By far, my favorite piece that I've read for this class has been "A&P" by John Updike. I really liked how each character was so real and believable. If I had to make that story into a movie, I can think of someone in my life to play each character. I like the fact that Sammy didn't "get the girl" in the end. This story was very realistic.
This story touched me deeply. It's a story of racism, suffering, and art. It shows the different ways people can go in life, and how no matter what happens, family is the most important thing we have. Having had many friends that have struggled with heroin addiction, I relate to the narrator. It is extremely difficult to understand addicts and why they make the choices they do. The hardest thing to do is watch someone you love make choices that you both know are unwise, and yet there is nothing you can do to stop them. I have had some friends survive and get clean, and others who have succumbed to their addiction (too many), and there is a lot of truth in "Sonny's Blues." Most of the time all we can do for loved ones going through this is to be there for them. Support helps them get well. I feel everyone should read this story, especially anyone that has been through a similar situation. It truly is timeless.
A version of the song Sonny performed in the jazz club at the end of the story. This is a jazz guitar take on the song by Grant Green, an amazing Blue Note Records artist. Enjoy. Submitted by Sean Rotelli
E.E. Cummings' "Buffalo Bill's" is a poem where I admired the structure more than the content itself. It isn't a "must-read" poem and you're not really missing out on much. Note how Buffalo Bill and Mister Death are on their own lines, separate from each other. It reminds me of a western duel. If you read the poem, you'll find that the winner of the Duel is Mister Death. You could be a hero, cheat death, but you'll never beat death.
Oedipus the King by Sophocles was a true example of a tragedy, one whose theme of fate and free will are very strong through out the play. To the Ancient Greeks, fate was a part of life, a part that was already written and sealed. One cannot escape from fate; it is a power beyond human control. But it was fate and free will that both decided the outcome of this tragedy.The outcome that befalls Oedipus is presented in a way that allows the reader to comprehend the true pain and torture that this truth has brought on. His anguish over having to put his daughters through losing their mother as well as to having to deal with their fathers public disgrace, his despair over the suicide of his wife and his loss of respect from the people he once ruled lead him to maim himself in such away that he would suffer for the rest of his life.I would recommend Oedipus the King as an interesting read, but probably would not read other works by this author unless I was required to.
I really enjoyed this short story by Jack London. There really wasn’t a whole lot going on here, but it didn’t matter. The way he described the scenery of the Yukon, it made me feel as if I was there with this man and his dog. Towards the end of the story you could really feel the sense of urgency coming over the man as he tried frantically to build the fire that could potentially save his life. In the end he fails. I felt bad for him because he had received some good advice from an old timer that was experienced with the brutal trail. He was told not to travel alone when the temperature was to reach fifty below zero. He did anyways and it cost him his life. The dog was smart enough to keep his distance from the man as he became frantic. He realized the danger that he posed. The dog was smart enough to “cut his loses” and ditch the guy and to head for camp where food and warmth could be found. I do plan on reading more from London and I would recommend him to anyone wanting a good read.
When I first read the title of this story, all I could think of was how boring this story would be. As I began reading, the story started getting my attention. I started to get into it and wondering what had happened to the man. The man was by himself in an extreme cold weather. He had nothing but clothes, matches, and very little food. I sort of figured he would die, but even so I still wanted to know he handled each situation he went through. I thought he was brave, but at the same time dumb because for one thing he shouldn't have made a fire under a tree full of snow. And when the part he tried to kill the dog to get warmth, I didn't know what to think of that. In the end he was frost bitten so badly, he ended up dying. I don't think I could ever see myself going through what he did. If I were him, I wouldn't even have gone out to see my friends in that kind of weather.
This play was very long but it kept me interested to see what would happen to Oedipus and the city of Thebes. I usually do not like plays like this as they are not in basic English, but I really wanted to know how Oedipus found out he killed his father. The play was very drawn out at points but the meaning and the end of the story was enjoyable. The idea where he was his brother’s father and was married to his mother was a little crazy but it made a good story. I would recommend this to a family or friend.
