Reflection on The Tempest.

      I have known about Shakespeare for a long time. In world literature class, I had an opportunity to learn about him and his play The Tempest, one of the last plays Shakespeare wrote before he retired from the theatre.
      First of all, let me tell you about the roles of characters in The Tempest. There are three groups of characters in this play. Group 1, called The Deposed, including Prospero and Maranda, a daughter of Prospero. Group 2, named The Newly Shipwrecked, including Alonso (a king of Naples), Ferdinand (the son of king), Stephano (the drunk), and Trinculo (the king’s clown who also is a drunk). Group 3, called Supernatural Creatures, including Ariel (a magical shaped spirit in the air), and Caliban (son of Sycorax).
           Second, what are themes in The Tempest? There are several themes which Shakespeare wants to focus on in this play: appearance vs reality, colonization, cultural exchange, power, and magic. In this reflection, I want to explore the theme of magic.  What is magic? How does Shakespeare use magic in his play, and what is the purpose for that? The Webster Dictionary defines magic as “A possessing or using or characteristic appropriate to supernatural powers.” The Tempest begins with Prospero's magic, with the deafening noise of thunder and lightning “confused noise within.” The island is “full of noises” to create a storm. Prospero also has the ability to control the storm, and the splitting ship ensures that nobody gets hurt. Prospero, with the help of his book, is able to use to seek his revenge and to control Caliban and Ariel. Another type of magic used by Prospero with the aid of Ariel is the production and disappearance of the banquet, and the arrival and dance of the spirits. In addition, Prospero uses magic to create illusions and control situations. His magic and his control over the supernatural elements are to regain his Dukedom, punish those who are evil, and reconcile those capable of repentance. Prospero, at the end of the play, rejects his magic so he can return to society; he says, “I’ll break my staff, bury it certain fathoms in the earth, and deeper than did ever plummet sound I’ll drown my book” (The Tempest 5.1.54-57).
        The play also ends with Prospero's magic when he commands that Ariel send the ship safely back to Italy. Moreover, Prospero uses magic to create illusions and resolve conflicts.  The most important thing that I really liked in The Tempest was at the end; real magic happened in human heart. Instead of getting revenge on his brother, Prospero reconciles with him. Prospero also pardons and grants freedom to Caliban and Ariel.
       It is said that “knowledge is useful and good if you use it in the right ways;” at the end of the play, Prospero renounces his magic and, as a result, can return to a world where his knowledge is valued but where magic has no place.
      In conclusion, “all is well that ends well.” Prospero now uses his magic power only to do good. Prospero proves that the magic in itself is neither good nor bad. It is the use we make of it that determines which it will be.  

 

 Works Cited

Snider, D. J. Shakespeare's Tempest. The Journal of Speculative Philosophy. Vol. 8. 1 July. 1874. Shakespeare Online. 2 Aug. 2013. < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/tempest/notetempest.html

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/tempest/notetempest.html

Cultural Conflict and Exchange

           I  recognizes that LAS 201 and World Literature Class share a common theme which is cultural conflict and exchange.
           In LAS 201, I learned about cultural exchange. The material we used for this purpose is   Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) written by Dr. Milton Bennett in which he points out the fundamental attitude of people towards different cultures. His theory is based on six stages of attitudes which include denial, which means there is no reason to know about other cultures; defense, the idea that there is nothing to learn from them; minimization, the idea that people are similar; acceptance, it is interesting to know different cultures; adaptation and integration, which  means people  from different cultures can live and work together.
          In World Literature Class, I also learned about cultural exchange in The Tempest by Shakespeare. A great example for this case is the relationship between Prospero and Caliban. Before Prospero and his daughter came to the Island, Caliban was the inhabitant of the Island. When Prospero came, Caliban showed friendship to Prospero; in return, Prospero taught his language to Caliban. After that, Prospero makes Caliban become his servant. From this point, we can see the result of cultural conflict and exchange. Exchange from relationship of “Friend” to relationship of “Superior and servant.” Because of that, Caliban wants to kill Prospero.

Shakespeare also focuses on discrimination. Prospero treats Caliban in a different way because Caliban is not of the same race as Prospero and Marian. Prospero considers Caliban an “Unhuman shape”

This knowledge makes me think about the history of America. There is a similarity between Prospero and Caliban and the Europeans and Indians. Before Europeans came to America, the Indians were there.  But when Europeans came, they took over the Indians’ land, language, and culture.

Besides that, the relationship between Prospero and Caliban also represents the relationship between white people and black people. The Whites treat Blacks in a different way because of their color of skin.

In conclusion, cultural conflict and exchange is the theme that both LAS 201 and World Literature want to deliver to students in different ways. Cultural conflict and exchange take place in world history. On one side, cultural conflict and exchange can bring benefit to people such as civilization, one the other side, it can bring conflict and destroy cultures.  

