What to Say Upon Being Asked to Be Friends

By Julian Talamantez Brolaski

 

Why speak of hate, when I do bleed for love?

Not hate, my love, but Love doth bite my tongue

Till I taste stuff that makes my rhyming rough

So flatter I my fever for the one

For whom I inly mourn, though seem to shun.

A rose is arrows is eros, so what

If I confuse the shade that I’ve become

With winedark substance in a lover’s cup?

But stop my tonguely wound, I’ve bled enough.

If I be fair, or false, or freaked with fear

If I my tongue in lockèd box immure

Blame not me, for I am sick with love.

     Yet would I be your friend most willingly

     Since friendship would infect me killingly.

The Power Of Words

After the debacle with Mr.Norton, the narrator is forced to speak with Mr. Bledsoe. Although Mr.Norton had told him not to blame the narrator for the inconvenience, Mr.Bledsoe didn't let it go. Instead of giving him another chance, Bledsoe immediately expelled the narrator from the school. However, Bledsoe tells him he must work in New York to earn the money to return to school and pay his tuition. Foolishly, the narrator leaves with seven recommendation letters that would help him get a job in the North and gain the money he needs.

Trusting the dean, the narrator delivers six of the letters, and is surprised when he does not recieve an answer from any of them. When he has only one letter left, the narrator decides to give his last letter personally to Mr.Emerson since he believes probably thir secretaries are involved with the missing letters.

When he arrived to Mr.Emerson's office and is attended by his son who read the letter, he learns Mr.Bledsoe had ruined his future. By only writing bad things about the narrator, Mr.Bledsoe had enough power to prevent the narrator from getting a job and returning to college.

Mr.Bledsoe carefully used some words to manipulate the narrator to leave and by the same means he wrote some few words that prevented the speaker from succeeding in New York. This shows the power just one person can have over another and how words are so powerful in the text. Mr.Bledsoe could be the one that lead the narrator to become invisible.

The Thick Bold Line

There are not supposed to be so many differences between black and white people. However, instead of being blurry, the line between these two races is rather thick and bold. There is a clear point of view towards the members of each race, and even the characters themselves support these differences. Shortly after the period of slavery, racism in not nearly forgotten.

Although white southern people were the ones distinguishing African Americans as different, the same black race, differs themselves and sometimes even consider themselves inferior. I make this harsh statement, due to the attitude of the speaker and basically everyone in the Golden Day, at the time of the debacle. When Mr.Norton loses consciousness, the speaker becomes desperate seeking for help and a drink for the white man. When Halley refuses to sell whiskey-to go, the speaker begs him to make an exception because it is for a white man, trustee of the college he attends. Anyways, Halley declines, and the speaker has no choice but bring him in.

When they enter the tavern, all the black men make jokes about the white man, saying he is Thomas Jefferson and refer to him as the "Messiah", making an ironic joke, giving Mr.Norton absurd importance only because he is a white man. However, as the chaos is about to end, the veteran that helped wake Mr.Norton, mocks his intentions of remaining as a helper of the college and insults him by doubting his interest. At this moment, we are able to see how sometimes Afro-Americans think less of themselves due to what society has taught, since the speaker thinks much more of Mr.Norton than what the white man thinks of him.

The speaker's innocence is seen here, where he just admires white men that helped build the college because thanks to them, he has now many opportunities. However, he ignores history and these men's true intentions not realizing they are all equal. Due to this, a man in the taverns says to the speaker, "he is just a man." The thick line between white and black people is clearly seen, showing the misconception of society. Even when they go back to the school, the one to be punished is the speaker, if it weren't for what Mr.Norton said to Dr.Bledsoe. I believe it was the veteran's comments that made Mr.Norton realize how he was indirectly affecting kids like the speaker, and therefore decided to protect him.

Shortly, Reverend Barbee gives a speech about the Founder of the college, and how he fought his hard life as a slave and the obstacles that were present in his life to succeed in escaping and building such a college. Barbee's speech deeply moves the speaker, perhaps making a comparison with Mr.Norton. Just like the Founder is admired for his hard work and accomplishments, the speaker worships the white man for helping establish the school.

Invisibility

A new concept of invisibility is introduced by the speaker of the novel. Through the entire prologue, the speaker talks about his invisibility that has been an advantage for him but constantly a frustration as well. He makes it clear it is not a condition nor a "spook,"( Ellison 3) however, he is invisible because people have chosen not to see him.

