Things Fall Apart - What Makes A Man

In Chinua Achebe's book "Things Fall Apart," an occurring theme in the African lifestyle, which he is trying to show through Okonkwo, is what makes a man. In their society, a man was his own. He did everything himself, even from the beginning, "His fame rested on solid personal achievements," (3). Okonkwo did not ever want to live like his father or be remembered for what his father was, he was his own man and make it that everyone would remember his greatness. A successful man had many barns of yams, many wives, and lots of children. "Yams stood for manliness, and he who could feed his family on yams from one harvest to another was a great man indeed." (33) Okonkwo was a skilled farmer, a determined farmer, he worked endlessly to be respected and feed his family. "No matter how prosperous a man was, if he was unable to rule his women and his children (especially his women) he was not really a man," (53). Family was everything to a man, it was leaving a legacy, leaving behind your story, and it was a great blessing. But, a man was always above the women and children. Family is everything, to take care of your family was a man's duty. "We do not ask for wealth because he who has health and children will also have wealth. We so not pray to have more money but to have more kinsmen," (165). A man was to be strong, Okonkwo "was a man of action, a man of war," (10) and that was greatly respected and loved amongst the clan. Wrestling was a manly skill, to be physically better than another man was a great achievement, it showed strength and power, "to conquer and subdue," (42). Okonkwo wanted his sons to be brave, strong, masculine, etc. so he tells "masculine stories of violence and bloodshed." (53) To make them tougher and ready for the world. Religion was a large part of the community, so respect for the gods and the ancestors really was a large factor of a man's life, future, fate, or wellbeing. "And when a man is at peace with his gods and his ancestors, his harvest will be good or bad according to the strength of his arm," (17). To be a man was to be accomplished, all men respected a man who was older, because they have lived through many battles they have survived, and they are wise. The clan "judged a man by the work of his hands," (27) what effort he has put into to make him great will be rewarded with respect.

"The Surprising Science of Happiness"

After watching Dan Gilbert’s TED talk about "The surprising science of happiness", it really made me look at what I think makes me happy. Gilbert talked about how everyone thinks our outcome will be different if we get this, if we win, or if we gain in other words it sucks if we lose. But, he says that happiness can be synthesized, there is synthetic happiness. Now personally I have no idea what he means by this term, but he continues by giving some examples. Jim Wright, a famous democratic that lost everything his money and power, said “I am so much better off.” But wait it gets better, Moreese Bickham, a man put in jail for 37 years for a crime he was found later that he never committed, said he had not one minute’s regret “It was a glorious experience.” And finally, Pete Best, the original drummer for the Beatles who was later dumped by them, said, “I’m happier than I would have been with the Beatles.” These people are just a few of many who have found happiness after what we all consider to be traumatic events. Even though an event from the beginning may not be what we want, we never know if that leads us to the better future. We shouldn’t underestimate the bad paths in life from the good; we should embrace all that has happened to us with open minds, allowing life to take its toll. I think that the quote “Expect the unexpected” works really well here, because say the unthinkable happens, all that goes through the mind is life hates me and the end is near, but really before you know it a new door opens up and you find new people, loves, memories, and good times that you would never have guessed could come out of such a low point in our life. I think that this really is a great reminder to everyone, that when possibly we don’t get that “A” grade or our heart is broken by our true love or our dreams are shattered, there is more than that sad ending we think we are at. Those times we felt “It’s the end of the world as we know it!” no it’s not the end. There are no ends there are only beginnings. With happiness, I think, we shouldn’t anxiously demand for it and constantly drive ourselves insane searching for it, but instead let it happen out of the unexpected, let happiness find us. 

Hamlet ... Gone with the Wind

To me "Hamlet," could be set in the south around the Civil War. I can see "Gone With the Wind" ... "Hamlet" style, and if that's not insane enough for you I don't want to know what you think is sane. Anyway, imagine back in time on an old property out deep in the hills of the south, a cotton field to your left, and a great pasty white mansion right smack in the middle of it all. Just think as if Hamlet is apart of this long line of great southern military leaders, his father one of the most respected, and his uncle not so much. His mother, Gertrude, a fine southern bell from a sweet Catholic family, spends her days raising him to be a good Catholic boy. So, the forgotten uncle, Claudius, devises a plan to get rid of his brother, take the family land, his brother's wife, and all that sweet money. Before Old Hamlet and Claudius go out to battle they sit and talk about you know family stuff, then Claudius discretely poisons his brother's drink, which ends up killing him. Claudius goes into to battle, gets the win, goes home takes the land, his brother's wife, etc. 

Polonius is an old family friend of Hamlet's family, and finds it his duty to visit often and be of help. Ophelia, the daughter of Polonius and Hamlet's "sweetheart", is a young and youthful girl learning to sew and write back to love letters. Imagine Act 2 Scene 2 when Hamlet totally rips Polonius, in his gentlemanly way, and Polonius is totally clueless. Polonius and Ophelia are invited to Hamlet's house to have a picnic, along with other quests, and outside there are people mingling and talking. Polonius goes straight up to Hamlet, who seems to be avoiding the people, and begins a friendly discussion. After their wonderful talk, of name calling and clueless interpretation. Hamlet leaves Polonius dumbfounded, and joins the rest of the picnic.  

