Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Overdue work!!!
Grades are due Friday!!!!! THOSE of you who have not submitted your movie review know that you will be receiving a failing grade. We all consented to the assignment, and the date. Yet some assignments have not been handed in!!!!! and these are the same people who have failed the exam.
Dramatic Techniques taken from english y11 drama
DRAMATIC TECHNIQUES
Speech directions
Words in brackets that tell the actor how to say the lines. This helps us to
understand the feelings of the character easily.
Asides
When a character temporarily turns away from another character and speaks directly
to the audience. This helps us to understand a character’s real feelings at a particular
moment in a play. It is often used for humour or to help us empathise with a
character.
Entrance and exits
It is important to notice when characters exit and enter a scene. Pay particular
attention to what is being said as they enter or what they say as they leave.
Shakespeare often had characters leaving after a dramatic rhyming couplet (two
lines that rhyme).
Scenes and Acts
It is important to pay attention to when a playwright chooses to end a scene and an
Act (a number of scenes). It is usually significant in building audience expectations of
what is to come. This is sometimes a cliff hanger.
Symbolism
When an object is used to represent something else, e.g. a broken vase may
symbolise a broken relationship.
Stage Directions
Read these carefully. They tell us what should be happening on stage and will often
include clues, e.g. the darkening of the stage may suggest something bad
approaching.
Off-stage
Noises off-stage may indicate the coming of conflict, of something bad likely to
happen.
Recurring imagery
Look out for repeated words, phrases and images. Together, these create a sense of
mood or a key theme, e.g. references to chains may suggest the feeling of
imprisonment.
Prose or verse
In older plays, it is possible to tell the status of a character or the mood of the scene
by whether it is written as poetry or in everyday speech, e.g. characters of low
status do not speak in verse and comic scenes are often written in prose.
Soliloquy
When a character is alone on stage and speaks out his or her thoughts aloud.
Language that invites action
A character can say something that requires others to act or react. Look out for what
this tells us about the character, e.g. a sudden order might suggest frustration.
Language and length
Look out for how much or little is said by characters. Playwrights will often change
the pace (slowing down or speeding up) by how the characters speak.
Speech directions
Words in brackets that tell the actor how to say the lines. This helps us to
understand the feelings of the character easily.
Asides
When a character temporarily turns away from another character and speaks directly
to the audience. This helps us to understand a character’s real feelings at a particular
moment in a play. It is often used for humour or to help us empathise with a
character.
Entrance and exits
It is important to notice when characters exit and enter a scene. Pay particular
attention to what is being said as they enter or what they say as they leave.
Shakespeare often had characters leaving after a dramatic rhyming couplet (two
lines that rhyme).
Scenes and Acts
It is important to pay attention to when a playwright chooses to end a scene and an
Act (a number of scenes). It is usually significant in building audience expectations of
what is to come. This is sometimes a cliff hanger.
Symbolism
When an object is used to represent something else, e.g. a broken vase may
symbolise a broken relationship.
Stage Directions
Read these carefully. They tell us what should be happening on stage and will often
include clues, e.g. the darkening of the stage may suggest something bad
approaching.
Off-stage
Noises off-stage may indicate the coming of conflict, of something bad likely to
happen.
Recurring imagery
Look out for repeated words, phrases and images. Together, these create a sense of
mood or a key theme, e.g. references to chains may suggest the feeling of
imprisonment.
Prose or verse
In older plays, it is possible to tell the status of a character or the mood of the scene
by whether it is written as poetry or in everyday speech, e.g. characters of low
status do not speak in verse and comic scenes are often written in prose.
Soliloquy
When a character is alone on stage and speaks out his or her thoughts aloud.
Language that invites action
A character can say something that requires others to act or react. Look out for what
this tells us about the character, e.g. a sudden order might suggest frustration.
Language and length
Look out for how much or little is said by characters. Playwrights will often change
the pace (slowing down or speeding up) by how the characters speak.
