bleak house powerpoint

The Mystery of the Caves

The poem “The Mystery of the Caves” incorporates the story of a young speaker reading about a boy who was “lost wandering the labyrinths of caverns”. The poem makes good use of images and symbols to join the predicament of the lost boy, to the actual matters that the young speaker. Overall the boy in the story offers the speaker a sense of comfort as he’s suffering through the turbulent lifestyle of his parent’s dysfunctional marriage. The young speaker has the ability to connect to the story, to the point where the speaker and the character in his text become one and the same entity.

When the speaker describes the boy in the book as being “lost” in “labyrinths and caverns”, he indirectly introduces the state of his own affairs. These images serve to demonstrate the inner turmoil that he comes across later on in the poem. Floating toward the “light”(line 6)  symbolizes the peace the speaker dreams of having. Somersaulting back into the “black river”(line 8) however, represents the cyclical chain of challenges he encounters at home. The poem elaborates on the speaker’s difficulties in the subsequent quatrains, as he describes his mother leaving his father. The poet writes “the boy found it impossible to see, which passage lead to safety” (lines 15-16). This imagery serves as the metaphor for the situation that the speaker is in. Trapped, between the crises of his parents’ relationship, he finds it tough to find a path of clarity, and a solid outlet to which he could resort to. The boy’s “last match”(line 18) in turn becomes the speakers means of a final spark, or chance at an escape from suffering. The sixth quatrain symbolizes the toll the speaker’s parents’ physical abuse upon another, has in turn on him. Again, the use of imagery, by using the boy’s story displays the emotions that the speaker feels. Incapable to “breathe”(line 23) and thinking he wanted “help” (line 24), symbolizes the speaker’s own screams for help, as he deals with the suffocating situation at home.

The last two quatrains could also argue that the speaker has matured, and is recollecting his past memories through the boy. Although he cannot recall the whole tale, he worries that the boy is “still searching below the earth”(line 35). This imagery symbolizes the idea that even though he’s matured, the speaker is still trying to find a place of peace, and genuine happiness. The ”volumes of water” and “stone” (line 37-38) are just mere obstacles, and hardships that he must overcome. Crying his name among “blind fish” (line 39), symbolizes a world that’s at chaos, and not listening to him, just like his parents. The final line reaffirms that what the speaker is yearning for the most is a place of stability and harmony, “home”. Thus the labyrinth of caves is overall a symbolism for the struggles which center around the speaker’s family, and lead him on a pursuit of a true “home”.

existentialism journal questions

first 5   Journal questions:
I disagree about existence being absurd and that the true meaning is impossible. I believe that God put us all here on earth to serve a specific purpose. Whether it is serving as CEO of a billion dollar company, or just being a homeless person on the street, we were all put here to experience life and take our part as children of God. Although not everyone gets to have the equal opportunity at wealth and success, our existence still serves all the more meaningful to our creator. Often we fail to see our purpose in life, and lack to find any actual connotation. However it certainly is not impossible. For some it might happen later than others. Then there are people that find a spiritual calling from God, and choose a path of servitude, like priesthood or joining the convent. That in essence I think is probably the most beautiful and devoted route in life one might take. Most people find their true meaning in life to be their family. Family life although common is nonetheless rewarding and important. Knowing that one has brought new life into the world, and now has the responsibility of crafting a baby into an intelligent individual is one of the most satisfying opportunities one can experience.

I agree that our day to day existence could be filled with anxiety and fear. Children are always worrying what a new school day might bring, what grade they’ll receive, how their games will turn out. Adults are always running up and about at their jobs, trying to put money on the table, having mouths to feed, keeping up a healthy relationship with their spouse or significant other, maintaining the home and physique, worrying about the crumbling economy and unemployment. The elderly have their health to keep them worried, lack of good benefits, health insurance, death! I don’t think a day passes by without us working about a certain aspect in our lives. Even when ones on vacation, there are always thoughts of “did I feed the dog” or “did I lock up the doors”. Our current economic situation has by far added to our day to day worries. Anxiety and fear however are all just a part of life, just like loving and laughing and crying. Some people might experience anxiety and fear more than others. However we live in a society where information, and expression travels faster than light so we as humans are bound to feel anxiety and fear at any given moment.
 
