The Great Gatsby, initial thoughts

Nick as a narrator seems impressionable, but he wants to be a man who accepts others. The first section of writing seems to be setting the scene about his own character making it known he is from a wealthy family, possible to emphasize the immense wealth of the people he socialises with during the novel.
His small introduction to Gatsby seems praising although it is obvious there is an event or difference of opinion that causes his to think differently of him in the novel which is solved at the end.
There are various phrases which intrigue the reader throughout the beginning of the story such as

"Abortive sorrows and short-winded elations of men"

which seem fairly to the point, yet it's a thoughtful statement possibly an insight to Nick's character.

It is interesting he mentions men fondly quite a few times but never shows any interest of women even though you would think a young soldier who participated in the war would be...

Was Fortinbras right?

Fortinbras' description of hamlet as a "soldier" and likely "to have proved most royal", is quite accurate in a way. He was most royal in that he avenged his father and he didn't run from Laertes when he proposed a duel he stood and fought like a prince, like a king. Claudius certainly didn't prove as royal and he plotted and lied to get to where he did.
However, Hamlet did show that some of his qualities weren't royal. Such as, killing Polonius in a passionate act and continuing to feel no remorse towards his death. Also, not doing the brave and soldierly thing of storming in and killing Claudius as soon as he heard his fathers depiction of how he was murdered.
The definition of a King and therefore royal seems to be galiant and brave; storming in and killing everyone in sight. Although wouldn't a king be better if he planned and plotted his eventual outcome? As Hamlet does. So he may have been a great king although he led himself to his own downfall.
Fortinbras' description does seem to make the audience think of Hamlets character overall and how royal he was and may have proved to be.

Tragic Hamlet, Act 4

Polonius’ death in the previous Act seems to fuel the rest of the play. It causes Ophelia’s madness and eventual death, Laertes anger and thoughts of revenge and Claudius’ eventual decision to send Hamlet away to be killed.

We witness in Act 4, the beginning of the end. Hamlet’s state of mind is still questionable as he attempts to hide Polonius’ body, although his character does seem to develop in scene 4 where he witnesses Fortinbras’ army, here there seems to be some realisation that he has been a coward

“one part wisdom and ever three parts coward”

and must fulfill his duty to his father and kill Claudius.

“My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth”

During scene 5 the effect of Polonius’ death on Ophelia becomes apparent and her madness certainly eclipses Hamlets which is another supporting argument that Hamlet has been faking it.

The tragic elements of this act come into scene 5 and also scene 7. All because of the reappearance of Laertes, his anger and pain reflects in the language he uses

“To hell allegiance, vows to the blackest devil, conscience and grace to the profoundest pit! I dare damnation.”

And Claudius and Gertrude, although they are not our tragic heroes still have the urgency to assign blame. Gertrude has urgency and Claudius assigns the blame, he makes sure that Laertes knows who the real guilty party is and makes it seem like Hamlet was intent on killing Polonius rather than it just being a passionate act.

During scene 7 Claudius and Laertes begin to plot Hamlet’s downfall. This could be portrayed in more than one way; they could be plotting together or Claudius could be convincing Laertes, persuading him that it is his duty to his father. As they bring their plot to a finish. Gertrude brings news of Ophelia’s Death, provoking a tragic wail from Laertes and concluding the act.

Tragic Hamlet, Acts Two and Three

It is clear that from Act 1 to Act 2 some time has passed in order for Hamlet to develop his madness but the first evidence we see is in scene 1 when Ophelia informs us of Hamlet’s trouser incident. But as Hamlet appears more in the second scene we begin to understand what Ophelia and Polonius have been talking about. Further on in this act we are introduced to the players and Hamlets idea of trapping Claudius by performing scene of his father’s murder. Hamlet justifies his actions by saying he is proving Claudius’ guilt before he kills him. Although even when he proves is guilt he still backs out of killing him. Hamlet is accentuating his fatal flaw; he continues to get chances to kill Claudius and continues to talk himself out of doing it (3.3.73-96). Hamlet is essentially a coward but a well spoken coward so we tend not to think of him that way. Whereas in Macbeth his cowardice is pointed out by Lady Macbeth, therefore we dwell it more.

These Acts are effectively the beginning of the end, building up to the tragic finale and Hamlet’s moment.