Drama Conventions taken from Wiki Pedia
 | What does conventions mean in drama? | [Edit] |
[Edit] 
Convention
The means the playwright employs are determined at least in part by dramatic convention. Greek: Playwrights of this era often worked with familiar story material, legend about gods and famous families that the audience was familiar with. Since the audience was familiar with certain aspects of these, the playwrights used allusion rather than explicit exposition. In representing action, they often relied on messengers to report off-stage action. For interpretation the Greeks relied on the CHORUS, a body of onlookers, usually citizens or elders, whose comments on the play reflected reactions common to the community. These plays were written in metered verse arranged in elaborate stanzas. This required intense attention from the audience. English Drama: Minor chara cters play an important role in providing information and guiding interpretation. The confidant, a friend or servant, listens to the complaints, plans and reminiscences of a major character. Minor characters casually comment among themselves on major characters and plot development. Extended SOLILOQUY enables a major character to reveal his thoughts in much greater detail than in natural dialogue. ASIDES, remarks made to the audience but not heard by those on the stage, are common. Realism: Toward the end of the nineteenth century, realistic depiction of everyday life entered the genre of drama, whereas the characters may be unconventional and their thoughts turbulent and fantasy-ridden. Contemporary: Experimentation seems to be the key word here. A NARRATOR replaces the messenger, the chorus and the confidant. FLASHBACKS often substitute for narration. Many contemporary playwrights have abandoned recognizable setting, chronological sequence and characterization through dialogue.
Exam Post Mortem
Exams have been marked. Things to note.
- -please know what stage conventions are
- Modern Drama is Death of a Sales man. Many of you failed this section in the exam. You have to compare Shakespeare to Death of a Salesman and Clear Light of Day is to be answered on its own. Clear Light of Day is a Post Colonial text.
- Know what Dramatic Techniques are. If you are going to choose the questions at least have 4 examples of the techniques that are being used, and NAME them.
- We ALL know the story line of the plays, and novel. Do not rehash everything. Tie it in to what the questions are asking.
- Make sure you have a good introduction, and conclusion.
- Make up your mind which point of view Clear light of Day is told in, and stay constant with that decision. Is it Bim or is it Tara?
- If you don't know what the question is asking you , DON'T DO IT!!!!
- What ever is your position at the beginning of the essay, please stay with it to the end.
Final Class
I would like to thank all of you for your hard work and love throughout the last 2 years. I am wishing you all the best, in your academic life. Continue to aspire to be the very best, and remember when you feel you can't go on, and the hand of life seems to be unfair remember that God never gives you more than you can handle. Congrats again!!
Mrs. Buffonge
Mrs. Buffonge
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Movie Review Question 2.
Watch this scene. Why is this scene sad. Identify where this scene is taken from. What is the dramatic significance of this scene?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pky1BVTEJm8. Which movie version do you prefer.
Excellent Review for King Lear
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a6Vs3sbAW8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVgMaPjPRGg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22MuYbhrWk4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD-PQPOw5cU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVgMaPjPRGg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22MuYbhrWk4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD-PQPOw5cU
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Polictical Situation in Clear Light of Day written by Lisa Grup
"Much of the conflict in India during the time of Anita Desai's novel Clear Light of Day centers upon religious tensions between the Muslims and Hindus. Desai, while mentioning the events that were caused by the religious tensions, neglects to address the religion issue in any great detail. While there is little mention of religion, language, which in India is divided along religious lines, is brought up many times. As Desai demonstrates in her novel, language can have a profound impact on people's lives. It can divide people who otherwise share similar backgrounds, or it can unite people who are extremely different. By studying the language usage in Desai's novel, similarities can be drawn between certain aspects of the Das sibling's relationship and the political situation in India; Urdu and Hindi, the native languages of India, divided the Das siblings as well as India in a time of turmoil, while English was able to unite them.
Unlike the native languages of most countries, the language of India is quite fragmented and divides its people. Hindi and English are the co-official languages of what is now India, while Urdu is the official language of Pakistan. The government of India recognizes 112 mother tongues. From 179 to 188 languages have been tabulated, and as many as 544 dialects identified. The Indian constitution recognizes 18 state languages, including Urdu (Encarta 1). Despite their separate names, Hindi and Urdu are actually slightly different dialects of the same language. The main differences lie in their vocabulary sources, scripts, and religious traditions. Hindi is spoken mainly by Hindus; Urdu is predominantly spoken by Muslims; in India as well as throughout Pakistan (Encarta 2). The Das siblings, excluding Baba, who did not communicate well, were deeply affected by these language differences.