"To Be or Not To Be" .... What ....

Because we are reading "Hamlet" we all have to look at the most famous line by Shakespeare, "To be or not to be."I looked up two different versions of the line on youtube, one by David Tennant (the one above) and the other by Kenneth Branagh (the one below). Before comparing, I would like to say that both gave exceptional portrayals of the scene and I applaud them on their acting skills, because I have none. However, let's compare. Honestly I love it when actors are just talking by themselves and don't have the weird music in the background. I know such a minor detail, but it bugs me, because when we are talking to ourselves their is no moody orchestra behind us causing suspense. So, one point Tennant zero to Branagh. I also liked how Tennant looked so sad for some reason that was so much more convincing to me than Branagh looking so serious and crazy, he actually looked crazy. And, I think that Hamlet would have been more sad and concentrated on his problem than really going insane. In the end I think that Tennant gave a much better version of the iconic line than Branagh.

You Should Probably Edit That ...

Before: Vonnegut shows us through the symbolism of handicaps individuality is one of the most treasured qualities an "equal" person can posses. Being an individual means taking off the handicaps our community oppresses upon us. And embracing everything that we are. People desperately try to fit in and be equal. The truth is we will never be exactly alike with appearance or titles, but as equal people we are to treat one another with the same amount of respect and reverence.

After: Vonnegut shows us through the symbolism of handicaps individuality is one of the most treasured qualities an "equal" person posses. An individual takes off the handicaps our community oppresses upon us, and embraces every aspect which makes us who we are. The truth is, we will never be exactly alike with appearance or titles as our "perfect" coworker or "flawless" friend. However, we are all neighbors in this one world we share.  Vonnegut tells us everyone lives with flaws and blemishes, but equality comes when we detach ourselves from our pride and admire our own faults.

Ophelia - Sweet or Sour?

In reading Shakespeare's "Hamlet", act 1 scene 3; I had the pleasure in meeting Ophelia. In my mind, a reserved young lady, who thinks highly of her brother, Laertes, and his opinions. And since she is respectful to her brother and father I would think overall she is a well-rounded person with high morals for herself and others. In other words, I like her. I wouldn't mind sharing a conversation with Ophelia about if Hamlet is good enough or if Hamlet's love is real, she would be a really cool friend just saying. On another note, I thought that Shakespeare made her personality very subtle, she listened intently to whatever her brother and father had to say, and never cut in or made a snobby remark. She is so respectful and nice, she lets her brother and father tear Hamlet her supposed lover to shreds, and even more so she doesn't give any objection whatsoever. But, she appears indecisive about what her opinion of Hamlet is. It's good that she is cautious about if his love is true or not, but I think she lets her brother and father's opinion take over her own.

To get a full understanding of Ophelia, of course we have to take other people's opinions, such as movies! Lets call the movie interpretations: 1. D.P.P and 2. Zeffirelli. First number one D.P.P, I was annoyed by the actress who played Ophelia. The minute she said her first line, in such a "sure thing bro" type of tone, I wanted to pause the video and leave. This actress interpreted Ophelia as if she was chill her brother was leaving, and so relaxed over the fact her brother told her to take care of her heart from Hamlet. No, just no. I didn't like that actress at all. To me, I thought she had it all wrong from the "I don't really care what your saying" look I thought she had, and the immature teasing she tried so desperately to accomplish. In other words, I completely adored number two Zeffirelli's interpretation of Ophelia. The way the actress looked so innocent when you first saw her, I was like "Finally!" and "Bravo", now that is how I pictured Ophelia! The actress continued with sad looking expressions when her brother said good-bye, and a concerned tone in her voice when her brother was talking about Hamlet. To me, she was so much better! This actress gave me the timid but respectful Ophelia I had first imagined when Shakespeare first introduced me to her. And with that I thought that Zeffirelli's Ophelia set the right tone for the rest of the play, with her more genuine and trident true interpretation.

 

Hamlet is he the One?

My first impression of Hamlet was, he is a good son. He love his father so much, and when he hears news about his father's ghost he immediately wants to see him and talk to him. He is such a good son! He wants to see his dad, and make an effort to talk to him. Hamlet responds to his uncle and mother I feel like in a distant way. He respects his uncle and wants to look after his mother, but I feel like he can't love them as much as he would hope. "I shall in all my best obey you, madam." (Shakespeare 1-120) I see Hamlet distant from his mother since she remarried, as if he only wants to but on a show for her. To me Hamlet misses his father so much that he doesn't want to be involved with his uncle and mother, he wants his father. Selfish and childish in a way, but still Hamlet is another person trying to find their path in their mind on their own. On another note, I also think that Hamlet is an excellent prince and would make a fantastic king someday. From seeing his loyalty to his family and his people I believe that he would lead with justice. I can see him looking for the best solution to satisfy all parties. I imagine him as a king that is fair, and would do anything to make the right be his highest priority. Hamlet in my mind would give his people the best king they have ever seen.