Wuthering Heights-simile/metaphor

"My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods. Time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees-my love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath-a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff-he's always, always in my mind."pg. 84

Similes and metaphors are used in stories to create comparisons between two or more things. Catherine is a weary character. She is in a tangled love mess with Heathcliff, her childhood love, and Edgar Linton her husband. However, she is unsure of who is the right choice. In her case, Catherine compares her love. Catherine knows that time will change her feelings of Linton just as the wind blows the foliage. In that case, why does she marry him? She says that her and Heathcliff's love is like rocks. Rocks are sturday and non-changing, yet she does not "choose" him as her lover. Obviously Catherine has a greater love for Heathcliff made true in her comparison. There is more to the story to find out why she chose Linton and her reasoning on keeping with her decision though a weary one. Nelly, is a strongheaded woman. She acts like a mediator for Cathy and does nothing but listen and ask for deeper meaning. She plays along to Catherine's comparison.

Wuthering Heights- characterization

"She was slender, and apparently scarcely past girlhood: an admirable form, and the most exquisite little face that I have ever had the pleasure of beholding: small features, very fair; flaxen ringlets, or rather golden, hanging loose on her delicate neck; and eyes-had they been agreeable in expression they would have been irresistable" pg. 11

Throughout the novel, the speaker does a good job of identifying the characters through direct characterization. As readers, we come to know who the characters are by their looks, personalities, and actions taken into count by the speaker of the story and he precieves them. In this example, the speaker is characterizing Mrs. Heathcliff when he first meets her. She is taciturn and has an agitated feeling that comes across. There are reasons for her acting this way that are told throughout. At this statement, we know the outer looks of Mrs. Heathcliff and are able to form an image of what she looks like and who she is by the characteristics given. Authors use this technique of characterization so the readers are able to think of the characters in their mind and have a further understanding of the book and its characters. Some other characters we come to know in this way are Heathcliff and Catherine (little and older), Joseph, Nelly, and Mrs. Dean.

Biff and Happy

From the very beginning of the story I thought to myself, "these boys are five years old." However, it turns out they are in their thirties. I found it strange how Linda told Willy how cute it was to see them shaving together and going on a date. (1548) Also, they sleep in twin beds. In our small group we compared it to Stepbrothers! Old men who cannot make a living on their own and resort to living and falling under responsibility of their parents. There are many links you can make between the two. Biff was supposed to be this All-Star athlete, but he did not pass math. (1600) Biff is a lost boy. I believe Happy is a little better than Biff. Willy does not lose himself when Happy is around, or order him to go find work. The two boys also resemble Tom and Laura in the Glass Menagerie. They are sheltered and act like they are little kids. The parents are not responsible enough to structure them. Also, Biff and Happy know their father is a mess. Biff tells Happy that Willy will eventually kill himself. (1614)

Death of a Salesman #5

One of the biggest themes addressed in the play is living the "american dream". There are many similarites between the Glass Managerie and Death of a Salesman. Willy was a well-respected father when his kids were little;however, things started to change on him and Willy did not want to believe it. For instance, the Loman's did not have as much money as they used too. So, Linda began sewing her stockings and Willy told her not too and that he would buy her some. Willy was making less and less each day until finally he was fired. His sons were not in the best shape either. Willy told Biff to go find a job. (1579) Also, Willy always imagines his brother Ben and says he "walked into the jungle at 17 and walked out at 21 rich!" (1572) Willy is upset his life did not turn out rich and perfect. This correlates with the Glass Managerie. Tom and Laura are trapped with their mother Amanda and they do not know how to make it better. THe father in both stories are prominent figures. In the Glass Managerie the father is just in a picture, wheras in Death of a Salesman he is the source of drama.

Death of a Salesman #2

Death of a Salesman is a form of tragedy. In the end, one of the main characters dies, Willy. However, it was not just a planned death or thought out process, rather his whole life lead him to his fault. Willy was a salesman but later in life was always put on the move and grew too tired. (page 1548) Willy was married and had two sons-Biff and Happy. Willy became dillusional. He became crazy and would talk to himself and picture old times. on page 1556 is it when Willy begins his crazy mind. The boys know he has lost his mind, but Linda does not want to believe he has gone crazy. She notices Willy acting up more when Biff returns or is near. Everytime Biff and Willy are together they argue. They have unsettled business from the past and Willy can not get past it. (1615) Biff sees signs that his dad is going to kill himself and eventually one night Willy gets in his car and dies. (1628) It is important for audiences to realize the type of genre the play is so they do not have to high of hopes for another. Tragedies are based on losing a hero do to their hubris. Willy's hubris was that his life was not how he planned it out to be.

Laura

I wanted to blog about Tom's sister Laura because she seems to be a voided character and the title is based off of her. I never really understood what a Glass Menagerie was until close to the end. Laura has a collection of glass animals. Laura was crippled and put herself down alot. (page 1244) When I was reading this story, I kept thinking Laura was younger than Tom. But, that is ot true, Laura is two years older. TOm is the one going out and working at the warehouse having a job, while Laura quit school and walks in the park and museums for seven hours a day. (page 1242) When Jim comes to the house, Laura freaks out. She feels ill and does not want to open the door. She used to have a crush. When Jim breaks one of Laura's animals, i feel it symbolizes that Laura will break away from her constant shyness. She will soon become someone and make something of herself. Jim tells her she needs to be confident. (1283) Tom loves his sister and is concerned about leaving because he knows whereever he goes, his sister will always be around because of her great love of menageries.

The Glass Menagerie #3

Tom Wingfield is the protagonist of the play. He is the younger brother to Laura who is a cripple. He seems to be the only member of the family who makes a steady income and does alot for the family. He has to take over the "father" role because their father walked out. Amanda, the mother, has many issues from her life. She is very concerned with her daughter Laura's gentelmen callers. "What? No one-not one?" page 1239. Amanda and Laura so far seem to be the antagonist. Tom goes out almost every night to the movies. (1246-1247) His mother does not believe him and tries to push him to tell her the truth. (1247) Also, Amanda tells Tom that he needs to find a gentleman caller for his sister. (1254) Tom gets uptight with his mother and sister. This offers drama to the play. Without all of the chaos in their lives and problems between them, the story would not have a basis. They advance the plot by eliciting the actions by others. Amanda questions Tom over and over until finally he breaks free and expresses his thoughts and feelings. By doing this, the story moves forward and opens new doors.