In school the Das children were forced to learn different languages, as the political situation in India changed. Before the Partition, Raja was allowed to choose which language, Hindi or Urdu, he wanted to study. Whether chosen by the Das parents or by Raja himself, the choice was made because of what social class the family was in, or wanted to be in. As Desai tells us, "Urdu had been the court language in the days of the Muslims and Moghul rulers and had persisted as the language of the learned and the cultivated" (Desai 47). Raja's obsession with Hyder Ali also could have had an impact on his choice although Desai does not mention when Raja started to learn Urdu or if he even knew Hyder Ali at that time. By the time Bim and Tara got to school, they were forced to study Hindi because of the political turmoil of the time. "Hindi was not then considered a language of great pedigree; it had little to show for itself in its modern, clipped, workaday form, and its literature was all in ancient, extinct dialects" (Desai 47). Raja thought that Hindi was a horrible language and wondered how one could even think, let alone compose poetry in Hindi. Raja loved to compose poetry in Urdu and to also read poetry by his favorite Urdu poet, Iqbal. Sir Muhammad Iqbal was a "Pakistani philosopher, poet, and political leader. His poetry and philosophy, stress the rebirth of Islamic and spiritual redemption through self-development, moral integrity, and individual freedom" (Encarta 3). Bim and Tara could not understand this poetry with which Raja's life was consumed.
By learning Urdu, Raja separated himself from his family and Hindu friends and connected himself to the Hyder Ali family. Going to the Hyder Ali's garden parties brought him close to Muslims and their conversations, and he began to view things the way they did. "When the boys at the Hindu College found that Raja was one Hindu who actually accepted the idea of Pakistan as feasible, they changed from charmed friends into dangerous enemies" (Desai 57). This caused his Hindu friends to think that he was a traitor to the Indian cause. "When he spoke to them [fellow students] of Pakistan as something he quite accepted, they turned on him openly, called him a traitor, drowned out his piping efforts at reasonableness with the powerful arguments of fanatics" (Desai 57). Eventually Raja marries into this Muslim family that he had visited so many times in his youth. Raja's reading of Urdu and Iqbal separated him from his siblings, while uniting him with the Muslims.
English, while it was an imposed language, united Raja, Bim and Tara in an intellectual way. Most people were able to speak English, so even though they spoke different native languages, this product of colonization was able to bring them together. Bim and Raja were able to share in their joy of poetry and reading when it came to English literature. Most of the quotes in the novel are from English authors because both Raja and Bim could understand and appreciate them. Being able to read English literature together was a bond that Raja and Bim would have for the rest of their lives, even if they didn't want to admit it. Tara also benefited from the English language; her goal was to escape from her childhood and the house that never changed. Knowing the English language allowed her to do this. Because she knew English, she was able to marry Bakul, who was a very cultured man and would have to travel all over the world.
The language division had the same effect on the country as it did on the Das siblings. Hindi and Urdu, which represented Hinduism and Islam, literally split the country into two countries, India and Pakistan. "The plan for federation proved unworkable for a variety of reason, including Muslim claims that the Hindus would have excessive influence in the national legislature. As an alternative, the Muslim League advocated the creation of an independent Muslim state, Pakistan" (Encarta 5). The country was not just divided by Hindi and Urdu, but also by the fact that there were so many Hindi dialects. The many Hindi dialects made it difficult for Hindus in the same country to communicate with each other. When trying to gain its independence from England, India was bogged down by internal divisions caused by language and religion. "Between 1922, the year of the initial imprisonment of Gandhi for sedition, and 1942, when he was placed into custody for the last time, the fight of Indian independence was marked by serious setbacks, including the renewal of dissension between Muslims and Hindus" (Encarta 4). Hindi and Urdu were both languages that were beginning to decay, just like the government and the unity between people fighting for the common goal of independence.
The English presence in India produced many changes, including the widespread use of the English language; people from all over the country and from numerous backgrounds were able to communicate in this common language. Not only has English broken down religious barriers, but it has destroyed social lines as well. "The stringency of the caste system of the Hindus was broken down greatly during the period of British rule in India. The obligation of the son to follow the calling of his father is no longer binding; men of low castes have risen to high ranks and positions of power; and excommunication, or the loss of caste is not as serious as it may once have been" (Encarta 6). English was able to break down the social stratifications that the Indians had maintained for centuries. This gave the country more people that were educated and were able to help the country in this time of turmoil; English was able to unite the people that were fighting for their independence against the English.