The speaker proves people are blind when it comes to him, by telling a story about this. After accidentally bumping to a blonde white man that insulted him, he tries to get the man to apologize, but as the man refuses, he loses control and nearly killed him. After reading about it on the newspaper, the speaker laughs and truly believes it wasn't his fault. It was the blonde man's fault since he didn't apologize. He even says that if the police had come, they would have obviously blamed him.

This statement brings an important theme, racism. Since the beginning, we learn that the speaker is black, which says a lot about his invisibility, maybe even the major reason of it. The speaker being invisible is just a metaphor to a much bigger concept, racism. We can infer this since slavery and black people are a theme discussed even by the characters. Supposedly, slavery at the time of the speaker had already ended, and equality in America is now present. However, black men remain separate, even by attending a different college for young black men. Even when the speaker gives his speech, white men laugh at him and ridicule his race by forcing only black men to fight for their own entertainment. Although slavery had stopped, colored men were still treated as property and animals, laughing at how they tried to get fake coins and bills on an electrified rug.

Anyways, the speaker is given a scholarship for the college of black people, continuing with the separation of races. However, he is considered lucky or this, and even rides a white founder of the college around the campus. They talk about what they see and as they see Jim Trueblood, his story comes up to discussion. Living in a small home that used to be a slave quarter, Trueblood had sex with his own daughter. Disturbed by the situation, the white man, Mr.Norton, wishes to speak with the black man. Even though Trueblood committed a terrible crime, Norton ends up giving him money for his kids, just like every other white man does instead of punishing him for his horrific actions.

Her Last Breath

Edna was determined to terminate her life. In the previous pages we see how she
"walked on down to the beach rather mechanically," (Chopin 212) since "there was
no one thing in the world that she desired." (Chopin 212) Edna diminishes her
family as she says they are not important enough in order for her to stay alive.
Chopin uses a metaphor of a bird to compare how Edna was struggling to stay
alive. She says, "a bird with a broken wing was beating the air above, reeling,
fluttering, circling disabled down, down to the water," (Chopin 212) to describe
Mrs.Pontellier's situation. Edna tried to 'fly' and keep on living, but since
there was no longer a reason for her to fight for her life, she fell into the
water just like the bird. Her end was the ocean, where she would finally
die.

Shortly, Edna describes the moment when she began to get naked to
get in the water. Various techniques such al imagery, metaphor, and allusions
are used by Chopin to depict Edna's finale. One of her most remarkable
teqhniques is repetition. This repetition doesnt't consist of repeating words,
but of repeating life. Edna terminates her life the same way she started it,
naked and innocent.

Edna says, "[Leonce and the children are part of my
life] but they need not have thought that they could possess [my] body and
soul." (Chopin 213) As she thinks this, there is a clear relation with her
childhood, that she had just remembered. However, by saying this she makes a
comparison to her birth since she is not owed by anyone at this point, just like
she wasn't owed by society when she was young.

Edna is obviously ready to
commit suicide, since her actions and thoughts indicate it. Although her ending
in not clear, I believe she never changed her mind since every step, showed a
step forward to her death. "Her arms and legs were growing tired" (Chopin 213),
says Chopin. This doesn't only mean her literal body exhaustion, but she giving
up on her life. Once again, she repeats that thought by saying, "Exhaustion was
pressing upon and overpowering her." (Chopin 214) These last feelings show her
female vulnerability and her decision of giving up.

However, when the
moment of death approaches, Edna changes her mind for a brief moment. I allow
myself to make this accusation since Robert's words repeat in Edna's head,
reminding her of the reason why she is commiting suicide and doubting if Doctor
Mandelet would have undestood her. "Perhaps Doctor Mandelet would have
understood if she had seen him - but it was too late; the shore was far behind
her, and her strength was gone." (Chopin 214) The use of the lond dash in this
quote, makes a pause to her thoughts, allowing the reader to think what would
have been of her if Doctor Mandelet had understood. Would she be in a different
situation? Anyways, she thinks of going back, but this if just for a second
since she instantly says "it was too late". She doesn't even fight for her life
after thinking about this because she is too far from the shore, really meaning
that she has come too far to change her mind at this point.

Once again
the same theme is brought up. "She looked into the distance, and the old terror
flamed up for an instant, then sank again." (Chopin 214) Edna once again doubts
about her decision, but she quickly goes back to her goal of terminating her
life. She believes killing herself would be the end, but "the barking of an old
dog that was chained to the sycamore tree," (Chopin 214) proves to her that
suicide wasn't the soulution. Maybe her body could escape, but her soul would
always be encarcelated and chained to her tragic life.

