiness and how it could be achieved.
• Life and the world is based on good rather than evil - All life is based on good, not evil, because if it were not, the world would destroy itself. Nature maintains a balance because of how life is based on good rather than evil, as seen through humans and their ability to coexist peacefully in many different areas of the world.
• Humans have a materialistic mindset towards life - This is because to survive, people need different possessions. They also strive toward this mindset in order to achieve happiness, and therefore, to achieve their ultimate goal in life.
• There is no such thing as fate - I believe this because I believe people have ultimate control over their lives and how they choose to live it. I don't believe in a superior being, nor do i believe in fate because people have choices and is a necessity for life and happiness.

Stranger Journal 2

Meursault's activities during the first two chapters are not too interesting. The story is written without much explanation or insight of what is happening to him at different parts of the novel and gives the reader only a very brief explanation into what Meursault is doing or thinking at the time. Meursault also does not seem to think too much but is fully in control of his thoughts and what he does throughout the beginning of the book. Camus creates a character like Meursault to better show the reader how the philosophy of existentialism is created through the personalities and thoughts of his protagonist.

Stranger Journal 1

Both passages seem to set the same tone and mood of the scene but are written differently. In the first one, the sentences are much shorter and get right to the point, while in the second one it gives the reader more context and talks more of what is happening throughout that part of the story. The first story also shows a lot more uncertainty in the way the main character thinks. He includes words such as could, some, should, and perhaps to show how he is not too sure of things. The first translation also has contains a more formal tone, using phrases such as "The Home For Aged Persons" compared to the second translation, which says "The old people's home". These differences allow for the reader to contrast the two versions and may allow for them to relate to one more than the other.

Journal 9

The structure of the story is very significant to the readers interpretation of the story. Oftentimes throughout Their Eyes Were Watching God, chapters begin or end with a sentence or paragraph that uses figurative language or highlights a symbol. These often make the reader try and pay more attention to the beginnings and endings and to what Hurston is trying to convey to them. Also, the ending of the book is a great example of one of these types of endings Hurston often uses. She fills the ending with a deep passage which talks of how perfect Tea Cake was, and a reader could easilly pick out themes from the closing paragraphs of the book.

Journal 7 & 8

Mrs. Turner’s relationship with her husband makes her feel more powerful. Mr. Turner does not seem to be too powerful or confident which was apparent in Chapter 17 during the bar fight at their restaurant where he did not step up and stop the fight or help his wife while she was on the ground after being knocked down. Mr. Turner also tells Tea Cake, when confronted by him about Mrs. Turner hanging around at his house, that his wife does anything she wants to because she is so strong headed. This causes him to take a lower role in their marriage, while Mrs. Turner makes most of the decisions in their relationship. Their relationship compared to Janie and Tea Cake’s is very different. While both Janie and Tea Cake take on very important roles in their relationship and stand up for each other and hold power within their relationship, the Turners are the complete opposite with only one person doing most of the work and holding most of the power within their relationship.

The title, Their Eyes Were Watching God, is significant because it tells us how many of the characters, such as Janie, view religion and nature. During the hurricane in Chapter 18, the characters trying to escape God’s wrath oftentimes are questioning God and looking up to Him. It shows how many of the characters rely on God and how they are never fully in control of anything. The title talks of how the characters in the book will always be looking to God for answers and to show them their next step in life as well as to show that nature and God are always in control of their lives.

Journal 6

Personification

-"The train beat on itself and danced on the shiny steel rails mile after mile." (Hurston, 116)
-Hurston uses this personification of the train dancing on the rails to portray the happiness of the scene. Janie, who was on the train, was happy that she and Tea Cake were finally going to get married and by using this personification, it brings out her enthusiasm and joy.

Simile

-"But, don't care how firm your determination is, you can't keep turning round in one place like a horse grinding sugar cane." (Hurston, 118)
-This simile, used to describe Janie's fading determination to find her money she had had in her pocket, also helps give the reader an insight to Janie's character. She realizes that if you are stuck in one place, you will not find what you are looking for no matter how long you look for it. Janie represents this because when she was tied down into her marriage with Logan and things were not the way she had wanted them to be. But later, when she meets Jody, she becomes happy for the time being because she changed up the way she thought and acted. She did this again when she moved on to Tea Cake and is now happier then she was before. Janie, throughout the story, seems to be happier when she is constantly changing up her life.

Metaphor

-"A little seed of fear was growing into a tree. Maybe some day Tea Cake would weaken." (Hurston, 136)
-This metaphor is used at the beginning of chapter 15 to show how Janie is becoming worried of Tea Cake. Tea Cake has been hanging around with another woman, Nunkie, and Janie is becoming increasingly fearful of Tea Cake possibly cheating on her with Nunkie. A seed was growing into a tree, meaning that she was beginning to become more concerned of their love for each other as time went on and maybe Tea Cake was beginning to give in to someone else's love.