Language can be used as either a means of dividing or of uniting people. It can be used, as in Clear Light of Day, as a way to reinforce religious divisions, or, as in present day Quebec, Canada, it can be the sole reason for separation. A common language, among different people can be used as a way to unify them, as it was this novel. Language, as you may have guessed by now, can be very paradoxical. In America, slight variations of the same language can drastically separate people socially, while at the same time uniting them as Americans. The languages used in Desai's novel represent the conflicts in the Das house as well as in India"(Lisa Grup, 2000).
Witten by Lisa Grup
2/21/00
English 124 Section 13
Unlike the native languages of most countries, the language of India is quite fragmented and divides its people. Hindi and English are the co-official languages of what is now India, while Urdu is the official language of Pakistan. The government of India recognizes 112 mother tongues. From 179 to 188 languages have been tabulated, and as many as 544 dialects identified. The Indian constitution recognizes 18 state languages, including Urdu (Encarta 1). Despite their separate names, Hindi and Urdu are actually slightly different dialects of the same language. The main differences lie in their vocabulary sources, scripts, and religious traditions. Hindi is spoken mainly by Hindus; Urdu is predominantly spoken by Muslims; in India as well as throughout Pakistan (Encarta 2). The Das siblings, excluding Baba, who did not communicate well, were deeply affected by these language differences.
In school the Das children were forced to learn different languages, as the political situation in India changed. Before the Partition, Raja was allowed to choose which language, Hindi or Urdu, he wanted to study. Whether chosen by the Das parents or by Raja himself, the choice was made because of what social class the family was in, or wanted to be in. As Desai tells us, "Urdu had been the court language in the days of the Muslims and Moghul rulers and had persisted as the language of the learned and the cultivated" (Desai 47). Raja's obsession with Hyder Ali also could have had an impact on his choice although Desai does not mention when Raja started to learn Urdu or if he even knew Hyder Ali at that time. By the time Bim and Tara got to school, they were forced to study Hindi because of the political turmoil of the time. "Hindi was not then considered a language of great pedigree; it had little to show for itself in its modern, clipped, workaday form, and its literature was all in ancient, extinct dialects" (Desai 47). Raja thought that Hindi was a horrible language and wondered how one could even think, let alone compose poetry in Hindi. Raja loved to compose poetry in Urdu and to also read poetry by his favorite Urdu poet, Iqbal. Sir Muhammad Iqbal was a "Pakistani philosopher, poet, and political leader. His poetry and philosophy, stress the rebirth of Islamic and spiritual redemption through self-development, moral integrity, and individual freedom" (Encarta 3). Bim and Tara could not understand this poetry with which Raja's life was consumed.
By learning Urdu, Raja separated himself from his family and Hindu friends and connected himself to the Hyder Ali family. Going to the Hyder Ali's garden parties brought him close to Muslims and their conversations, and he began to view things the way they did. "When the boys at the Hindu College found that Raja was one Hindu who actually accepted the idea of Pakistan as feasible, they changed from charmed friends into dangerous enemies" (Desai 57). This caused his Hindu friends to think that he was a traitor to the Indian cause. "When he spoke to them [fellow students] of Pakistan as something he quite accepted, they turned on him openly, called him a traitor, drowned out his piping efforts at reasonableness with the powerful arguments of fanatics" (Desai 57). Eventually Raja marries into this Muslim family that he had visited so many times in his youth. Raja's reading of Urdu and Iqbal separated him from his siblings, while uniting him with the Muslims.
English, while it was an imposed language, united Raja, Bim and Tara in an intellectual way. Most people were able to speak English, so even though they spoke different native languages, this product of colonization was able to bring them together. Bim and Raja were able to share in their joy of poetry and reading when it came to English literature. Most of the quotes in the novel are from English authors because both Raja and Bim could understand and appreciate them. Being able to read English literature together was a bond that Raja and Bim would have for the rest of their lives, even if they didn't want to admit it. Tara also benefited from the English language; her goal was to escape from her childhood and the house that never changed. Knowing the English language allowed her to do this. Because she knew English, she was able to marry Bakul, who was a very cultured man and would have to travel all over the world.
