Réalités de la vie par Kirsten Wallace

Quiz- Calliope vs. Anais Nin

wallacekirstennzzp — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:54:55 +0000

When comparing and contrasting the character of Calliope in Middlesex, and Anais Nin, the famous writer and star in the movie Henry and June, I can think of many similarities. First of all, they both represent the Feminist theory that we discussed in class. Anais Nin is a sort of the role model for feminist theory because a). She is a writer in a time where woman were strongly discouraged from doing anything other than get married and pop out children. b). She was writing erotica, writing about sex in a very explicit way which was new and different, especially from a woman’s stand point c) She herself was engaging in sexual activity with MANY people, because she figured if men can do it, why can’t a woman. All these things sort of define the feminist theory that woman try to break down social norms and rewrite rules. Anais Nin did just this, because of her books she opened the door for many other woman writers of her time, and helped open the door for woman in sexuality.

Calliope from Middlesex can arguable be considered the role model for queer theory and also feminist theory. Queer theory, obviously Calliope is not “normal” by the worlds view, she is both man and woman and eventually chooses to become a man, even after being raised a girl for the majority of her life. Her entire family history (desdemona and lefty being siblings) down to even her own parents, who were cousins, is all explained by queer theory. She is also considered a femminist because although she was raised a woman, she always thought like a man and even engaged in some relationships with woman, she even became a hooker at one point, which socially is looked down upon but she did it anyways. Even down to the act of her getting a sex change is sort of femmist because she broke the rules of being a woman, period.

In conclusion, I can see how they are similar for these reasons, I think I covered them all?

Henry and June… so far

wallacekirstennzzp — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:50:22 +0000

So were are almost done watching the film Henry and June, and so far I have mixed reviews. First of all, the acting is not really strong. The only person throughout the entire movie I’m convinced of is Uma Thurman, as June. The two main characters, Henry and Anais aren’t really convincing, it’s like there saying the actions but not. The woman who plays Anais has good body language, and you can tell how she is feeling, but the delievery of her lines are weak. The man who plays Henry Miller is supposed to be this “bad ass” american writer, and other than sleeping around with Anais, I don’t get that vibe.

With that being said, the movie is supposed to be about Henry Miller and His wife, and their relationship with Anais. I don’t understand the complexity of their relationship, how they met etc. It’s explained but I’m still confused. Also, I don’t understand how Anais really fits into this, is she a friend, is he using her? I don’t know. Maybe if I researched a bit on Henry Miller I would understand, but just based on watching the movie I’m clueless.

What I like about the movie, well the sex scenes are all throughout the entire film. I wouldn’t say there neccesarily good ones, but they def. push buttons and I’m sure most people watching will continue to watch the film purely because of the sex. Also, I like Kevin Spacey’s character, even though he is only in the movie for a short period of time. I think they did a great job with set designs and costumes, while watching I felt like I was living in the 1930′s in France.

In all I don’t really understand how this movie is a representation of the monomyth of Anais, of her sexual awakening. I think the movie is just purely about relationships and affairs.

Poem-Middlesex

wallacekirstennzzp — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:13:19 +0000

This is a limrick about Cal’s family

There once was a family with troubles

Brother and sister soon be lovers

They ran away from home

And came to this country all alone

But their secret stayed under the covers.

Poem-Color Purple

wallacekirstennzzp — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:11:50 +0000

This is about Celie’s transformation from the begining of the novel until the end.

There once was a girl who thought

She was nothing, and people told her she was nothing

She was always left alone, abandoned

Left to discover this world on her own

A world where a man hits a woman

A world where father’s sleep with their daughters

A horrible world

She accepted it

“This is life”

But it wasn’t

Finally she met a woman

Who cared and loved her more than anyone

She showed her love was possible

And now she has faith, she feels love

And the color purple

Thoughts on Middlesex

wallacekirstennzzp — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:05:20 +0000

So, we were asked to start reading middlesex the other day, and I am proud to announce that I am almost done with the book. I picked it up on a saturday and thought that the book was going to be well.. not interesting. To be quite honest I haven’t really liked any of the books we have read so far this semster, with the exception on the color purple. I picked it up and thought ok.. lets see how this goes. And I must say this book is SOO GOOD. Probably because it is a real messed up story, involves a lot of “queer theory” and just is written in a way where you wanna keep on reading.

The first chapter didn’t hook me in, but the second one did. From the begining talking about Desdemona and Lefty.. I was hooked. When they are introduced as siblings I think nothing of it.. but when the writer starts to mention how they have these “feelings” they cannot express I knew the book was getting good. Who ever call write a book about incest and do it well has my aproval. It is really interesting.