Journal 5

Janie's motivation throughout chapters 11 and 12 is to become who she truly is. Without Jody to be there and impose his will on her, Janie becomes more like her true self. With the arrival of Tea Cake, she has been able to come out of her box and be herself whithout being controlled like she was under Jody. Tea Cake allows for Janie to be herself and have fun, unlike Jody or Logan, who felt like they needed to control her and give her work to distract her from being herself. Tea Cake, in Janie's eyes, resembled what love truly was, and on page 106, she says, "He looked like the love thoughts of women. He could be a bee to a blossom - a pear tree blossom in the spring." What she means by this is that he is meant for her. Her symbol throughout the book has been the pear tree, and Tea Cake, symbolized by the bee, is trulyright for her style of life.

Journal 4

Then Alex began to recall pride. Pride, that boastful figure with a stout frame who walks in confidence. The Outspoken one who lives in each and everyone of us like a welcome infection with unlimited boundaries. What need does pride have for a shut chest, and what ill ointment can work against him? He sits in sight of all seven seas, overlooking all people. Sitting on his throne, ruling with an iron fist, waiting for an emissary to summon him. He has sat on his grand chair ruling fair above the world, to bear the weight of entirety for as long as the stairway into heaven has been open. Alex was bound to find that eagle perched above him one day. He was scared, yet delighted. Poor Drew! He ought not have shut out that eagle of his. Alex asked Andrew to go in and suggest to allow for a meeting, but Drew answered No. The counselors wuz all right with the Devilish good Drew was shutting out, but could not figure his reasoning. He'd be fine as long as he decided to begin riding the high horse. He wasn't going to cower down. That is what he believed. But Andrew had told him differently, realizing there was nothing to be done. Even without Andrew's comment, he was going to find out the next day, for fellow students began to occupy Junior Hall between tall rows of lockers and between classrooms. Students who before felt threatened by the stretch of hallway allowed themselves to take a peak into the unfolding event. Positioned themselves close to the edge of the hall and paused. Power, that great dictator, had shadowed over the hall.

Journal #3: Chapter 4 Literary Techniques

1: Pg. 27, Simile


-"Logan held his wad of tobacco real still in his jaw like a thermometer of his feelings while he studied Janie's face and waited for her to say something."


-The author uses this simile in the book to more meaningfully show Logan's character. Logan seems to be portrayed in the chapter as hot-headed. By using a thermometer within the passage, it shows that Logan get get easily tempered and shows that his thoughts and feelings can very easily change with different situations. The passage also focuses on his stillness and him waiting for Janie's response. This simile shows how Logan can be somewhat unpredictible like the weather.

2: Pg. 27, Imagery

-"It was a cityfied, stylish dressed man with his hat set at an angle that didn't belong in these parts. His coat was over his arm, but he didn't need it to represent his clothes. The shirt with the silk sleeveholders was dazzling enough for the world."

-The author includes this imagery in the passage to create a vivid picture of the man he is describing. She wants to show the reader that the man is rich and was an unusual site in Janie's town. The imagery also wants us to discover why Janie was so attracted to this man.

3: Pg. 29, Symbol


-"Janie pulled back a long time because he did not represent sun-up and pollen and blooming trees, but he spoke for far horizon."


-The author uses the symbols of the sun-up, the blooming trees and the far horizon to show how Janie felt about Jody Sparks. Jody did not represent the sun-up, the pollen, and the blooming trees because he did not seem to display change or bring in new life, but rather represented the far horizon, a symbol for far-off dreams. Janie hesitated about being with Jody instead of Logan, but in the end, decided that even though Jody did not represent some of the things she wanted in a man, he did offer the hope of accomplishing dreams, which Janie admired.




4: Pg. 31, Personification


-"The sun from ambush was threatening the world with red daggers, but the shadows were gray and solid-looking around the barn."


-The personification of the sun acting like a soldier waiting in ambush with red daggers is used to indicate an unpleasant mood. The author is trying to set up a tense scene full of conflict between Janie and Logan. The personification of the sun and the words used throughout the passage is not only used to make the point that the sun is becoming very hot, but also to create an increasingly fiery tension between Janie and Logan.

5: Pg. 32, Epiphany

-"A feeling of sudden newness and change came over her. Janie hurried out of the front gate and turned south. Even if Joe was not there waiting for her, the change was bound to do her good."

-In this passage, Janie suddenly realizes that she needs to make a change in her life and needed to escape her current life. Through the epiphany, the author is showing us how Janie is a dynamic character that begins to change throughout the story. Janie is becoming increasingly unhappy with her marriage with Logan and realizes this after their fight and opposing views of working. Janie decides in this passage that she would probably be better off with Joe and a new life rather than with Logan and her current life.

Journal 2

The story Zora Neale Hurston wrote takes place in West Florida not long after the civil war had ended, at a time where African-Americans were treated unfairly and oftentimes mistreated by people in the South. This setting allows for the reader to see how and where characters in the book were raised and gives some of the characters their personalities. The setting builds on the Southern atmosphere and gives the reader an insight to a close-knit community in the South where the protagonist is from and her history.

Journal 1

The narration differs from the dialect in that they are written in almost two different languages. The dialect is spoken and written in a Southern accent while the narration is written in a more formal manner. The effect of this difference is that it it highlights the Southern accent throughout the book and allows for the reader to experience the story and its setting as well as its atmosphere more vividly. It makes the reader feel closer to the book and its events and creates a southern atmosphere through the juxtopositioning of the language used in the narration and that used in the dialect.