The language division had the same effect on the country as it did on the Das siblings. Hindi and Urdu, which represented Hinduism and Islam, literally split the country into two countries, India and Pakistan. "The plan for federation proved unworkable for a variety of reason, including Muslim claims that the Hindus would have excessive influence in the national legislature. As an alternative, the Muslim League advocated the creation of an independent Muslim state, Pakistan" (Encarta 5). The country was not just divided by Hindi and Urdu, but also by the fact that there were so many Hindi dialects. The many Hindi dialects made it difficult for Hindus in the same country to communicate with each other. When trying to gain its independence from England, India was bogged down by internal divisions caused by language and religion. "Between 1922, the year of the initial imprisonment of Gandhi for sedition, and 1942, when he was placed into custody for the last time, the fight of Indian independence was marked by serious setbacks, including the renewal of dissension between Muslims and Hindus" (Encarta 4). Hindi and Urdu were both languages that were beginning to decay, just like the government and the unity between people fighting for the common goal of independence.
The English presence in India produced many changes, including the widespread use of the English language; people from all over the country and from numerous backgrounds were able to communicate in this common language. Not only has English broken down religious barriers, but it has destroyed social lines as well. "The stringency of the caste system of the Hindus was broken down greatly during the period of British rule in India. The obligation of the son to follow the calling of his father is no longer binding; men of low castes have risen to high ranks and positions of power; and excommunication, or the loss of caste is not as serious as it may once have been" (Encarta 6). English was able to break down the social stratifications that the Indians had maintained for centuries. This gave the country more people that were educated and were able to help the country in this time of turmoil; English was able to unite the people that were fighting for their independence against the English.
Language can be used as either a means of dividing or of uniting people. It can be used, as in Clear Light of Day, as a way to reinforce religious divisions, or, as in present day Quebec, Canada, it can be the sole reason for separation. A common language, among different people can be used as a way to unify them, as it was this novel. Language, as you may have guessed by now, can be very paradoxical. In America, slight variations of the same language can drastically separate people socially, while at the same time uniting them as Americans. The languages used in Desai's novel represent the conflicts in the Das house as well as in India"(Lisa Grup, 2000).
Witten by Lisa Grup
2/21/00
English 124 Section 13
The political situation in the country while the siblings are growing up is corrupt and
unstable. However, the children seem to be sheltered from it in their home in Old
Delhi, while the action all seems to happen in the city. How does the political situation affect the outcome of the story? Does it create any tension for the family? Would the story have been different had it taken place with a peaceful backdrop?
unstable. However, the children seem to be sheltered from it in their home in Old
Delhi, while the action all seems to happen in the city. How does the political situation affect the outcome of the story? Does it create any tension for the family? Would the story have been different had it taken place with a peaceful backdrop?
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Character Sketch
Bim Das, a history teacher. The unmarried, eldest Das daughter, now over forty, still lives in the decaying family home situated on the outskirts of Old Delhi. Slightly heavy and turning gray, Bim is not particularly attractive and makes little effort to be so. Her energy and capability, along with her keen understanding, compensate for whatever she lacks physically. Shown through flashbacks in her younger years, Bim has always been at peace with herself and managed to convey that quality to others. She represents the old India: spiritual, peaceful,...
Look at the following character's in the novel and provide a character sketch for one of the following character. The above is an example of what I am looking for. Tara, Misra, Baba, Bakul, Raja, Hyder Ali. Due Tuesday.
Look at the following character's in the novel and provide a character sketch for one of the following character. The above is an example of what I am looking for. Tara, Misra, Baba, Bakul, Raja, Hyder Ali. Due Tuesday.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Setting
The novel goes back and forth in time but takes place only in Old Delhi, going from
the late 1940s to approximately the 1970s. The entire novel takes place in the family
home. Although the characters leave the house for small amounts of time, the bulk of
the story takes place in the house. The house grows older with time, and its inhabitants either pass or move away; Bim and Baba are the only two who remain throughout the entire novel. The four parts of the story move back and forth in time from the sibling's childhood to adulthood in each of the four parts, although even these center around the family home, as well.
Posted by Mrs. N. Buffonge
the late 1940s to approximately the 1970s. The entire novel takes place in the family
home. Although the characters leave the house for small amounts of time, the bulk of
the story takes place in the house. The house grows older with time, and its inhabitants either pass or move away; Bim and Baba are the only two who remain throughout the entire novel. The four parts of the story move back and forth in time from the sibling's childhood to adulthood in each of the four parts, although even these center around the family home, as well.
Posted by Mrs. N. Buffonge
The Well
The well is located in the family's garden and serves as a symbol for darkness and
death for the children from childhood through adulthood. When the siblings were
children, their family purchased a cow that was a source of great pride and attention
for all of them.