Obtaining a true meaning in life differs in every single person I think. Some people have to reach rock bottom to find some self-worth and emerge with a brand new life purpose or “meaning”. For example some alcoholics or drug addicts have to reach their brink or a serious, almost life threating pitfall, in order to stop the abuse, and emerge with a new state of mind. That collapse is in their case the “nothingness”. Many drug addicts then turn their life around and go on to become motivational speakers, or reborn in their religion. Others, might just lead perfectly average lives and suddenly come across their purpose in life, find it in college, or receive a calling from God. Reaching a state of “nothingness” could possibly also work if a person does great amounts of soul searching, relaxation, and spiritual cleansing. I think if one has the ability to transcend the real world, and enter a new sort of “zen” haven, their path to true meaning might become that much more clearer.

Judging from the amount of people that are either of the Christian or Islam faith, as compared to those that are atheists, it is safe to say that most people do in fact believe in God, and his existence. I am one of them. The questions that modern society might throw at the authenticity and legitimacy of God’s existence don’t faze me. Yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. This is why God created free will. Looking at it from my religious perspective, saying that God doesn’t exist would be like saying that I don’t exist. As a Christian, Catholic, I am a child of God. He is and forever shall be my spiritual father. If one looks at all the miracles that God allows to happen every day, shows proof of how great his power and existence truly is. If God didn’t give people the choice of free will, people wouldn’t have the ability to event question his existence, because the power of questioning and choosing wouldn’t exist. Thus in my opinion, it all comes down to the will and existence of the almighty.

When it comes to political philosophies, religious dogma, and societal beliefs, I believe all are important and do indeed define me. In today’s society you’re either a liberal Democrat, or a conservative Republican. I personally find myself to be a Republican due to their often religious agenda, and “old-school” stance on issues such as abortion and death penalty. I don’t see it being a problem if a person is defined by their political stance on government. Most people don’t mind being represented by a certain political party. It’s what defines them as Americans in our country’s government. However I think it’s wrong if people solely define themselves by means of political parties and get carried away by political propaganda. There’s more to the individual than just their stance on the issues. Society and especially religion also define me. I live by what the Bible tells us Catholics to do, to my best abilities. I take pride in my religion and I’m able to defend it if necessary. I don’t skew far from societal beliefs and expectations. Although some of my viewpoints are more conservative than the way modern society perceives them to be, I still find that “happy medium” between my beliefs and that of today’s society.

“An Echo Sonnet” by Robert Peck

The poem “An Echo Sonnet” by Robert Peck is characterized by two discrete speeches, that of the “Voice” and the “Echo”. While the Speaker’s “Voice” poses direct thoughts, the “Echo” seems to work as the force behind the actual “Voice”. Overall the poem offers multiple uses of literary techniques such as imagery, symbolism, rhetorical question, and metaphor to convey its overall ideas.

The first quatrain consists solely of rhetorical questions. The Voice displays a sense of confusion and hesitation as it contemplates starting life over. The Echo in this quatrain serves as a means of symbolism in that it reemphasizes only the meaningful parts of the statements that the Voice makes. Through this means, the Echo also seems to answer the rhetorical questions being presented. The first question also seems to set the melancholy, and depressing tone of the poem through words such as “emptiness” and “grief”.

The second quatrain incorporates more imagery as the leaf is described. The leaf serves to be a symbol for all of nature in general, which seems to bring the Voice comfort. Still a pessimistic tone is felt through the Voice’s rhetorical contemplation about death being the “enemy”. The Echo in this case seems to reinforce the fact that death is in fact not the enemy. Death actually becomes the metaphor for being an outlet of escape and ease. Therefore the Echo symbolizes the voice of reason in helping the Voice realize that the real enemy is actually is the Voice itself and the negative energy it brings out.

