Jane Eyre vs. Wide Sargasso Sea

VS.

Comparing Novels:

These two novels have quite a bit of similarities, yet they differ a lot as well. Similarly, they are both on the same type of story just with point of view from a different character. Jane Eyre is from the view point of Jane who eventually marries Rochester. Rochester was originally married to Bertha. Wide Sargasso Sea is the story of Antoinette who is really Bertha. It was really interesting to read these two stories and to see it from the perspective of differing characters. I thoroughly enjoyed reading both of them, although I was sort of disappointed with the ending of Wide Sargasso Sea, because I wanted everything to work out for her. Some other similarities I saw, were that Rochester was pretty much still the same person that he was in Jane Eyre. He was still the same rude, indifferent man in WSS that he was in Jane Eyre. The way that Bertha did in Jane EyreI was the same way that Antoinette died in WSS.

There were several differences that were quite noticeable as I read both of these books. First off was the name difference. I wonder why Jean Rys decided to change her name, it just seemed wierd to me. Secondly was the time change. WSS's setting was set before emancipation, which differed to Jane Eyre. Lastly, was my perspective as a reader. When I read Jane Eyre I didn't feel bad for Bertha because I really believed that she was crazy. When I read WSS, my opinion was completley changed. After reading it, I felt as if she was not crazy until the end and that Rochester was really the one that made her turn crazy. In Jane Eyre I totally thought that Bertha was really crazy, but after reading WSS, I felt that it was the complete opposite. These were just a couple of the differences that I noticed as I read both of these books.

Overall, I was glad that I read both of these books, because reading WSS helped me to better understand Jane Eyre. They were both really interesting and actually kept my attention as I read both of them. Also, they were fun topics to discuss in class, because we could relate the two books to the same story. Even though I was left with disappointment after reading them, I still really enjoyed reading both of them!!!

Explotation vs. Exploration

This picture shown above I really liked and thought that it would be perfect for this topic. I picked this picture of jelly beans because it describes our race, ethicity and gender. It shows that everyone is different, for we all are different sizes and our skin types. I just felt it was a perfect symbol for this topic.

Race/Gender/Ethnicity:

In Jane Eyre and Wide Sagrasso Sea, there are some prominent relationships between race, gender and ethnicity. For starters Bertha also known as Antoinette is mix of english and native. Throughout Wide Sagrasso Sea she seems to be lost with her identity for she doesn't fit in with neither the english nor the natives. This seems wierd to me because nowadays it is more prominant and completely accepted. Back then it was looked down upon, therefore noone would consider you part of their race. Also, the fact that she is a female doesn't help her one bit. The discussion of gender can go back to some of our earlier books such as Robinson Crusoe which is a great example of gender differences. In this novel girls are portrayed upon as objects that are used by the men when they want them. Throughout the whole book women are mentioned a total of 2 times. The first time is a good mentioning with the widow holding on to Crusoe's fortune, but the second time is for prostetution. In Jane Eyre, Jane is portrayed as this innocent girl who is not very cute, and who is fragile. Just gives off the vibe that all girls are this "stereotypical" girl, which is beyond true. This just goes to show the time, and the manner of what people felt was womens jobs and placement in the world. As for ethnicity, it makes me think back to Othello, and how we had a huge debate about whether or not O was thought to be different because of his race and ethnicity. Overtime these attributes about people are more excepted by our society. This just goes to show that exploration and explotation is more cleary understood, and can more can be exlpored because people have more rights and liberties.

Jane Eyre: Novel vs. Movie

The story of Jane Eyre is a unique and different story that was written by Charolette Bronte. In the novel Jane was described as a young orphan who lived with extended family that didn't want her. They would store her away in the "red room," if she didn't do exactly what they said or was being punished for any reason. The family also beat her as well, and they just showed no care or support for her at all. This was shown through the movie as well. Although I would prefer the novel over the movie anyday, because it is easier to understand and not as boring. Overall I thought the movie was fairly boring considering that it was nearly 4 hours long. It showed alot of the charactersitics of Jane from in the book. It was basically an overview of her life, just less descriptive and not as well told. Although the movie did help me to understand the novel just a little bit more, I still felt like it was nowhere near as good. Its kind of just like Othello, because i thought that the novel was much better, but the movie helped to put everything together and to just make it all that much more clear. I liked how Jane was shown as a strong girl who was searching for her independence all throughout her life. She strived to better herself, and didn't want to settle for less. For example, by her not marrying him because of his first marriage with Bertha. Therefore she went out on her way to make something more of herself. Although it made me happy to see that in the end she got what she wanted and her and Rochester finally got together. I feel this way because I could sense that deep down Rochester was good, and that he had all the right intentions, but they just seemed to come out the wrong way. I really did enjoy reading and wathing these two versions of the novel, all in all, I feel that this was an interesting story and it is one of my favorites out of the novels that we have read thus far.

Robinson Crusoe Thesis

Thesis: Robinson Crusoe seems to have not changed throughout the course of the novel for he is still sef-centered, rude and controlling.