One day, however, as the nights grew warmer and it was no longer
necessary to keep the cow tied up in the shed overnight, she was let loose in the
garden and, during the night, fell into the well and drowned. She left her young calf
behind and it died soon after. It proved impossible to pull the body of the cow out of the well and so there it remained, forever. The fact that the cow's body remained in the well, decaying, was something that terrified the children. The entire ordeal proved traumatic to them, and the well became a source of fear for the children. They never dared go near the well, and dared each other to throw things into it. The fear they felt toward the well stayed with them even into adulthood. They never dared go near it,and, even as adults, the reluctance remained.
When they were children, the well was regarded as a dark and scary place, a place that symbolized death and other unpleasant, horrible things. The extent to which it stayed in their memories became evident when Aunt Mira passed away. Bim, who had nursed her from the start of her sickness, was deeply affected by the death of her aunt. After she passed away, Bim had recurring dreams and visions of her aunts, and many of those dreams centered around the well. One vision she had in a dream was of Aunt Mira's mangled face floating in the black water of the well. This only goes to show how deeply the association of death and the well had been ingrained in Bim from her childhood experience.
Posted by Mrs. N. Buffonge
death for the children from childhood through adulthood. When the siblings were
children, their family purchased a cow that was a source of great pride and attention
for all of them.
One day, however, as the nights grew warmer and it was no longer
necessary to keep the cow tied up in the shed overnight, she was let loose in the
garden and, during the night, fell into the well and drowned. She left her young calf
behind and it died soon after. It proved impossible to pull the body of the cow out of the well and so there it remained, forever. The fact that the cow's body remained in the well, decaying, was something that terrified the children. The entire ordeal proved traumatic to them, and the well became a source of fear for the children. They never dared go near the well, and dared each other to throw things into it. The fear they felt toward the well stayed with them even into adulthood. They never dared go near it,and, even as adults, the reluctance remained.
When they were children, the well was regarded as a dark and scary place, a place that symbolized death and other unpleasant, horrible things. The extent to which it stayed in their memories became evident when Aunt Mira passed away. Bim, who had nursed her from the start of her sickness, was deeply affected by the death of her aunt. After she passed away, Bim had recurring dreams and visions of her aunts, and many of those dreams centered around the well. One vision she had in a dream was of Aunt Mira's mangled face floating in the black water of the well. This only goes to show how deeply the association of death and the well had been ingrained in Bim from her childhood experience.
Posted by Mrs. N. Buffonge
Question on Aunt Mira.
Aunt Mira plays a crucial role in the children's upbringing. Yet as the children grow older, all but Bim leave her and don't return until her death. Describe the importance of Aunt Mira's presence as the children were growing up. What did she provide for them? What did they, in turn, provide for her? How did this contribute to her downfall?What are your thoughts on this questions.
posted by Mrs. N. Buffonge.
Point of View of Clear Light of Day
Style
Point of View
The story is told entirely in third person, by an omniscient narrator. Each, section,
however, concentrates on a specific character and takes place in a different time
period. Part 1 concentrates primarily on Tara and her arrival at the house. Her
observations of the sameness of the house and its inhabitants provide the reader with
his/her initial descriptions and characterizations of the characters. Part 2 goes back in
time to when the children were growing up, and centers primarily on Bim. The reader
is given a completely different outlook on the characters and rationalizations for their
behavior in the first section as adults. Part 3 also takes place during the children's
childhood and focuses mainly on the two sisters and their differing experiences in
school, as well as their relationship and differing personalities. The reader learns a
great deal about them through interactions as children that relate directly to their
relationship as adults.
Part 4 goes back in time again to Tara's visit to the house as an adult, and concludes
the novel with a truce between the sisters. By telling the story in four parts and
centering each of the parts on a different character, Desai is able to create complete
characterizations of each of the main characters and provide her readers with a
thorough understanding of each of them. By alternating the focus of each of the parts
on the thoughts and feelings of the two main characters, Desai is able to fully
characterize each of them. The readers are able to understand and sympathize with
both characters as they view the world through their eyes, rather than just one or the
other.
Posted by Mrs. Buffonge.