Hamlet Act Two

Hamlet's Soliloquy at the end of act two he reflects on how he will use the play to prove the king's guilt. Allthough he has planned to fake his madness, from this soliloquy it shows that he is showing signs of real madness, as his constant rhetorical questions prove. The reality of his madness suggests that there was a longer gap between the first and second act as it first appears.
Previously in the second act Hamlets playfullness towards the players, seems to be only to irritate Polonius and his language; to entertain the audience.
Witin this act we begin to see the differences in how Hamlet acts with his superiors (Polonius, Claudius and Gertrude) to how he acts with his equals (Guildenstern and Rosencrantz) and his madness seems to decrease when with his friends which contributes towards the proof of his faking his madness.

Tragic Hamlet, Act One

During the first act of Hamlet, Tragic elements are already beginning to show. Such as the early appearance of the ghost, immediately raising questions about how he died? Whether he was a good king? Is he missed? These are quickly answered in hamlets soliloquy in scene two, which marks him as the classic tragic hero. All the things that have happened prior to the play have affected him the most and from the final scene in the act we discover his fatal flaw or “Hamartia”; his inability to charge into the banquet hall and kill Claudius immediately. Instead he keeps it to himself and makes Horatio and Marcellus swear to, also.

Another tragic element which presents itself in the first act is the conflict; internal and external. Hamlet is battling with his Mother and new Step-Father in scene two about mourning his father's funeral and resenting the hastily followed wedding. All the while internally conflicting himself, as he cannot seem to help but hurt his Mother even though he doesn’t want to.

Long Distance II

When reading the first part of the poem, my sympathies were with the son because although he bought his father a thoughtless present and doesn't really pay attention to what he is saying when he calls. At least the son does call once a week and tries to keep that contact. Also it's hard to sympathise with an angry character however hard their situation may be.
The second part of the poem does invoke more emotion towards the father. Rather than reclusive, the father just seems lonely and no matter how you look at it, it's simply a sad situation. The last paragraph implies that the father has now died too, and a glimpse of the son now turning into the character his father was by continuing to call him just to see if he might pick up. From the second half my sympathies increase for the son as now he has lost two parents and although he may not be young, it's still a hard thing to face.

Princess and the Pea, Analysis

We used the narrative techniques of a diary entry and at the turning point in the story, a letter. The varied forms of language between these two parts of the story give some structure and life to the characters and their point of view. From what the Princess writes it seems that she is rather spoilt and girly which is a complete contrast to the tone of the Prince’s sombre and sincere letter, this is obviously because his prospective wife has just died but there is a manner of professionalism about him also.

In the Diary section of the story there are many in depth descriptions of the setting. This increases the involvement of the reader; painting a picture of the scene. The “Melancholy lit country road” contrasts with the description of the Mansion, making it seem more of a heavenly place which is glowing in the dark. Another contrast is between the “godlike” appearance of the Prince and the “unkempt” Princess, him seeming more perfect in comparison.

The letter allows a different point of view on the story, with a description of events from the Prince rather than the Princess. The different point of view allows the reader to sympathise with another perspective and therefore get more involved with the story.

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone

This poem evokes strong emotions from start to finish. The first stanza seems to have a sense of denial,

“Stop all the clocks, Cut off the telephone”

These first few lines give the impression that the writer doesn’t want to accept the truth, by stopping time and shutting people out he may be able to preserve the delusion that nothing has happened for a little longer. Denial is also the first of five stages of grieving using the Kübler-Ross model, perhaps Auden is simply going through the motions of grieving, taking it one stage at a time.

The second stanza contains the line,

“Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead”

“Moaning” is a very onomatopoeic word from this you can almost visualize the type of aeroplane he meant and the “moaning” noise it would be making. The sound of the words could also be linked with the mourners in the church, the sadness and lamenting.

The third stanza is almost where he permits himself to remember his love. Like light at the end of a tunnel; a truly loving sentiment in such a somber poem.

As Auden moves onto the final stanza the atmosphere of the poem moves too. The poem slips into depression or even anger. Almost as a child throws a toy with frustration Auden orders for the night sky and the oceans etc. should be put away or discarded. And as we know from the Kübler-Ross model, Anger is the second stage of the grieving process. Perhaps if Auden had extended this poem he may have progressed through the last three stages, but as the success of the poem proves; it doesn’t need extending.