"I sent seven women." p. 220
This quote just goes to show that at the end of the novel he still has litte respect for women. In this quote he just speeks of women as a object that is just for the men to use on the island. This is a perfect example of how much Crusoe didn't change throughout the novel.



"When the captain was gone, I sent for the Men up to me to my apartment." p. 199
Basically this shows that he is in charge and that is controlling. This quote is shown at the end so it just goes to prove that he only cares about himself and wants service to himself.



"I order'd Friday, and the Captians Mate, to go over the little Creek Westward." p.190
All that I have to say about this quote is the word "ordered." Who is he to think that he can just boss around everyone and just order them around. He is no higher rank in life than any of these men, therefore I just dont understand where he gets it from.



"O, Master." p. 181
This is Friday calling him his master. Friday is a savage and there is no reason why he should be calling Crusoe his master. It just makes no sense. This just proves that he wants all attention on him, and that he wants everyone to follow only him and to do him service.




"I ask'd him how he throuhgt they would recieve a Proposal from me, which might tend towards an Escape?" p. 176
In this quote he is talking about Friday when he is scared that he is going to run away from him, but he says that he is his slave and that he will not allow him to. This just goes to show how controlling he is over a person. This quote really does make me believe that he really hasn't changed one bit.






"I had secur'd my two weak Prisoners."
Here he is speaking of the other natives in which he is taking in to be his slaves. This just continues to bother me that he simply just doesn't care. I think that my biggest problem with this would be that he treats all of them as his slaves, but he thinks that they are all just best friends only because he provides them shelter.



"The next day I set him to work." p. 154
Crusoe talks about the continuous work load he gives for Friday to complete. Just another example of how much he has not changed.




"I return'd to my Castle." p. 152
Here he is referring to the island as his castle and that he is the king of it, and that Friday is just one of his servants. I guess that maybe 28 years on an island could make one go a little crazy and his was that he thought that he was king.



"first i made him know his name should be Friday." p. 149
Basically Crusoe names him based on the day that he finds him. This sounds more like a pet name and is not a normal human name. It is a good symbol for how he treats him throughout the book, because he basically treats him as his pet.

Shipwrecked

The Queen Anne's Revenege:

http://www.qaronline.org/archaeology/QARSiteMap1.pdf

This website listed above shows a map of what is remaining of the Queen Anne's Revenge. This map is shown in great detail and gives a great showing of where everything is located on the bottom of the ocean floor. Edward Teach, mostly known as Blackbeard was the pirate in charge of this ship which was sailed during the year of 1718. It was considered to be the largest pirate ship to sail the Spanish Main. It wrecked June of 1718 at Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina. Blackbeard used his ship to win over nearly 18 other ships. The Queen Anne's Revenge was considered to be his biggest and most useful weapon. Some say that she was most likely launched in Great Britain in 1710, during the War of the Spanish Succession known as The Queen Revenge's War. Although it is not for sure, it is documented that this ship was once known as the Concord, until it was captured by the French in 1711. The Concord, was one of the ships that Blackbeard had stolen and then renamed it to The Queen's Revenge. He used her in the blockade of Charelston in May of 1718. It is said that this victory was his greatest achievement as a pirate. Not much information is known on the actual wrecking of the ship, but it is said that a couple of days after the victory at Charleston she was taken aground and was to be never seen again.

http://www.unc.edu/depts/cmse/science/Blackbeard.html

http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/maritime/Blackbeard/flute-black2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/maritime/Blackbeard/qar.htm&h=330&w=261&sz=30&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=oVdBWfUmvJKouM:&tbnh=119&tbnw=94&prev=/images%3Fq%3DThe%2BQueen%2BAnne%2527s%2BRevenge%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den

Columbia River Shipwrecks:

During the 1700's there was several ship wrecks which occured near the Columbia River. More than 200 have been documented shipwrecks which occured in this specific area. This is tremendously large amount considering that it is just a river. During 1776-1777, there were several missions which included the crossing of this river, leading to the large amount of shipwrecks in this area. There was one shipwreck which was known to have survivors which landed is nowaday Oregon and were attacking by Indians. Supposidly they hid their treasure along the shore. This is spectical because none of it has been found, well at least not reported. Basically this is saying that the buried treasure chests could have been found by people who just decided to not report it. Though most dont believe that this could happen, but nowadays you just never know.

http://www.nwcouncil.org/history/images/shipwrecks.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.nwcouncil.org/history/Shipwrecks

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

After reading The Rime of the Ancient Mariner I was sort of interested in learning a bit about the life of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. I wanted to see what led to his writing of this interesting poem, and to learn a little bit about him. I decided to do something a little different this time, and look up one main website. From these websites I will try and find out as much information about him that I possibly can. This will not only help me to understand more about the author and his lifetime, but how to compare good and not so good websites.

