After Cowboy Chicken Came to Town

Opening the piece with the quote “I want my money back!” (page 184) initially sets a tense mood, which is present throughout the story. Specifically, there is tension between Mr. Shapiro and the employees, and then later between both Mr. Shapiro and Peter and the employees. Throughout the story, I noticed two themes: hypocrisy and misunderstandings. Most of the hypocrisy is related to Mr. Shapiro. For example, “he always appeared good-hearted and considerate to customers, but was cruel to us, his employees” (page 186). Additionally, he wants his employees to work hard yet doesn’t work hard himself, advertises an all-you-can-eat buffet but tries to stop a customer from buying a second buffet meal, and enforces a no discount policy but gives his friend Susanna discounts. Jinglin was also hypocritical. After finding out that Peter burned leftover chicken for his job, Jinglin called him a “capitalist’s henchman” (page 217). Peter points out that Jinglin is also one. Instead of burning chicken for a job, Jinglin cooks it. Regarding misunderstandings, the story is full of language barriers, specifically between the Chinese and English language. Additionally, the story closes with a misunderstanding, in which the employees are fired for writing a note declaring they would strike the Cowboy Chicken, which Mr. Shapiro took to mean they would bomb the restaurant. Aside from hypocrisy and misunderstanding, a reoccurring element in the story was irony. In particular, the man in the opening scene insults Americans in general, but is eating at an American restaurant. Additionally, Peihai, who was once picked on as a child, returns from America handsome and prosperous. He was once ridiculed, but now has a reason to be respected. Lastly, it is ironic that Mr. Shapiro apparently has a lot of money but won’t pay for his dates’ dinners. Additionally, the story presents America as a symbol of prosperity and hope. The phrase “the American way” is mentioned multiple times when referring to making improvements in Cowboy Chicken. A wedding dinner is also held in the fast food restaurant. Since, in Chinese culture, weddings are so expensive and important, the admiration that the Chinese have for the American restaurant is exemplified. Regarding Chinese culture, the quote “[Mr. Shapiro] must have wanted to live in Moscow for a while and have another baby, hopefully a boy” (page 202) and the fact that he abandoned his two daughters reflects the idea that boys are useful and desired, whereas girls are unwanted. Lastly, the only animals referred to in the piece were “crocodile,” “alligator,” and “bear.” This may reflect the attitudes of the characters. All three of the animals mentioned are fierce and carnivorous, reflecting the tension and suspicions between the characters. VOCABULARY: 1. Mood: a prevailing atmosphere or feeling (dictionary.com) 2. Theme: a unifying or dominant idea, motif, etc., as in a work of art (dictionary.com) 3. Irony: a use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning (dictionary.com)

The Lazarus Project (Pg. 249-292)

In the opening paragraph of the reading, the audience gets a sense of the setting, how untrustworthy it seems as a whole. On page 249, Brik describes the “most honest-looking” man around as a “hoary, fat little man.” This suggests that, if he appeared to be the most honest but was yet still hoary, then the others around him must have appeared worse. I noticed a few of themes in particular within the last reading of The Lazarus Project. They were light and life versus dark and death, unfaithfulness, and hopelessness. The scene in which the first theme is particularly emphasized is when Isador is stuffed into the casket. The quote “The casket lid is pried open; the corpse is lifted off Isador. The light blinds him again, but when his eyes get used to it, he can see…” on page 271 contrasts the dark casket that Isador was in with the corpse with coming out of the dark and being able to see. The second theme is reinforced through Brik’s love for another woman besides his wife as well as the scene described on pages 254 to 255 in which Brik hides in the closet with his lover’s child. Referring to the child, the quote “how he drew God having many big eyes” on page 255 may suggest the immorality of Brik’s unfaithfulness to his wife. Most of the characters at this point in the book seem to be hopeless in some way as well. Brik, for example, feels he cannot win over his wife’s love and affection. Also, the idea that those that are dead are inevitably lost and dead forever is mentioned a few times throughout this reading. Two motifs that I noticed were violence and lack of sleep. Throughout the entire book, violent scenes are mentioned. This emphasizes how tragic and bloody the war and violence is that’s occurring. For example, on page 278, Brik describes in gory detail his desire to see his wife’s “hands saw open a skull, cut through bone and brains.” Regarding a lack of sleep, earlier in the reading, neither Brik nor Mary could sleep but a couple hours the night before their first trip. Later on, during this trip, the driver’s girlfriend Elena is described as “pretending to be asleep” (page 258). In this reading, many contrasting elements are mentioned. For instance, when Rora so abruptly dies, Brik wishes he would have said “something uncomforting and senseless to him” (page 285). One would not expect someone to wish this, but rather to wish they could have said something loving and encouraging. The contrasts may give insight into the characters’ confusion within their own situations and amongst the ongoing war. Another interesting thing I noticed in this reading was the repetition of the word “serpentine.” This could refer to Satan, which in turn could refer to the evil surrounding the war. Lastly, I felt that the ending may offer a little hope. Though lives have been lost and violence is still ongoing, Brik can still tell his story through written word. He can still engross himself in what he likes to do, writing. Though he may be lonely and possibly emotionally scarred from his experiences in the book, his ability to write has not been taken from him. VOCABULARY: 1. Theme: a unifying or dominant idea, motif, etc., as in a work of art (dictionary.com) 2. Motif: a recurring subject, theme, idea, etc. (dictionary.com) 3. Repetition: something made by or resulting from repeating (dictionary.com) 4. Engross: to occupy completely, as the mind or attention; absorb (dictionary.com)