Connection Between LAS 201 and World Literature Class Regarding the Theme of Social Justice

         Coming to the end of semester, I recognize that there is a connection between the liberal arts class LAS 201 and the world literature class. The reason for this is that both classes focus on several themes such as creation, cultural exchange, and social justice. In this piece of wiring, I want to emphasize the theme of social justice.
      First of all, in liberal art class, I learned a lot about the concepts of prejudice and racial and ethnic discrimination. These issues began with the importation of African Slaves in the 17^th century.  The Civil War and 14th amendment ended American slavery, but the prejudice and discrimination it created still exist in the modern world. I also learned that these issues usually form in very early life; they are shaped by family, school, and society.
       In world literature class, I continue to learn about social justice, not in documents and articles, but in stories, plays, and poems. I have come to believe that literature has the ability to reflect the issues of society. The evidence for saying that is the novel The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyem. This is one of books we read in class. The author of the book talks about how the girl, Jess, was born in Nigeria in 1984 to a Nigerian mother and an English father. They lived in London since their daughter was a little girl.  In this novel, the author mentions Jess’s experience of discrimination in an educational environment. She was treated in a different way because of her color and race.
       I also learned about these sensitive issues in another book in class is called July’s People by Nadine Gordimer. This book was a rewarded Nobel Prize in 1991. In her book, the author talks about anti-apartheid struggle, racism, prejudice, gender, and domination of people in South Africa. To achieve this goal, the author uses the comparisons between white families and black families. The white family has very good living conditions. They have room for every different living function (Gordimer 19). On the other hand, the black family has a single room, and everyone must sleep together on the single floor and use the restroom outdoors.
      The author also gives some examples of the economic inequalities that come from racial differences. During apartheid, black people had very few opportunities for jobs. The black men had to leave families behind to go to the city to find jobs. White men and women had greater access education and jobs.
       There are inequalities that are noticed in July’s People, as well. The first relationship is between husband and wife in the white family. This is a type of patriarchal household (Gordimer 11). The second relationship is July and his wife. They are likely a more matriarchal family because the woman has to take care of the family while the man goes far from home for work. Even though there is an opportunity for equality between July and his wife, it seems like July is still very much in charge, and July is a person who makes made final decisions. (Gordimer 22)
        In conclusion, both classes give me an opportunity to learn and understand the concepts of prejudice, racial and ethnic discrimination, and social justice. I would like to borrow an idea from Henry David Thoreau; “it is never too late to give up prejudice, discrimination in any way.” These concepts have a “strong energy” to bring hurt, stress, and pain to people who are victims of discrimination and create “dark color” in a beautiful picture of our society. In contrast, to make this picture more attractive, we need to think and act not just by our minds but also by our hearts. To do that is not easy for many people, but this is a mission that the Creator gave to each person who is living and working as a human being.

Masks by Fumiko Enchi

 

Masks by Fumiko Enchi which is the first Japanese novel I have ever read. Some of the main characters in this novel are the widowed Mieko, Yasuko, the widowed daughter in-law of Mieko. Harume, twin sister of Yasuko’s husband, who pretty but retarded. Besides Mieko and Yasuko, two men play important roles. Ibuki, a professor of Japanese literature and a friend of Yasuko’s deceased husband, is married and has a young daughter. Mikame is a bachelor psychiatrist. Both men are in love with Yasuko. 

After learning about this novel, I paid attention to “Noh masks” so, what is the meaning of Noh masks, what is their significance and how do the characters react to them?
What is a mask? A mask is just a decoration or article worn on the face for disguise, entertainment purposes or even as a form of protection . Noh is derived from the Japanese word for "skill" or "talent" Noh is a major form of classical Japanese musical drama that has been performed since the 14th century. Many characters are masked, with men playing male and female roles. (http://www.coreofculture.org/noh.html )
       In the section of the novel- from pages 21 to 26, I realized the significance of Masks. The masks were mainly feminine in nature and had striking features about the eyes and mouth. When a person puts on the mask , all the normal characteristics of that individual seemed to be taken away. A man could put on the mask of a woman and he would no longer appear masculine in his face.
      How do the characters react to these masks? There are three types of masks that Enchi mentions in her novel. The first mask is Ryo no onna which is mentioned in page 25 as “the finest mask in the Yakushiji collection … and represents the vengeful spirit of an older woman.” On page 26, Yasuko tells Ibuki, “I see those masks must be my own mother - in -law not because she sees Noh performed so often …..but because of that look of utter tranquility they have- a deeply inward sort of look. I think Japanese women long ago must have had that look. And it seems to me she must be one of the last women who lives that way still-like the masks-with her deepest energies turned inward.” The author describes Meiko’s character as being like a Noh Mask. We can see this in another place in novel, “She is like the face on the Noh Mask, wrapped in her own secrets (p 31).
     The second mask is Masugani. This mask is “that of a young woman in a state of frenzy” (61) Ibuki is sure that he went to bed with Yasuko but in the middle of the night, he saw Harume beside him instead Yasuko. The  Harume’s face is a “face of Masugani”.
     The last Noh Mask is Fukai. It means “deep well.”This mask was presented to Meiko. The mask stands for the heart of old woman (p.141).
          Each kind of mask plays a role in the life of the characters of this novel. I recognized that Meiko used masks in order to fulfill her own revenge. She wants to payback her husband and men in her society.
         From this story, I can see how in real life, many people often use technique that Meiko used for the purpose of her revenge. They wear masks not in drama, but in daily life. They have the ability to show kindness in front of people, but, behind the backs of people they do evil things. They wear whatever kind of mask they have to get their plans.
        In conclusion, masks are used in many cultures for decoration, making fun, and relaxing. However, masks are also tools for many people to use to do bad things to others. I think people should wear masks only for purposes of fun not to hide behind.

