I actually did enjoy watching the movie that went along with this book. I thought that it was interesting to see how they portrayed Janie. I actually was looking forward to seeing the end of it. What I don't understand is how Oprah could say that this book was one of the most romantic books she had ever read. For me, romantic is not really the best describing word for Their Eyes Were Watching God. If anything, it was a very sad, sad story about how a woman tries to be her own woman, but is never able to because men keep coming along and marrying her. I could understand the first marriage, but the second one... In my eyes, she was purposefully using her sexuality because she was bored, she wanted excitement. I guess I just do not have patience for that kind of behavior. And the marriage with Tea Cake? What in the world was that all about? You have got to know that when something like that happens it is too good to be true and also it will NOT WORK OUT! How stupid can you be?
So anyhow, I don't know how Oprah can call a story where the ending is shooting the only man you have ever "loved" - not that I think Janie loved him, I think she lusted him. This whole story was mainly about lust and the conflicts one can get into with lust. I guess overall, this was not my favorite read. I just cannot like Janie. She is just too selfish and lustful for me.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Their Eyes Were Watching God - Extra
It was nice that this book incorporated a woman's perspective into the class. I know that we had Mrs. Dalloway, but I like that we get Janie's perspective. This book was difficult for me because there were parts that I did enjoy and parts that I did not enjoy. The storyline was very good I thought. It was different-I have not read this story before. I liked seeing this growing into womanhood throughout the story. I really don't think we have read any other books where a character grows so much in such a long period of time. I also liked Hurston's writing techniques. The way that she puts her words together is just beautiful-like poetry. She can describe a simple scene like no other. In a way, it sort of reminded me of Harry Potter just because there were so many details. Like in the beginning with the tree blossoming. Who comes up with stuff like that? Who could even think that a tree is erotic? Also, this is one of the few books that we have read where the setting is very well laid out for the reader, I enjoyed understanding where I was at in the story.
Okay, for the things that I did not like. I did not like Janie very much as a character. I think that she was very, very, very selfish. All she really cared about was herself and I HATE characters like that. Maybe it is because, most of the time they are portrayed as female characters. So anyway, I also think that Janie was kind of a skank... She used her good looks to get whatever she wanted. And whenever she finally found "love" she just became this puny woman who let her husband beat her. It just sort of upset me.
Okay, for the things that I did not like. I did not like Janie very much as a character. I think that she was very, very, very selfish. All she really cared about was herself and I HATE characters like that. Maybe it is because, most of the time they are portrayed as female characters. So anyway, I also think that Janie was kind of a skank... She used her good looks to get whatever she wanted. And whenever she finally found "love" she just became this puny woman who let her husband beat her. It just sort of upset me.
Maus I
Definitely the best read we have had so far this semester. I seriously loved this book, and actually wanted to read it to see what was going to happen next. Maybe I am a visual learner of something, but I just got this book. It was so real-just extraordinary. I am not a huge comic book fan, but the way that this story flowed, it just seemed like a poem...weird, I know.
Probably my favorite part of the book was the relationship that the father and son had. It was just so real-probably because it was real. It reminded me of the relationship that I have with my parents. A relationship that I think we all sort of have as young people, when we think we know more than our parents. The father telling his story is just so touching, and I think that as a reader, you cannot help to like the father. He sort of reminded me of my grandpa, the way he did things that were so odd and the son could not convince him otherwise.
The relationship that I found a little confusing was the father's relationship with his new wife, Mala and the one with his first wife Anja. I talked to a friend who has read the second book and she said that I'll find out more about it later. I guess I just don't understand why the father married Mala...
I also found it interesting that the father actually shared this story with his son. I think that if I had gone through this experience, I would never even want to think about it. Maybe that's why Anja killed herself-because she did just keep it all in. I can obviously see that the father is very strong. He is the strong and stable one throughout everything. I think that by sharing this story with his son, he is sort of releasing everything that happened.
What an awful thing. It's so sad at what happened to so many innocent people. Sometimes, if seems like it could just not be real. I think that this book very well makes it real.
Probably my favorite part of the book was the relationship that the father and son had. It was just so real-probably because it was real. It reminded me of the relationship that I have with my parents. A relationship that I think we all sort of have as young people, when we think we know more than our parents. The father telling his story is just so touching, and I think that as a reader, you cannot help to like the father. He sort of reminded me of my grandpa, the way he did things that were so odd and the son could not convince him otherwise.
The relationship that I found a little confusing was the father's relationship with his new wife, Mala and the one with his first wife Anja. I talked to a friend who has read the second book and she said that I'll find out more about it later. I guess I just don't understand why the father married Mala...
I also found it interesting that the father actually shared this story with his son. I think that if I had gone through this experience, I would never even want to think about it. Maybe that's why Anja killed herself-because she did just keep it all in. I can obviously see that the father is very strong. He is the strong and stable one throughout everything. I think that by sharing this story with his son, he is sort of releasing everything that happened.
What an awful thing. It's so sad at what happened to so many innocent people. Sometimes, if seems like it could just not be real. I think that this book very well makes it real.
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