The Lazarus Project

So far, I have enjoyed The Lazarus Project. The novel involves mystery and suspense. It also allows you to see the situation through Lazarus’ sister’s eyes, feeling her own desperation and confusion. Specifically, I’ve found the themes in The Lazarus Project thus far interesting. One that has stuck out to me is uncertainty. All of the protagonists so far have experienced uncertainty to some degree. Lazarus’ sister, Olga, is confused as to what has happened to Lazarus. She is also both confused and almost afraid as to how the public is treating her after Lazarus’ death. Vladimir Brik and Rora find themselves in their own mystery. They may not face the same struggles or controversy that Olga faces, but they do question what happened to Lazarus, as Olga has. Unlike Olga, Vladimir and Rora’s quest for the truth not only takes them into Lazarus and Olga’s pasts, but their own too. Referring back to the beginning of the book, the quote “The time and place are the only things I am certain of,” serves to reinforce this theme. A motif in the book so far has been photographs. Rora’s photos have reoccurred in the novel. Interestingly, the photographs have had contrasting elements. For example, some of her photographs capture the violence of the setting they are in, whereas the photographs she takes of hotels and coffee portray a more relaxing, satisfying mood. One of my favorite quotes in the book so far states, “When I look at my old pictures, all I can see is what I used to be but am no longer. I think: What I can see is what I am not.” This quote both reinforces the motif of photographs as well as refers back to Vladimir discovering truths about his own past as he searches Lazarus’. Lastly, the book, to me, has effectively portrayed Olga’s sadness in her situation. For example, the quote, “Your nightmares follow you like a shadow, forever,” may suggest that Olga will never fully recover from her brother’s death. A second quote that reveals the overall sadness of the setting in which Olga lives states, “My country’s main exports are stolen cars and sadness.” VOCABULARY: 1. Protagonist: the leading character, hero, or heroine of a drama or other literary work (dictionary.com) 2. Suspense: a state or condition of mental uncertainty or excitement, as in awaiting a decision or outcome, usually accompanied by a degree of apprehension or anxiety (dictionary.com) 3. Motif: a recurring subject, theme, idea, etc., especially in a literary, artistic, or musical work (dictionary.com)

Saints at the River...Ch. 6-7

In both chapters 6 and 7, a main focus is the backgrounds of the characters, more specifically Allen’s, Maggie’s and Luke’s. On page 135, Maggie is almost hit by oncoming traffic. When Maggie sees Allen’s expression, she wonders if Herb Kowalsky felt as helpless as Allen when the incident at the river occurred. This is significant because it could suggest that Allen cannot save Maggie from herself, as Herb couldn’t save his daughter from herself when she decided to enter the river. Specifically, Allen cannot save Maggie from her inner struggle involving forgiving her father. Maggie almost being hit also causes Allen to have a flashback of his wife’s and daughter’s deaths. Describing this to Maggie allows the reader to better understand Allen’s intentions involving the river. Chapter 7 more focuses on Luke’s and Maggie’s backgrounds. For example, a quote on page 154 reveals that Luke has stayed true to himself and determined to preserve the river: “Nothing short of being killed would keep Luke from trying to save the Tamassee.” Despite all of the controversy he may have faced in the past and may face in the future, Luke has stayed genuinely devoted to the river. The audience also is given insight into why Luke is so passionate about the river when Maggie tells Allen the reason behind his devotion is because of his Biafra trip. Regarding Maggie’s background, old wounds are reopened when she drives her father home after the town meeting. Her reluctance to forgive her dad is reinforced through her initial indifference and then her later bluntness to her father. Additionally, the past relationship between Luke and Maggie is revisited. Luke suggests Maggie take a photography job near him, and Maggie says she will. This infers that the two may still have some feeling for each other. In chapter 6, music plays a role in the book. When Maggie and Allen talk, “…Emmylou Harris sang of love lost and love found” (page 138). This relates to the plot because Maggie lost her love Luke, Allen lost his wife Claire, and they both are beginning to fall in love with each other. Secondly the quote on page 141 from a Lucinda Williams’ song, “things left behind but not forgotten,” is mentioned after Allen talks of his lost wife and daughter, suggesting he will never forget them. This quote may also support a theme of unattainable love in the book, in which Luke and Maggie are no longer together, Allen loses his wife and daughter, and the Kowalskys additionally lose their beloved daughter. Lastly, the quote “Suddenly I realized Ellen Kowalsky wasn’t looking at the back wall. She was looking through it, past the bridge and Bobcat Rock, all the way to that undercut inside Wolf Cliff Falls” on page 172 caught my attention. I found the quote revealing regarding the mother’s thoughts. She is speaking about her daughter, but the quote suggests that her daughter is all she can think about. VOCABULARY: 1. Flashback: a device in the narrative of a motion picture, novel, etc., by which an event or scene taking place before the present time in the narrative is inserted into the chronological structure of the work (dictionary.com) 2. Beloved: greatly loved; dear to the heart (dictionary.com) 3. Reluctance: unwillingness; disinclination (dictionary.com)