The third quatrain offers a turn in the poem. Peck makes further use of rhetorical questions which become geared towards the idea of giving in to death. The “leap” as suggested by the Echo is a symbol Peck uses to demonstrate a chance one must take into the unknown realm of death. A leap is also a metaphor for the intangible future that awaits us all. Consequently the Echo could be viewed as a symbol of contradiction in that despite the fact that it tempts the Voice towards death, it will still miss the Voice’s existence after its demise. The final couplet however, seems to affirm that the Voice has indeed succumbed to death, at the hand of the influential Echo. Thus the Echo becomes the metaphor for our unconscious that has the power to singlehandedly dictate all of humanity.

sonnet 116

In Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116, the idea of true love is defended through multiple metaphors, and personification. Shakespeare manages to personify love as being an “ever-fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken” as well as “the star to every wandering bark.” Love also takes on the metaphor of longevity, in the sense that it prevails despite the shortage of time on earth.  Though all the sonnet’s metaphors and literary devices are relatively simple in context, they serve the overall purpose of exposing Shakespeare’s conviction of love in the most genuine yet poetic way.

 By calling love an “ever-fixed mark”, Shakespeare is trying to play upon the idea of love being a constant and dependable instrument. The line “the star to every wandering bark” also corresponds with this idea. Because the star’s “worth is unknown, although his height be taken” love’s true nature might also sometimes be ambiguous. Nevertheless its progress and longevity can be measured in years. Then he establishes that “Love's not Time's fool” though its beauty, “rosy lips” come with its “bending sickle’s compass,” which is the inevitability of diminishing time. Through this metaphor, Shakespeare is trying induce the idea that despite time as a limitation, love prevails till one meets their doom or “sickle”. Overall the metaphors Shakespeare uses in this sonnet, can also be interpreted to be fundamental qualities one hopes to find in love which are quality, dependability, stability, and longevity. Thus the sonnet’s metaphors resonate with its readers personally, yet more deeply.

Sonnet 39 Essay

Theme Analysis: Sonnet 39

No other force has the ability to transport everyone on Earth to different dimensions other than sleep. The process of dreaming gives us the ability to experience the surreal aspects of life, which we are incapable of experiencing here on earth. The Sonnet 39, from Astrophel and Stella by Sir Philip Sidney encapsulates just that. The idea of experiencing love through a supernatural force is what the main character, Astrophel longs for the most. Since only Sleep give him the ability to feel this way and escape reality, Sidney uses the theme of sleep as the prevailing factor over Astrophel’s existence.

Sleep befalls on everyone as night approaches. The darkness is blind and undiscriminating towards its subjects on Earth. Whether it be the aristocracy or the average Joe, we all must face the inevitable slumber. Sidney personifies Sleep as, “The poor man’s wealth, the prisoner’s release, The indifferent judge between the high and low.” With this statement Sidney cleverly portrays sleep to be an unprejudiced entity. Unlike materialistic things like money which separate people into social classes, Sleep represents how we are all equal.  With the theme of sleep, Sidney also gives the sonnet a means of a certain “peacefulness” factor. Not only does it provide people with a sense of equality and harmony in their existence, but it also serves as the main form of tranquility and happiness for most.

The primary theme of the sonnet that Sidney establishes is the idea of using sleep as an outlet to escape loneliness and pain. Sleeping transports the human psyche away from the stresses and agitation of the real world. Sidney creates Sleep to be an extended metaphor for a safe haven in which people can transcend their innermost thoughts. There, they could experience them through s means of a mental fantasy. Sidney writes, “With shield of proof, shield me from the prease  Of those fierce darts Despair at me doth throw; O make in me those civil wars to cease; I will good tribute pay, if thou do so.” In this case Astrophel asks Sleep to befall on him so that he can escape the sorrow that he feels from his unrequited love for Estella. Sleep has the ability to cure his heartache and pain. Thus sleep is the only form of happiness that he could experience. This is due to the fact that only Sleep offers him the chance to be with Stella, a task otherwise impossible in real life.

The theme of sleep in this sonnet resonated with me on multiple levels. Not only do we all experience sleep on a daily basis, but we’re given the ability to escape reality by means of dreaming. Likewise Astrophel cannot wait for this “phenomenon” to visit and take control of his psyche. Sidney’s entire concept of using Sleep as an escape mechanism, adds to one’s overall appreciation and understanding of Astrophel’s thinking. His feeling of sorrow as a character evokes my pity and sympathy towards him throughout the sonnet. The deal he strikes with Sleep at the end of the sonnet shows that despite it all, requited love is sometimes best manifested in illusory forms.