I like the whole story of the Stephandies.. cal not so much. I’m just at the part where she starts to assume she isn’t a girl… or has male traits. But the whole story of Desdemona and Lefty immigrating to Detroit, meeting Somurlina and Jimmy that whole story is so interesting I can’t put the book down. Really good so far, I can’t wait to finish it.

Color Purple

wallacekirstennzzp — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:52:06 +0000

So for this blog entry I am going to do a mini movie review on the film thus far. We pretty much finished the film today but I still want to see the last few minutes. Basically I like the film. There were several points where I wanted to cry but I didn’t cause that would have been embarassing. I like how the movie transitions, in the begining its celie and nettie as children playing in the field. I didn’t expect to be total overwhelmed within the first few minutes of the film, but the most striken moment was when celie comes from behind the fields and you see that she is pregnant. At that point I knew that this movie was NOT going to sugar coat things. Although they did down play alot, but still from the very begining it sets the tone to celies horrible life.

I like all the characters, Whoppie Goldberg does a great job, although compared to her other work I was suprised. I always think Whoppie Goldberg=Sister act but in this movie she played a serious, physically and emotional tormented woman. I loved the actress who played Shug Avery, she fit the part so well. Also I was suprised to see Danny Glover, lets be honest I can’t remember the last movie he was in. In all I liked the choice of actors.

The song that Shug Plays for celie is stuck in my head after watching the movie! and woah! Oprah was in the film? if I’m not mistaking didn’t she go through the same things as a young woman just a different time period? idk. Also real clever the ending, that song made me wanna praise jesus, which I hardly ever want to do.

Blog #22

wallacekirstennzzp — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:29:00 +0000

For my final project I intitally wanted to do a power point by myself, not that I wouldn’t want to work with anyone just I really don’t like group work, there is always someone who ends up doing most of the work(which is me) which makes me mad. Anyways, I also wanted to do my presentation in front of the entire class cause I took public speaking in high school and talking in front of people doesn’t phase me at all. I wanted to do my project probably on archetypes in fairy tales cause from all we learned that seemed to interest me the most… in the power point I kinda wanted to make a guess what archetype game out of famous movies, books etc. I thought it would be interesting. Now, I’m not entirely sure what I want to do. I didn’t like watership down at all so I have no interest doing something about that, nor do I have interest in doing anything with the color purple because that presenation the other day basically was amazing and really hit the nail on the head.

I’m open to working with people though who are actually going to do work!!! haha this sounds like an ad.

Quiz soundtrack to my life

wallacekirstennzzp — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:32:59 +0000

1. Belly of the Whale-The Scientist by Coldplay- the song is about overcoming something bad. The rycis say “Nobody said it was easy” which totally understands the concept of the belly of the whale.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmjPrdTNxQ0

2. Return threshold-Welcome Home by Coheed and Cambria- Its about a bittersweet return home. Kinda self explanatory.

3. The call to adventure- Take a Bow by Muse- Its just a really good song that gets me upbeat and ready to kick some ass.

4. Refusal of the Call- Stay by Saftey Suit- This song talks about not wanting to leave your loved ones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8SCaxaE_40

5. Crossing the return threshold- I run to you Lady Antebellum- Talks about wanting to go home yet unsure how.

Crossing the return threshold poem

wallacekirstennzzp — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:26:42 +0000

You don’t look up or say a word

I guess you never missed me at all

Fine

Just remember this when I am gone for long

And wont be able to come back

Remember.

Crossing the return threshold

wallacekirstennzzp — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:21:03 +0000

In our groups we discussed the return threshold, which we thought is when you finally come home and your not really excepted. It is a bittersweet time, your are sort of happy that you are home yet by most people you are not really excepted. I can think of many times in my life where I have gone home and it has not felt very warm welcoming.

The summer before my freshman year of college I decided to go and rent a beach house in atlantic city with my two best friends. I wanted to know that I could truly live on my own before I went to college five hours away. My parents weren’t really happy about this decision yet they had no choice, I was an adult and there was nothing they could say about it. I had the time of my life living there yet we ran into a bunch of problems and had to return home early. I figured my parents would be thrilled that I was coming home because they gave me a bunch of garbage before. Boy was I surprised.

I remember when I called them to tell them I was coming home they didn’t seem too interested, but my parents don’t ever sound really interesting via phone. Sure enough when I got home my parents were watching tv. They didn’t even get there eyes off the tv to say anyting, they just said “oh hi”. I was so angry at them, they didn’t even seem to care. I remember I stormed off into my room and just started blasted music, why were they acting like this? I found out that in fact they did miss me, they were just angry that I had to move back home early because I lost my job. But crossing that return threshold was hard, not only was I upset that my parents didn’t seem interested, but I had to leave the beach house early which was my last summer before college. So needless to say it was bittersweet.