Glenngary, Glen Ross by David Mamet

The opening scene provides the play with an initial mood.  Since the play opens in a Chinese restaurant, the reader gets an initial casual feeling that doesn’t suggest any dire urgency or emergency.  In reality, this first impression contradicts the plot, especially in the first and second scenes of act one.  Some of the characters are in danger of losing their job and therefor e search and scheme to find a way to save their jobs.  Secondly, the fact that the play opens in a foreign restaurant may foreshadow a type of unfamiliarity or confusion in the play.  This is proven in act one scene three, where Roma tends to talk on off-topic and confusing subjects.  A second scene involves juxtaposition.  When Moss is explaining the planned robbery to Aaronow, Moss first attempts to suggest that they are “just talking” casually.  Then, when Aaronow suggests that the robbery is a crime, Moss says, “It’s a crime.  It’s also very safe.”  Initially, the word ‘crime’ would not suggest any safety, but quite the opposite.

A theme in the play thus far is the portrayal of a “typical” salesperson.  With a salesperson, come the connotations of dishonesty, scheming, and selfishness.  A number of characters thus far have displayed these characteristics, specifically Moss, Graff, Levene, and Roma.  Moss has the idea of stealing Grengarry leads in order to sell them and save his job.  Though he may not be completely serious in the suggestion, Graff agrees completely and devises a scheme.  At this point, Moss becomes very selfish and conniving, posing threats against Aaronow to ensure the scheme is followed through with.  He is conniving in the fact that he tells Aaronow he is now involved in the robbery “because [he] listened” to Moss speak of it.  In the opening of the second act, when the robbery is first discovered by Roma, Levene enters the scene raving about a sale he’s made.  He’s initially completely oblivious to the mess around him, therefore reflecting his ego and selfishness.  Roma, on the other hand, wasn’t even recognized as a salesperson at first.  This shows that his initial appearance may have been misleading to the characters in the play.  Thus, both appearances and personalities of salespeople in the play are misleading.

Lastly, there may be meanings behind some of the characters names in the play.  For example, moss engulfs trees and can become long and entangling.  Likewise, the character Moss schemes and entangles Aaronow in the robbery plan.  Moss has a way of twisting words until the subject of his scheme feels trapped.  Aaronow, on the contrary, sounds like “arrow.”  An arrow, when shot, stays on track.  Aaronow seems to be one of the only characters thus far that is not attempting to mislead anyone or scheme against anybody.  He chooses to make a good, right choice, suggest the robbery is a crime, thus staying “on track” as an arrow would. 

VOCABULARY:
Connotation: the associated or secondary meaning of a word or expression in addition to its explicit or primary meaning (Dictionary.com)