The Princess and the Pea

Dear Diary

I’ve had the worst day of my life, after the most boring banquet with the duke and his wife my coach had a broken wheel and they had no spare coach which was utterly profound so I had to walk… and of top of the despicable occurrence it started to rain; its such a shame since my silk green garment was absolutely wrecked,

Luckily after walking down a very melancholy lit country road I came across a luxurious mansion… it was incredibly beautiful; with grand white pillars that towered to the sky, majestic gold doors and windows that exploded light into the swallowing pit of darkness that I had succumbed to.

I speedily tottered in my now mud encrusted heels towards the nearest window that displayed an extravagantly decorated front room. As I peered in I could see a gorgeous fire place with a flaming orange ball blowing heat across the marble tiled floor… I longed to be warm, to feel the comfort that this mansion holds.

With this new impulse I headed towards the door… a door unlike most doors, the detail was so intricate I could see the household must have been important… However I still believe my home is much more divine than this.

As I gracefully held the bell handle and plunged it down a few times just to make sure I wouldn’t be ignored I heard a distant tapping that grew louder and sharper as the seconds commenced. Although I knew it was help a part of me was quite frightened by this small detail… it sent a shuddering chill down my spine. Now the sound was projecting through my ear drums and I couldn’t ignore it….. Just as I thought it would never end the door slowly slid ajar to release the face of a very small woman who was embellished in fine jewellery and a beautiful purple gown. Her pristine composure was quite surprising since the lady of the house never opens the door usually especially at this late hour…where were the maids? Eventually after what felt like hours her voice echoed through the high roofed hallway asking who I was. As I was briskly repeating to the elder lady of my awful troubles this godlike man appeared in the distance.

At that point I realised I must have looked a fright, my hair was strewn like an unkept bush and my dress was so ghastly at this point… I dare to think…. I must have appeared to be a common person to these hospitable people that took me in for the night. Thankfully the extremely handsome, spellbinding gentleman who I now know is her son and the PRINCE persuaded his mother to allow me in for the night until I can call for someone in the morning to collect me. They collected a maid from the lower quarters to bathe me (which happened to be the most luscious smelling oils… id say they had a hint of rosemary to them) then guided me to a newly made guestroom with the highest pile of mattresses you ever did see; god knows why there are so many mattresses… this family have very strange ways and sadly I don’t find it to much comfort but if my thoughts are correct there is something lurking in amongst them all so I’m just about to have a quick gander and see if I can solve this treacherous  annoyance. Hopefully my bad luck is over and I can have a joyous slumber.

To the unfortunate Receivers of this letter,

I am dreadfully sorry to inform you of the loss of your eldest daughter. The only consolidation I can give you is what I can conclude of her death.

She was the victim of a cruel test of my mothers. I assure you, I knew nothing of her scheme until early this morning when she confessed all, since which she has been banished by my father for crushing such a beautiful flower which your daughter was.

My mother, looking for a match for me, was unbelieving that your daughter was a princess and proceeded to test her by making her sleep upon 50 mattresses with a single pea hidden within them, knowing that nobody but a real princess would have skin delicate enough to feel the offending vegetable.

Upon finding her diary (enclosed) I believe she felt the pea and attempted to find it among her mattresses, only to fall from the great height and be crushed by the weight of the felonious bedding.

I can only offer my deepest apologies and assure you I am grieving with you, such a loss will be hard to live with. I have joined the armed forces in the hope I may join her in the eternal kingdom.

Yours terribly sincerely,

Prince Arthur.

Why Hamlet is so good

Different aspects of the play make it the most dramatic in the english language such as, a play within a play, which is a device favourited by Shakespeare, it allows the audience to become more involved in the play as we know whats going on but the king, Claudius, doesn't.
Also it's a play that people can disect and derrive different meanings. Some people may say that Hamlet never saw his fathers ghost and he was going mad from the beginning. While others may say that his fathers ghost was attempting to protect his wife from Hamlet, thats why he wasn't visible to Gertrude.
An interpretation of the play is that Hamlet is suffering from an Oedipus complex. He is jealous of Claudius because he is in love with his mother.
The list for interpretations and meanings goes on which is certainly a main factor of why Hamlet is so well loved, it means different things to different people.
So why is Hamlet so good? it's because it is timeless. With ghosts, betrayal, madness and murder, it would be as well recieved today as it was when it was written 400 years ago.

Novel Openings

I chose "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien as my interesting opening. I liked the opening because it doesn't describe the character it describes his home, or rather what his home isn't. I could have just used the opening line but I decided to expand to the paragraph to include J.R.R. Tolkien's wit, and my favourite bit "oozy smell" which conjures up the vile imagry I would expect from a book.