Got me thinking...

   So I was just wondering why Gulliver decides to even stay in Lilliput after he is set free. Dr. Mitchell-Buck asked this question in class and it resonated with me. Of course if Gulliver left there would be no story but it honestly doesn't make sense for him to even humor these small little terrors when he's waayy bigger. And how can he not escape them before they get to Lilliput? He has a gone and just the fact that he's a giant to their tiny little bodies gives him an automatic advantage. I mean really? He even signs a contract which is so silly and comical. So this line of thought got me to thinking. The Lilliputians represent the various groups of Protestants (Whigs and Tories) in Britain. Swift is satirizing these Protestants and various other political parties. These groups argue over silly things and this is represented by the Lilliputians'  arguments such as  high heels and eggs issue. Why does it matter whether you wear high heels or not or an egg is supposed to be cracked? These squabbles are comical and idiotic; they emphasize how illogical these religious and political groups are being during this time in Britain. My questions is if the Lilliputians represent the various groups of Protestants (Whigs and Tories) in Britain who does Gulliver represent? 
     Well, I'm thinking that Gulliver may represent the common folk of London. If there about 2 million people in London during this time that means there is a bigger population of normal folk than high society, religious, and political groups. A small amount of elite rule a huge population of people just working to get food, clothes, and a better place in society. Huh? That doesn't sound right. Why aren't  the middle and poor class (who make up the biggest part of the population) able to make their own rules for themselves? Perhaps Swift is satirizing this problem right here. Gulliver is bigger, but gullibe (hence the name) and a little too nice and naive. His choices don't make sense. He stays in Lilliput. He signs a contract requiring specific behavior and tasks of him. Yet He's BIGGER and stronger. Why does he let himself be ruled under the thumb of tiny little terrors he can just crush under his feet? Maybe Swift is asking people to think of how ridiculous society works. 
     This book has really got me thinking about our present society because we don't really question how our own society and government. Oh we have lots of complaints and beliefs maybe but we do nothing about it. Us normal people are too busy working, going to school, and trying to make a life for ourselves to really ensure that our society isn't controlled by rich people sitting behind big oak desks signing our lives away. However, I do have to say our society has come a long way in time and maybe that's what we need. The world needs time to figure out some things and stop worrying about little petty tiffs...I guess. I'm not sure yet. 

Post 2 of 1

Not That Bad

This was my first time reading Paradise Lost and I have to say that I enjoyed the experience. It was such dense material that I was drawn into it from the beginning. It was interesting to see the perspective of Satan after his fall rather than that of God's, an angel's, or human's. The image painted of hell was so much of an opposite picture of  what it is commonly portrayed as. Milton's portrayal made me think so much differently of how hell could really be when I was raised to think it was only a deep dark hole of fire with an eternal burning lake. I think Milton's technique of utilizing Lucifer's perspective to emphasize God's grace and mercy was the most unique and creative way to do so and it caught my attention. I also enjoyed destructing the sentences and diction to get to the meat of what Milton was saying. Overall, I think my fist interaction with this novel was one that wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and I would like to read the rest of it...maybe.

3 out of  2

Just some thoughts...

What really interested me about Part 1 of Paradise Lost was Miltion's ability to portray God as this merciful, benevolent power. By giving Lucifer free will he looks even more like the God you would not want to betray because he bestows goodness and grace; he gives his creations free will and the ability to make all their own choices. Because of God's portrayal, Lucifer's choice to rebel looks a little silly. I mean why be chained and have to live your life in God's disfavor when you can enjoy his generosity and compassion? Lucifer's choice reminded me of Doctor Faustus. Why commit your soul to forever burning in hell so you can play silly, cruel jokes when you could have just lived in the favor of God (after repenting) and went to Heaven? It seems so pointless. Maybe Milton did this to emphasize Adam's and Eve's decision to disobey God. He contrasts the goodwill of God with the Lucifer's evil machinations. Anyway these are just some thoughts to wrap our discussion from this past week.

Post 3 of 4

What Goes Around Doesn't Really Come Around

So I've always been obsessed with titles of novels and plays. How do these titles relate to the plot or theme or characters? Sometimes the titles are so obscure that I just give up. In our last discussion of the novel, we were discussing the Duke's motives and his actions. He wanted to whip the people back into shape because they were lazy fat lions. By giving power to Angelo, a cold-hearted tyrant, the Duke is effectively ensuring people began to obey the rules without doing so himself. The Duke is also analyzing or "measuring" the performance of Angelo in his absence. Is he really a good employee? Is he someone to be trusted? It's cool, I guess. So I figured that's why the play is entitled Measure for Measure; the Duke is measuring Angelo's performance. But, when I think of the phrase "measure for measure," it reminds of "what goes around comes around" or "you reap what sow." I just think it means that I'll give you or do to you exactly what you give me or do to me. So I was trying to figure out how the Duke is able to apply the punishment or sentence that Angelo deserves. In my opinion, Angelo doesn't get what he deserves. He gets married. What kind of punishment is that for almost executing a man and blackmailing a female into sex. This isn't "measure for measure." I'm just confused. I guess it all ties back into idea of mercy and justice as we discussed in class. Though, I may think death or at least jail would have righted the wrongs of Angelo, maybe an unwanted marriage was a far worst punishment. Welp...here my thoughts to wrap up Measure for Measure.

Blog Challenge Post 2 of 5.

Avoidance Behavior...?

Though we've moved on to Doctor Fuastus' rather silly shenanigans, I am still trying to think of why anyone in their right mind would sell their soul to the devil. We were instructed to think of his past. In our last class, we established that he obviously has nothing else to live for, hence his decision to sell his soul to the devil. He's some lonely guy who has nothing better to do than decide to learn all he could about hell. I'm sure if he had a wife and children, he'd be too busy chasing them around to even think about writing away his soul with his own blood. Or maybe he's just some pompous and prideful guy who decides being a doctor just isn't enough ( not enough accolades *rolls eyes*) to feed his ego. Either way he still has way too much time on his hands and no real friends because a real friend would have surely knocked some sense into his head (I hope). Obviously this guy has some serious issues. Anyway I found this cartoon and thought it fit Doctor Faustus so well...

It's not too funny if you don't know what avoidance behavior is, so I did some light research. Basically, avoidance behavior is someone who is socially inhibited, is sensitive to negative criticism, struggles with feelings of inadequacy and avoids social interactions. People with this issue are lonely, anxious, and isolated. I think Doctor Faustus fits the bill. He avoids the world (i.e. no wife, no kids, no friends), becomes isolated and lonely, and then decides to sell his soul to the devil.