Sameul Taylor Coleridge:

Coleridge was born October 21, 1722 in Ottery St Mary, Devonshire. Believe it or not he was the youngest of 10 children. There seems to be not enough information about his childhood years. Information is very scarce and is lacks several key years. From these several websites stated below I found an okay amount of information. There was little to none about his childhood. Basically what was already mentioned is all that was in the text. I could find a goood amount of information about his learning experiences and how he became a literature writer. He went to a Christ's Hospital School located in London and later transferred to Jesus College. After this he got married to Sara Flicker who sadly, he was not in love with. Coleridge's first writings came out in 1776. These were known as the Poems on Various Subjects. His brothers helped out with the money situation and helped him to get on his feet and be able to do his literature. It is known that he had a start of a good relationship with Dorothy and William Wordsworth. Meeting these people helped to lead him to his writing of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. After this he started to secretly fall in love with Sara Hutchinson and ended up writing a couple of literary poems on her. It was later found that he was addicted to opium and was debating to commit suicide. Even though some of his work was left unfinished, it was still later published. He ended up dying for what seems to be an unknown reason, but his death occurred in London on July 25, 1834. This is just a little bit of the information that I was able to gather up about him. It seems he was a pretty interesting fellow. Although websites really seem to lack in information; the first website shown below gives a pretty good analysis of his life through a timeline.


http://etext.virginia.edu/stc/Coleridge/resources/time_line.html
http://www.online-literature.com/coleridge/

Othello Thesis

My Thesis:


Even though Othello wrongly accused Desmonda, she still showed great love for him by not ratting him out for her soon to be death, by sticking up for him, and being faithful.


I picked this topic because it was of my interest as to why she still loved him so, after all of the hateful things he had said and done to her. After all of this she still managed to show great love for him, and let everyone know it during her final words. To me there is only so much that you can take of verbal abuse and accusations. She didn't even seem to care about that fact that he just listened to his friend, and didn't even bother to go and ask her for himself. This astonishes me, because I know that if I was in her position, I wouldn't feel as if I was in a marriage, but in a high school fling. It just makes no sense to me at least. Then again, maybe she had such strong feelings for him that nothing he could ever do would ever change the love that she had for him. That is something so rare that it is rarely found in modern today. Here are some examples that prove that Desmonda was still in love with her husband despite his accusations:

Act 4, scene 2, 176:
Desmonda says,
"What shall I do to win my Lord again?"

This is a really good example of how she loves him so. First off she is proving that she would do anything to win him back, and to prove that she is innocent, and is completely faithful to him.

Act 4, scene 3, 12-15:
Desmonda says,
"He says he wil return incontinent, and hath commanded me to go to bed and (bade) me to dimiss you."

This is just another example showing how she would follow anything that he tells her to. She would do anything for him, because he is her true love.

Act 4, scene 3, 59-61:
Desmonda sings,
I called my love false love, but what said he then?
Sing willow, willow, willow.
If I court more women, youll couch with more men-

Basically, this is a song that Desmonda is singing to Emilia about her relationship with Othello. Even though she loves him so, she is worried as to why he is acting wierd to her.
Act 4, scene 3, 88-89:
Desmonda says,
" Beshrew me if I would do such a wrong for the whole world."

Right here Desmonda is talking about when she was called a whore by Othello. She is asking Emilia if she really is this, and if she is then to "breshew" her.

Act 5 scene 2, 49:
Desmonda says,
" They are loves I bear to you."

This is talking about when Othello asks her about the sins in which she has commited, and she states that the only sin of wrong would be that she has loved him too much.

act 5, scene 2 , 51-55:
Desmonda says,
"That death's unnatural that kills for loving. Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip? Some bloody passion shakes your very frame. These are protents, but yet I hope, I hope they do not point at me."

This shows that she believes that if he does love her as she loves him then he would not point his sword at her.

act 5, scene 2, 73-76:
Desmonda says,
"And have mercy too. I never did offend you in my life, never loved Cassio but with such general warranty of heaven as I might love. I never gave him a token. "

Here she is trying to convince him of her love for him, and to prove that she never did anything with Cassio, and that he himself is the only one who she has ever given herself to and has loved.

act 5, scene 2, 151-153:
Emilia says,
"O, who hath done this deed?"
Desmonda says,
"Nobody. I myself. Farewell. Commend me to my kind Lord. O, farewell."

This is the moment in which Desmonda could have told on her husband for killing her, but instead she told Emilia that she did it herself. Therefore sticking up for her husband. This is where I find it every interesting and is one of my favorite parts of this act.


Act 5, scene 2, 165-166:
Emilia says,
"Thou art rash as a fire to day that she was false. O, she was heavenly true."

This is after the fact that Desmonda is dead, and is when Othello is finally finding out that his wife was truly faithful to him. Here Emilia tells him that she was only just heavenly true to him the whole time.

Overall, these are just a few of the examples that help to support my thesis. I could say that from this it is easy to conclude that Desmonda was truly, truly in love with her significant other, and would do absolutely anything for him. It's just sad how everything had to work out in the wrong for her, because she was total faithful and a good wife to Othello.