The Crying of Lot 49...Chapter 6

Towards the beginning of the chapter, the bookstore that Oedipa normally visits is discovered burned down.  A change in society’s norm suggests a future change in the story’s plot.   A major theme in this chapter of the book was illusion versus reality.  All of the examples supporting this theme also relate to Tristero.  For instance, on page 20 a quote states, “When [Oedipa] got back to Echo Courts, she found Miles, Dean, and Serge and Leonard composed and motionless that some photographer, hidden from Oepida, might have been them for an album illustration.”  Comparing the real scene with an album illustration makes the scene seem almost like fantasy.  Other examples include the book containing the history about Tristero having the words “that outlandish and fantastical race” in the title (pg. 129), and the possibility that “Tristero had staged the entire French Revolution” (pg. 136).  These all serve to emphasize Oedipa’s confusion in her quest to discover what Tristero is.  She isn’t sure what information she’s heard is false and what information is real.  Additionally, these examples foreshadow Mike Fallopian's comment that Tristero may have been only a hoax.  Aside from the theme of illusion versus reality, Oedipa’s anxiety caused by her search for the truth behind Tristero is emphasized.  She begins to grow ill, and “her mind would go on flexing psychic muscles that no longer existed; would be betrayed and mocked by a phantom self as the amputee is by a phantom limb” (pg. 133).  This quote not only emphasizes the toll Oedipa’s anxiety has had on her, but also suggests a mental confusion.  A last example revealing Oedipa’s unhealthy anxiety is found in a quote on page 124, which states, “Grace looked surprised.  ‘There’s a certain harassed style,’ she said, ‘you get to recognize.  I thought only kids caused it.  I guess not.’”  Through the chapter, the reader can see Oedipa’s emotional rollercoaster as she fights for the truth.  She begins to doubt she’ll ever discover what Tristero is when she starts neglecting to pursue anyone that would have useful information.  Her first action that suggests this is her refusal to call K. da Chingado.  Later, she regains hope as she discovers that someone from Tristero may be at an auction to buy W.A.S.T.E. stamps.  Thus, Oedipa decides to attend the auction in an attempt to find the anonymous auctioneer.  The chapter ends with the auction beginning, Oedipa still fighting for the truth.  This ending leaves the reader to imagine their own ending.  It also proves Oedipa’s unbelievable determination and perseverance in her quest.  It suggests she is not willing to give up quite yet.  Not giving the reader an answer as to what Tristero really is may also suggest that Tristero is indeed just a hoax with no true answers.

A Supermarket in CA, America, & In the Baggage Room at Greyhound

In “A Supermarket in California,” the narrator describes a crush they have on Walt Whitman.  The poem is has a fanciful and dreamy tone.  Both diction and line structure contribute to this tone.  Specific words that evoke an airy mood include “thoughts I have of you tonight” (line 1), “full moon” (line 3), “neon fruit” (line 5), “dreaming” (line 5), “my Angel” (line 17), “brilliant stacks of cans” (line 18), “imagination” (line 19), and “lost America of love” (line 33).  The lines of the poem flow easily.  There are no abrupt breaks or punctuations in the lines besides the exclamation points in the first two stanzas.  These exclamation points serve to reveal the narrator’s excitement.  Additionally, the repetition of the exclamation points after each sentence gives the stanzas a unity.  They surprisingly do not take away from the easy flow of the poem.  This tempo reinforces the dreamy tone.  Additionally, the poem closes with a reference to the Underworld of Greek mythology.  Including a reference to mythology also adds to the dreaminess of the poem.  Underlying this dreamy tone, there is also a feeling of urgency.  While the narrator conveys their interest for Walt, they also question both theirs and Walt’s happiness in loneliness.  This suggests that the narrator wishes to date Walt soon to end both of their loneliness.  Particularly their loneliness is referred to in lines 21 and 22, which state “together in our solitary fancy,” and line 29 through 31, which state “Will we walk all night through solitary streets?  The trees add shade to shade, lights out in the houses, we’ll both be lonely.” 

In “America,” the narrator addresses issues in modern-day America in a sarcastic and demeaning tone.  Some of the issues mentioned are the “atom bomb” (line 6), “murder” (line 32), drugs (line 36), and obsession with the media (lines 48-51).  Addressing issues like these with sarcasm slightly lightens the brutality of the accusations, making the reader more acceptably read about them.  An example of this sarcasm can be found in lines 50 through 51, which state “I’m obsessed by Time Magazine.  I read it every week.”  In reality, the narrator does not love time magazine.  Instead, the writer is trying to make a point about Americans’ obsession with the media.  Additionally, contrasting the words “saint” (line 21) and “sinister” (line 24) serves to reflect the writer’s view of America as corrupt and hypocritical.  Though America offers the fantastical “American dream” of freedom and happiness, the writer believes that Americans are trapped in a country with murder, drugs, consuming media, and war.

In “In the Baggage Room at Greyhound,” the writer compares the Greyhound Terminal with heaven, God, and Jesus.  The bus symbolizes the journey a person will take to be judged by God.  In Part 1 of the poem, “hundreds of suitcases full of tragedy rocking back and forth waiting to be opened” (lines 29-30) represent the people at the terminal waiting to board the bus and be judged by God.  In Part 2 of the poem, the person ushering people onto the buses holds an “iron shephard’s crook” (line 43), comparing him to the Good Shephard, Jesus Christ.  In Part 3, the writer describes racks that were made to hold the riders’ things, holding them together.  The narrator goes on to say that the racks were God’s way of holding the people together and giving them an opportunity to enter into Eternity (lines 64-72).  The racks described here symbolize Jesus Christ, God’s Son sent to die for mankind, offering them forgiveness and eternal life.