Reference:

Mask by Enchi http://www.jstor.org/discover
http://www.coreofculture.org/noh.html )

 

 

Tao Te Ching

In world literature, I learned about the Tao Te Ching. I would like to share with you some thoughts of mine about this ancient text.

“Tao” means “The Way”. “Te” carries the meaning of virtue, inner strength, or personal integrity. “Ching” means a great book. Therefore, Tao Te  Ching would be translated into English: “The Great Book on the Way of Virtue”.

 This ancient text has 81 verses. It probably dates from the third or fourth century B.C. Some believe it may be from as early as the sixth century B.C.  It is said that, although this text is short, it is a source for achieving a way of life which includes integrity, joy, peace, and balance. Dr. Sears stated that Tao Te Ching reflects on history, literature, culture, politics, and religion. 

The Tao Te Ching was written by Lao Tzu, the Chinese philosopher. In my research, I found an interesting legend about him which also explains to us why he got his name as Lao Tzu. “It is said that Lao Tzu’s mother was pregnant with him for decades so that he was born with a long white beard and cane. Thus the name Lao Tzu which mean ‘Old Child.’” (Encyclopedia)

Because of time limitations, we did not learn all 81 verses of the Tao Te Ching. However, we took the time to read and analyze some famous sections. The 14^th verse is the most interesting to me.

Looked at but cannot be seen - it is beneath form;
Listened to but cannot be heard - it is beneath sound;
Held but cannot be touched - it is beneath feeling;
These depthless things evade definition,
And blend into a single mystery.

In its rising there is no light,
In its falling there is no darkness,
A continuous thread beyond description,
Lining what cannot occur;
Its form formless,
Its image nothing,
Its name silence;
Follow it, it has no back,
Meet it, it has no face.

Attend the present to deal with the past;
Thus you grasp the continuity of the Way,
Which is its essence.

            Some scholars have said that this section of the Tao Te Ching is the most significant of all its 81 verses because it stresses the significance of the single principle that is the underpinning of all existence.

Reading the first five lines of this section, I try to imagine what “cannot be heard,” “cannot be seen,” and “cannot be touched,” but is and always has been. According to Lao Tzu, it is Tao. For me Tao is a Supreme Being, we cannot hear, see, or touch the Supreme Being directly. Nevertheless, we can always sense that there is such a Being present in our lives.

In the second part of this verse, I come to believe that the reason we cannot understand the Supreme Being, is because the characteristic by which we identify someone are hard to grasp. It is hard to understand how darkness cannot be dark or dawn cannot bring with it light. 

Continuing the analysis, I believe that even if one wants to follow to this Supreme Being it would be difficult as the Being is characterized as being silent and formless.

In conclusion, even if one spends an entire lifetime trying to comprehend Tao, it would almost be impossible to have a true image of the Being described in this verse.  Yes, we believe that Tao is always present in our lives, but the presence of the Tao is invisible.    

 

 

                                           Works Cited

Benet's Reader's Encyclopedia. R 803 B435BN. Print

Reflection on the Poem "The Traveling of Onion"

                  

I want to share with you my reflection on the poem, “The Traveling Onion,” written by Naomi Shihab Nye.

 On the surface, I think that the author talks about the role of the onion in adding flavor to food we eat in our daily life. But through closing reading, I discovered something more: “And I would never scold the onion for causing tears. It is right that tears fall for something small and forgotten.” In this case, I understand that the author uses the onion as a symbol for other things which are “small and forgotten.” It reminds me of how often we forget the people who play a small role in our community. If nobody wanted to take a small part in community, I am for sure this community would not have good harmony and even not exist. Therefore, in community life, whether people work a small job or work on a big project, they are important in life of the community.    

I am also interested in the idea that the poet mentions in the end of this poem, “For the sake of others, disappear.” Like the onion which sacrifices itself for flavor to feed, many people in the time of the author were willing to lay down their lives for others. True giving is that take place without seeking a reward. A good example of this kind of giving is Mother Teresa who never waited  around to be thanks for her efforts.

I really like this poem because the author has ability to see greatness in normal things. Often time people overlook the normal things in life because they think they are unimportant. However, it is a simple thing in life that become the really important thing because they are the things that touch us in our day to day life style. Actually, one can never say that something which necessary for life and happiness can ever be considered unimportant.