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)