TOW #21: The Death of the Gravedigger by Carlos Schwabe

            I actually came across this painting quite some time ago when I was momentarily infatuated with artworks from the late 19^th century. During this time period, the rise of many different types of art styles was prevalent, including realism, impressionism, and pictorialism. Symbolism was also a significant contributor to the characteristic of the artworks of that era. The Death of the Gravedigger by Carolos Schwabe utilizes the aspect of contradicting colors, posture, and irony to portray an array of emotions intertwined with his piece.

            With just a rough scan of the scene, the dark figure against a white background can be effortlessly seen. It can be assumed that the author wanted to draw more attention towards the relationship between the two characters rather than the setting. However, the environment cannot be easily overlooked. The snow in the background may symbolize that the winter of the gravedigger’s life has come: death. By the tension and the position of his hands, it is revealed that the gravedigger is caught off-guard at the presence of the dark angel. The winged figure symbolizes death, but unlike the connotation behind death, the facial expression as well as the beautiful pose of the dark angel exposes her calmness. Her dark wings encasing the man enhances this serenity. Despite the uncommon technique to connect death with angels and beauty, the author’s decision to do so speaks volumes of his innovativeness. In addition, I thought it was very interesting how the gravedigger is already in the grave despite his apparent aliveness. This means that he, knowing that he will die soon, dug his own grave. The gravedigger, a phallic figure, side a grave hole, a yonic symbol, seems to intermingle casually in this piece which is also indicative of the author’s tendency to integrate two unlikely things. 

TOW #20: Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut

            Intrigued due to my previous knowledge of Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse Five, his earlier work “Harrison Bergeron” naturally became my next victim of analysis. When I read the brief summary of this piece, I was immediately drawn towards the characters and the dystopian setting they were put under. Taking place in the year 2081, society is now obligated to be exactly equal; one must wear weights to counteract their good strength, wear grotesque masks to cover their good looks, and attempt to change their voice to disguise their appealing voices in order to level out their talents to the average public. This concept was a possibility that I never concerned myself with which ultimately drew my interest in the short story.

Handicapped Ballerina

            The theme present in the plot is that absolute equality is not an ideal worth sacrificing individual rights for. To execute this unjust and unreasonable utopia, the government ran by the Handicapper General tortures its citizens. Although as a reader, this concept would seem outrageous, but for the public who has endured such laws for a good amount of time, the insistence of total equality has seeped and internalized within them. Others who are unsatisfied with the struggles they have to bear can neither complain nor make a change in fear of the return of the “dark ages,” filled with competition and inequality. In this setting, Harrison Bergeron symbolizes bravery and resistance to injustice. He signifies revolution and defiance that still exists in the American public. He displays none of the cowardice and passivity that most have given into. Although his rebellion is admirable, he is assassinated by Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General. The murder of individuality and healthy competition is symbolized in the last scene of Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron.”

TOW #19: To Build a Fire by Jack London

            Jack London is one of my favorite novelist, first captivating my interest through his novel, White Fang. 19^th century American author and journalist Jack London was who came to mind when pondering about what short story to analyze. After looking through some of his works, I came across a short 16-page story, “To Build a Fire.” In short, the naturalist short story focuses on a traveling man and his husky in the Yukon who has planned to meet his friends later on in the evening. While reading, the character development and the transition from confidence to frantic fear grasped by attention throughout the story.

            At first when he begins his journey on an extremely cold morning, the man exerted great confidence and certainty that he would be able to cross the snowy tundra without a companion. Although he was warned by an old man of Sulphur Creek that “no man should travel alone in that country after 50 below zero,” but he had underestimated the harsh conditions of the environment, calling the other travelers “womanish.” However, when the man fails to create a fire, symbolizing life, multiple times, he begins to panic. As he loses control, he considers killing his wolf-dog to gain warmth from the fresh blood. The transition from calm boldness to hysteria is depicted clearly through the man’s changing behavior and actions. The fire in the plot symbolizes life and survival, drawing the conflict between man versus nature and the need for fire to make that victory. In the end (spoiler alert!), as the man had continuously failed at his attempts to create fire, he had perished in the snow.

TOW #18: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Although I have read The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin previously, I was only in the fifth grade at the time. Despite my faded memory of the plot, I recall good memories of being read this book. From what I remember, this is a mystery novel, following the lives of sixteen people who are all tenants in the Sunset Towers. If I do recall correctly, there is a will to be shared; the catch is that the pair who solves the mystery (I don’t remember) inherits the entire fortune.