Freedom

LIBERTY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFXkFMUld9I&feature=youtu.be

The Cage

ENCARCELATED

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ra_stmq4Lw&context=C4fe9336ADvjVQa1PpcFPJp_gixGOWKhu1glbGJgIugWufHqY0RKQ=

The F Word

FEMINISM

Her Last Breath

Edna was determined to terminate her life. In the previous pages we see how she "walked on down to the beach rather mechanically," (Chopin 212) since "there was no one thing in the world that she desired." (Chopin 212) Edna diminishes her family as she says they are not important enough in order for her to stay alive. Chopin uses a metaphor of a bird to compare how Edna was struggling to stay alive. She says, "a bird with a broken wing was beating the air above, reeling, fluttering, circling disabled down, down to the water," (Chopin 212) to describe Mrs. Pontellier's situation. Edna tried to 'fly' and keep on living, but since there was no longer a reason for her to fight for her life, she fell into the water just like the bird. Her end was the ocean, where she would finally die.

Shortly, Edna describes the moment when she began to get naked to get in the water. Various techniques such al imagery, metaphor, and allusions are used by Chopin to depict Edna's finale. One of her most remarkable teqhniques is repetition. This repetition doesnt't consist of repeating words, but of repeating life. Edna terminates her life the same way she started it, naked and innocent.

Edna says, "[Leonce and the children are part of my life] but they need not have thought that they could possess [my] body and soul." (Chopin 213) As she thinks this, there is a clear relation with her childhood, that she had just remembered. However, by saying this she makes a comparison to her birth since she is not owed by anyone at this point, just like she wasn't owed by society when she was young.

Edna is obviously ready to commit suicide, since her actions and thoughts indicate it. Although her ending in not clear, I believe she never changed her mind since every step, showed a step forward to her death. "Her arms and legs were growing tired" (Chopin 213), says Chopin. This doesn't only mean her literal body exhaustion, but she giving up on her life. Once again, she repeats that thought by saying, "Exhaustion was pressing upon and overpowering her." (Chopin 214) These last feelings show her female vulnerability and her decision of giving up.

However, when the moment of death approaches, Edna changes her mind for a brief moment. I allow myself to make this accusation since Robert's words repeat in Edna's head, reminding her of the reason why she is commiting suicide and doubting if Doctor Mandelet would have undestood her. "Perhaps Doctor Mandelet would have understood if she had seen him - but it was too late; the shore was far behind her, and her strength was gone." (Chopin 214) The use of the long dash in this quote, makes a pause to her thoughts, allowing the reader to think what would have been of her if Doctor Mandelet had understood. Would she be in a different situation? Anyways, she thinks of going back, but this if just for a second since she instantly says "it was too late". She doesn't even fight for her life after thinking about this because she is too far from the shore, really meaning that she has come too far to change her mind at this point.

Once again the same theme is brought up. "She looked into the distance, and the old terror flamed up for an instant, then sank again." (Chopin 214) Edna once again doubts about her decision, but she quickly goes back to her goal of terminating her life. She believes killing herself would be the end, but "the barking of an old dog that was chained to the sycamore tree," (Chopin 214) proves to her that suicide wasn't the soulution. Maybe her body could escape, but her soul would always be encarcelated and chained to her tragic life.

OMG You're So Late!

Instead of scolding his wife, why doesn't Mr.Pontellier get a secretary to take care of his business? Edna shouldn't be obligated to stay in every Tuesday to take care of the family's social life to give them a good impression so Léonce's business remaines intact. Hello we are now in the 21st century! WOMEN ARE NOT MEANT TO STAY AT HOME!!! Let Mrs.Pontellier go out whenever she wants instead of taking care of her husband's business. Let her paint if that is what she wants to be. I know centuries ago the only famous artists were male; Vincent Van Gogh, Leonardo Da Vinvi, Jackson Pollock, Edgar Degas, Paul Monet, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, etc, but in the 21st century, Edna Pontellier could have a title.

Cliché

It actually seems like Kate Chopin is narrating another story like those of Nicholas Sparks. To me, this story resembles "The Notebook". Just like Noah, Robert is a good man that would be hard not to miss. Edna is not the only one who misses the man, but surely who misses him the most.

Allie fell in love with Noah, and although she first hid her feelings like Edna, her love always remained. Also during summer, the young couple had a brief romance, which they had to end due to Allie's parents dissaproval of unwealthy Noah. However, the love they felt since they were young was hard to avoid, forcing them to fall back together after 14 long years. The lovers couldn't be separated because their love was too strong, and they were both willing to fight for the relationship that would last over 35 years, until Allie got Alzheimer's disease. Even though there were many obstacles before these two could be able to be together, they never gave up on their love.

