Culture Shock

Romeo and Juliet is perhaps the most classic love story of all time. Because of this, it is quite commonly referrenced in modern-day books, songs, movies, etc. Just the other day, when I was watching Glee, I stumbled across one of these allusions. The first song April and Will sang together after reuniting was "Fire," originally by the Pointer sisters. Since I had less than an hour ago finished the night's reading of Romeo and Juliet, my ears perked up when I heard those words. What a coincidence! Although the song may be about a completely different romance than the play, it was still exciting to hear it. The verse that referrences Shakespeare's play goes:

Well, Romeo and Juliet, Samson and Delilah
Baby you can bet a love they couldn't deny
My words say split, but my words they lie
'Cause when we kiss, ooh, fire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qBE6GhFafk

Great Expectations: Skit

• One good scene for a skit is when Pip encounters the convict for the first time in the churchyard. This is an important part of the book, and is tied back into the story later on. There is also a good contrast in the characters' personalities: Pip is polite and innocent and the convict is gruff and threatening.
• Another part of the book that is crucial to the story is when Miss Havisham begs Pip on her knees for forgiveness. She has finally realized what she has done and how she brought Estella up, teaching her all the wrong morals.
• One final suspenseful scene is the background story of Compeyson (as told by Magwitch). This shows just how evil this man is and the reasons for Magwitch and Miss Havisham's grudges on him. Perhaps the most exciting part of this section is when Arthur dies after seeing Miss Havisham's "ghost," since this scene is so dramatic.

Another Question

One thing I didn't understand in this week's reading (chapters 36-44) was when Magwitch tells Pip the story of his life and he talks about Compeyson's background as well. Compeyson's friend, Arthur (Miss Havisham's brother) sees a vision of Miss Havisham. He is deathly afraid of her, and says she is trying to put her shroud on him (and will at 5 in the morning). This whole incident is a little confusing to me. Does Arthur really see a ghost of Miss Havisham? Compeyson says this is impossible, since she is still living. So if Arthur really imagined the whole thing, how did he die?

Great Expectations: Question About Estella

One part of Great Expectations I didn't understand was on page 226, chapter 33. It is when Estella arrives at London and Pip takes her to tea. When asked why she will be going to Richmond, Estella replies:

"I am going to live at a great expense, with a lady there, who has the power - or says she has - of taking me about, and introducing me, and showing people to me and showing me to people."

I understand that Estella will be living there to be introduced to the "high-society" people there, and to learn her way around, but I don't understand why. Throughout the story, Miss Havisham is trying to throw Pip and Estella together (mainly so Estella can break his heart), so why would Miss Havisham send Estella away to Richmond, especially if she might meet new people and fall in love with someone else?

Great Expectations: Photo Post

I chose this photo of a bridge because it represents Pip's journey throughout his life. Pip is given the opportunity to step out of (what he thinks of as) the shadows of his old life as a blacksmith and into the sunlight of his new life as a gentleman. Pip boldly takes this leap, although there might be hardships on the path ahead. Part of his "great expectations" will require always traveling forward on the path, and never looking back. This might be hard for Pip in the future, and he might find that he should have cherished those younger days more. Pip will soon discover what the path laid out before him by his great expectations will really mean for his life.

Great Expectations: The First Stage

Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns of flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day.

Pip's clever analogy refers to different paths one may choose in life. Once the first "link" is formed and the "chain" begins to grow, there is no going back. For Pip, this first link is forged when he visits Miss Havisham for the first time. Pip's peculiar and unexpected experiences at Miss Havisham's results in a myriad of new feelings. After becoming accustomed to the fine, high class luxuries of Miss Havisham's mansion, Pip feels ashamed and self-conscious of his own home. He is slightly obsessed with Miss Havisham and Estella and his short visit with them. He keeps thinking about his visit constantly and can't wait to go back.

When I was ten years old, I went to Cascades Camp as a camper for the first time. Although I had visited with my family before, this was different. I would stay in a cabin with a counselor and several other girls. Not knowing anybody at first left me feeling lonely and homesick, but as the days and week progressed, I made many friends and had the best experience of my life. By the end of the week, I was confident and open with all my new friends. Every summer since that first week at Cascades, I have returned to camp. I hope my chain will stretch into the future when I can become a counselor myself.

Group Essay

Thesis: The strongest of relationships can make it through even the most dramatic and unexpected catastrophies. In The Importance of Being Earnest, a play written by Oscar Wilde, three durable relationships have connections stronger than the obstacles they must overcome. Algernon and Cecily, Jack and Gwendolen, and Miss Prism and Chasuble have similar characteristics that naturally draw each couple together.

Each and every one of the relationships in The Importance of Being Earnest has overcome obstacles. Perhaps the most mature relationship in the play is between two middle-aged adults of the working class. Even before Miss Prism and Chasuble express their love for each other, they subtly break down barriers just to spend more time together. Miss Prism makes up a headache, which is an excuse to be with Chasuble. Even though Miss Prism obviously doesn't really have a headache, and Chasuble most likely knows this, he doesn't object. Miss Prism and Chasuble often also flirt and drop hints to say that they are interested in each other. Miss Prism advises Dr. Chasuble that he should get married. Miss Prism and Chasuble display in this conversation that their personalities are similar. They are forward with their feelings without being candid. One of the biggest obstacles in relationships are personalities that clash. After finding out that Miss Prism didn't have a child out of wedlock, Chasuble and Miss Prism embrace each other. Their feelings are finally revealed. There are no linger any secrets between Miss Prism and Reverend Chasuble, and the two freely express their love for each other.

Each of my concrete details and commentaries ties back to the theme of obstacles that are overcome.