            Ellen Raskin’s The Westing Game is unlike any other book that I have read. As I am not an ardent fan in the realm of mystery novels, I have very rudimentary knowledge on the genre. However, the unexpected aspect of the plot keeps me on my toes, anxious to continue. So far in The Westing Game, only the development of the setting and character’s background has been introduced. Although it is a short novel, keeping up with the lives of sixteen tenants is not as hard as I has expected, thanks to Raskin’s detailed characterization of each member. Everyone’s identity is distinct which makes the story even the more interesting as you get to see how each character contributes to the story as a whole. In addition, identity plays a significant role is the plot as through the Westing game, each character is establishing their own identities. Through the durance of the game, they begin to redefine themselves and realize their true “identity.” The message behind this story so far is probably to figure out who they really are. 

IRB Post #3: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

For this cycle, I will be reading The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. I hope to achieve a deeper insight into this novel as the first and last time that I have read this was when I was in the fifth grade. Since this is labeled as a classic, I was immediately drawn towards it despite by unfamiliarity of the mystery genre.

TOW #17: Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh

            When asking an individual to name one painting they know, most likely than not, Starry Night will be mentioned. As much as Van Gogh’s works are considered masterpieces of this day, the constant glorification of the subject sometimes runs down its magnitude. After having seen Van Gogh’s Starry Night numerous times without giving much thought into it, I’ve encountered an interest in discovering what the meanings behind some of the world’s most famous works of art.

            During his time of existence and career, the Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh was not hailed for his artistic techniques, undermining his style and calling it “sloppy, crude and childish.” The critics who were more accustomed to photographic landscapes and portraits of the time did not appreciate the surrealism that Van Gogh emanated. He was therefore isolated from the general public, which his feelings of loneliness could be portrayed through the contrast of dark and light colors of his painting. The big brushstrokes could signify his desire to continue being bold with his style, endeavoring to convince himself that he is more confident than he actually is.

            Although this may be stretching a bit, the eleven stars on Van Gogh’s Starry Night could signify Joseph’s dream of the eleven stars in the Bible. In the biblical account of Joseph, the dreamer, the boy was also isolated from his own family and sold into slavery by the abandonment of eleven of his jealous older brothers. Similar to how Joseph showed constant efforts to receive acceptance from his siblings, Van Gogh also displayed his determined endeavor towards being respected as an artist but had failed to receive recognition of the time period’s art critics.

TOW #16: The Death of the Hired Man by Robert Frost

            As I’ve always been a poem fanatic, I am fully aware of the highly regard American poet Robert Frost. Growing up, I’ve enjoyed reading his works from time to time, but as I was still young, I did not fully grasp the meaning behind his words. After fostering the ability to analyze and interpret texts, I believe that I am all the more competent to delve deeper into Frost’s purpose in his short story, “The Death of a Hired Man.” In this work, Frost outlines the themes of duty and hard work.

            The story begins with a husband (Warren) coming home from work. He is immediately greeted by his concerned wife (Mary), notifying him of the return of their ex-farmhand, Silas. Silas, too old and weak to work, came back to fulfill his obligation and duty that he promised to Warren. However, feeling betrayed by Silas multiple times as he (Silas) left Warren during the peaks of harvest, leaving him alone when he needed someone the most. After some time of Mary convincing Warren to be kind and go see Silas of his condition, he discovers that Silas has died.

            In the text, themes of isolation and reputation serves as a backdrop, enhancing the core meaning of Frost’s work. Silas, wanting to make things right, returns to fulfill his contract with Warren before he dies. He seems to want an honorable death, surrounded by those he sees as family. However, although he came back to his “home,” Silas passes away alone. When Warren went to tend to Silas and his condition, he comes back sooner than expected, notifying Mary that Silas had died with one word, “Dead.”

            Despite Silas’s bad reputation, Mary displays kindness, reminding Warren to “Be kind.” Mary serves as a mother-figure, a symbol of love and nurture for anyone regardless of their past experiences or background. In Biblical references, Mary embodies the mother of humanity or Christ, insisting that man must be loved and cared, for he is dying.

The lasting effect of this timeless poem serves to teach the audience of reputation and the effort of relaying kindness to everyone.