"The Notebook" is however just another cliché love story. We know that The Awakening narrates a story between Robert and Edna, but we don't know for sure it will have the perfect happy ending like all other romace novels. Regardless, the similarities are evident, making the novella somehow a love story too. However, the big question is, will Edna and Robert remain good friends, or will they grow into being lovers?

Love Over Power

Many look at women as inferior to men. Even women sometimes have these perception of themselves. Edna is one of them. A woman that doesn't realize women are equal to men, and permits others to treat her unjustly, only by the difference of her sex. She allows her husband Léonce to command her without previously realizing how she diminishes herself. She also places herself at the bottom, even by the way she speaks. She doesn't know how to swim, but when she does it for the first time, "she wanted to swim far out, where no woman had swum before".(Chopin 60) The use of her words, as she says "where no woman has swum before", diminishes the female sex, since she wants to overcome other women but not men. She doesn't even bother to say she would like to go beyond, where men have swum. But why would she diminish herself if there is a man that besides being of the superior sex, places her above him? He is always there for her and cares for her. Will she prefer Robert kindness than her prestigious husband Léonce? Maybe love will overcome marriage. Robert does not deny Mrs.Pontellier relationship status, but he does not deny his love either.

"Is she your sweetheart?"

"She's a married lady, and has two children,"(Chopin 71) Robert said when asked about Edna.

Infidelity

It it completely wrong to intrude in a marriage even though there are some kind of feelings involved with the third wheel?

I don't think it's right. Well a marriage is supposed to be eternally between two and there shouldn't be infidelities permitted.

So should I deny my attractions completely?

I have a husband. Children. A family! An infidelity couldn't be tolerated!

I know I should remonstrate instead of just slowly repulse him when he rests his head on my arm so, why don't I do it?

I will go to the beach with Adele and escape Robert. I should be away from him.

Do I really want to stay away from Robert Lebrun?

The Ocean

Sometimes I stand alone in the balcony of my apartment in Florida and I just stare into the ocean. Many things go through my mind. Memories, fantasies, dreams, and misteries perhaps. There are so many things that can keep you distracted, just be looking at the horizon. I am not sure what is it that gets my attention. The sun or the moon? The water? The stars? The wind's blow? People walking down the beach? Im not sure what is it that keeps me entertained from the 15th floor, but I just know it gives me a pleasant feeling. It gives me time to think and remember. To realize things I hadn't noticed. To question my place in Earth shortly after I realize how small I am in the world. Just be looking with my eyes, I question the entire world.

Others have similar ways of thinking. Sometimes by looking at the street. The roof or their home. By watching their family or just talking about life. For me it varies. It depends on where I am and what the situation is. But for Mrs. Pontellier, it is clear it is the water of the ocean. As she speaks with Adele about her thoughts, she confesses she wasn't thinking about what she was thinking. However, the conversation gets her to think and remember. She remembers abour her girlhood in Kentucky and how she got to marry Mr. Pontellier. Sometimes it's good to keep some emotions to oneself, but sometimes it's good to talk about them with someone, specially if it means a good friend like Mrs. Ratignolle.

The ocean allowed her to liberate her thoughts. She was able to remember and think about her past thanks to the tranquility of the water that "spoke to her soul".

She is Just a Woman

Feminism is present in almost all societies, especially in Eastern societies. Regardless, The Awakening's Mrs.Pontellier is part of feminist injustice. Although Mr. Pontellier seems to be the perfect husband, his title may be questioned twice. His wife asks him if he will come home for dinner, and he responds with doubtful body language, and she accepts it. This shows how Mr. Pontellier has the authority and how he has complete freedom upon his actions, regardless of his family. Further in the novella, feminism is seen more clearly, shortly after the Pontelliers get into a discussion about whether their son Raoul has fever or not. As Mr.s Pontellier declines his son being sick, Mr. Pontellier accuses her of a bad mother. "If it was not a mother's place to look after children, whose on earth was it?" (Chopin 21) As, Mr.Pontellier says this about women, he diminishes the female sex by pointing their roles as women. Females are meant to be house mothers, taking care of their children, he believes. But how about, if it's not the mother, then it must be the father who takes care of the infants. Nevertheless, the situation breaks Mrs.Pontellier, causing her incessant tears. Whether this is just a once in a lifetime situation, or one that occurs in the Pontellier family repeatedly, it may lead to an infidelity by Mrs. Pontellier. Could it be possible? Robert is around...