English 104 - Introduction to Narrative
Britta Bene
The Hidden Significance of a Parent’s Death
Category: 2 Essay: Carroll, Twain, Faulkner, Sebold | Britta Bene
It is evident from the title of William Faulkner’s book As I Lay Dying that a death will occur, is occurring, or has occurred. Thus, we know that Addie Bundren’s passing away will be a crucial element throughout the story; in fact, it is the main driving force behind all...
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Posted by bbene on December 08, 2003 at 04:49 PM
In Heaven but not Dead
Category: 10 Blog: The Lovely Bones | Britta Bene
One of the most surprising effects of Susie’s horrible rape and murder is that desire and lust seem to have been (re)awakened in her. Her “invasion” of Lindsay and Samuel’s sex scene is especially interesting when we consider her closing remarks, “at fourteen, my sister sailed away from me into...
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Posted by bbene on December 03, 2003 at 09:42 PM
Addie’s Unfortunate Position
Category: 09 Blog: As I Lay Dying | Britta Bene
Faulkner’s choice of positioning Addie’s monologue in-between Cora and Whitfield is very interesting. Addie, the only insightful and “real” character in the book, suddenly finds herself surrounded by two blind hypocrites. Cora, who claims selflessness but who wants to be recognized for her Christian actions and who judges Addie, although...
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Posted by bbene on November 23, 2003 at 07:52 PM
What is Sin?
Category: 08 Blog: As I Lay Dying | Britta Bene
There is a conspicuous difference between the ways Cora and Addie view religion and the word of God. Cora believes that mortals cannot judge their sins, as this privilege is solely reserved for God: “it is the Lord’s part to judge; ours to praise His mercy and His holy name...
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Posted by bbene on November 17, 2003 at 09:24 PM
Reliable Narration Undermined by Unreliable Actions
Category: 07 Blog: Huckleberry Finn | Britta Bene
Two dimensions inherent in the story are Huck’s narration and Huck’s actions. Until Huck meets Tom in chapter 33, the two dimensions complement each other; the protagonist tells stretchers and admits to them. Subsequently he is plagued by guilt and tries to undo the pain he has caused (as...
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Posted by bbene on November 10, 2003 at 09:55 PM
Intriguing Deceit
Category: 06 Blog: Huckleberry Finn | Britta Bene
Although Huck quickly sees through the King and Duke’s scheme, he nevertheless makes allowances for them due to their theatrical qualities and deceptive abilities. During the previous chapters Huck assumed various roles himself, while always pretending to be a child in need. One of his most notable transformations was one...
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Posted by bbene on November 03, 2003 at 09:01 PM
Huck's Reality
Category: 05 Blog: Huckleberry Finn | Britta Bene
There is a disparity between how the town’s people react to the dead body in the river and how Huck responds to it. The people who found the body “judged it was him [Pap], anyway; said this drowned man was just his size, and was ragged, and had uncommon long...
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Posted by bbene on October 27, 2003 at 02:38 PM
A False Sense of Security
Category: 11 Essay: James and Bronte | Britta Bene
Throughout literature, we often experience characters that manipulate, defraud, and deviously woo people into a false sense of security. These characters, like Heathcliff in Emily Bronte’s novel Wuthering Heights, use illusions and cunning to lead their counterparts into despondency during their relentless quest for ultimate satisfaction. Heathcliff, an extremely...
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Posted by bbene on October 22, 2003 at 11:32 PM
A Frustrating Struggle
Category: 04 Blog: Alice in Wonderland | Britta Bene
Throughout the story Alice in Wonderland there are many scenes with difficult communication. However, one of the most frustrating scenes is the one with the famous caterpillar. He asks Alice: “Who are you?” (35) and Alice answers shyly: “I – I hardly know, Sir” (35). The protagonist is a lost...
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Posted by bbene on October 06, 2003 at 05:20 PM
Defeat by Forgiveness
Category: 03 Blog: Wuthering Heights | Britta Bene
Little Cathy continues her mother’s presence while changing in the process. Both characters had lively dispositions and a willingness to forgive. Yet this ability to pardon ultimately leads mother and daughter into defeat. When the older Catherine was finally able to forgive Heathcliff, it was almost too late. However, she...
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Posted by bbene on September 29, 2003 at 06:33 PM
Nelly's Emotional Involvement
Category: 02 Blog: Wuthering Heights | Britta Bene
Throughout the first sixteen chapters we can perceive Nelly as a relatively reliable narrator. Nevertheless, despite her belief that “the Grange had but one sensible soul in its walls, and that lodged in [her] body” (94), we must not forget that Mrs. Dean’s strong relationship with the protagonists and their...
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Posted by bbene on September 22, 2003 at 09:28 PM
Theatrical Deceit
Category: 01 Blog: Turn of the Screw | Britta Bene
The Governess is an extremely inexperienced, insecure, and frustrated woman who has created her own stylized world of anxiety, deceit, and paranoia. She has successfully lost herself in her initial haven of “music and affection and success and private theatricals” (55) only to find herself in a state of menacing...
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Posted by bbene on September 15, 2003 at 10:11 PM
Practice
Category: Britta Bene
Hello everyone~ This is my first practice entry! I hope all of you are having fun – and are mastering the art of blogging successfully!...
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Posted by bbene on September 10, 2003 at 03:45 PM