Point of View
The story is told entirely in third person, by an omniscient narrator. Each, section,
however, concentrates on a specific character and takes place in a different time
period. Part 1 concentrates primarily on Tara and her arrival at the house. Her
observations of the sameness of the house and its inhabitants provide the reader with
his/her initial descriptions and characterizations of the characters. Part 2 goes back in
time to when the children were growing up, and centers primarily on Bim. The reader
is given a completely different outlook on the characters and rationalizations for their
behavior in the first section as adults. Part 3 also takes place during the children's
childhood and focuses mainly on the two sisters and their differing experiences in
school, as well as their relationship and differing personalities. The reader learns a
great deal about them through interactions as children that relate directly to their
relationship as adults.
Part 4 goes back in time again to Tara's visit to the house as an adult, and concludes
the novel with a truce between the sisters. By telling the story in four parts and
centering each of the parts on a different character, Desai is able to create complete
characterizations of each of the main characters and provide her readers with a
thorough understanding of each of them. By alternating the focus of each of the parts
on the thoughts and feelings of the two main characters, Desai is able to fully
characterize each of them. The readers are able to understand and sympathize with
both characters as they view the world through their eyes, rather than just one or the
other.
Posted by Mrs. Buffonge.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Clear Light of Day #2 " March 18th, 09"
Discuss the representation of freedom and entrapment in Clear Light of Day ?
Clear Light of Day " March 18th, 09"
"It is the narrative voice that is largely responsible for providing the moral perspective in works of prose fiction." To what extent is this statment true.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Language and Meaning
Anita Desai uses language to her advantage, providing her readers with a great deal ofimagery, extremely colorful language, and recurring themes to emphasize the
development of her characters. Her vivid descriptions provide her readers with a clear
picture of her native country of India, where the story takes place, and also clearly
portrays the setting and, most importantly, her characters. Desai uses a variety of
literary devices, including metaphors, recurring themes and imagery in her colorful
descriptions that add a great deal to the story by painting a clear picture in the minds
of her readers of her characters, their personalities and childhood experiences, as well
as the setting that, although it appears the same on the surface, shows signs of small
but significant change upon closer inspection.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Clear Light of Day
The political situation in the country, while the children are growing up is corrupted and unstable. However, the children seem to be sheltered from it in the city. How does the political situation influence the story? How does it create a tension in the family? Would the story be different if there was a peaceful backdrop?
Latoya Letlow, Janyessa Humphrey, Grace- ann James and Sharia Greene.
Latoya Letlow, Janyessa Humphrey, Grace- ann James and Sharia Greene.
Clear light of day
Question
In Anita Desai Clear light of day do you belive that Raja's poems had some sort of significance? If so what is the significance?
Shemez
In Anita Desai Clear light of day do you belive that Raja's poems had some sort of significance? If so what is the significance?
Shemez
clear light of day
Question
It takes Tara many years before she finally relinquishes her guilt to Bim amd apologizes for her behaviour. It also takes Bim a great deal of time to forgive Raja for his letter and accept him. Was the time laspe necessary? How would the story and and the characters lives been different if they had been able to forgive and forget sooner? Do you think this would have been possible?
Shemez Roland and Marisia
It takes Tara many years before she finally relinquishes her guilt to Bim amd apologizes for her behaviour. It also takes Bim a great deal of time to forgive Raja for his letter and accept him. Was the time laspe necessary? How would the story and and the characters lives been different if they had been able to forgive and forget sooner? Do you think this would have been possible?
Shemez Roland and Marisia
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Character of Baba
Question "# 3
Baba's character seems to stay the same throughout the story.He is silent and never speaks, yet plays an important role in
the lives of the other characters and in the development
of the novel. Describe this role and what it brings to the novel.
Question # 2
Aunt Misra plays a crucial role in the children's upbringing. Yet, as the children grow older, all but Bim leave her and don't return until her death. Describe the importance of Aunt Misra's presence as the children were growing up. What did she provide for them? What did they, in turn, provide for her? How did this contribute to her downfall?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Welcome to Year 2 Literature Clear Light of Day
Discussion Question # 1 Submitted by Mrs. N. Buffonge.
In the family of Tara, Baba, and Bimla, One can see that there is a lot of resentment with each other. We see some of the causes and strains that exist between Bimla and Tara, but what is the underlining factor why Bimla and Raja are not close anymore?
In the family of Tara, Baba, and Bimla, One can see that there is a lot of resentment with each other. We see some of the causes and strains that exist between Bimla and Tara, but what is the underlining factor why Bimla and Raja are not close anymore?
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