Several days ago the news of the death of Qaddafi is released.Qaddafi was definitely one of the most erratic and stubborn leaders in the world. His ridiculous dressing style and messed-up speech has made him a international joke. During his years, Libya didn't even have a feasible government system. “This is my country!” he roared as he shook his fist and pounded the lectern. Even though with such guilt to his country,“Muammar is not a president to quit his post. Muammar is the leader of the revolution until the end of time!”(New York Times) Qaddafi was extremely stubborn to his position. For several time he refused to exile abroad, which directly caused his death. It takes very long time for a person to climb up to the stage of claiming himself as a "god"; but sometimes it takes only one second for a "god" to fall to a lousy ant. After forty years of dissolute excesses, His sudden shameful death "marks an end to the first phase of the Libyan revolution. "(SENATOR JOHN McCAIN) according to Washington D.C.
It's true that the long and crazy authoritarian of Qaddafi has eventually come to an end. But is a bright future of Libyans promised? With the collapse of the Qaddafi power, Libya is left with no complete government system and huge war damage all across the country. Even without Qaddafi, this country is still faced with serious problems, such as war of secession and anarchy. "There have also been discouraging reports about the treatment of migrant workers, and of infighting within the National Transitional Council."(New York Times)Will the rebel's governance be responsible for the recovery? Will the Libyans' benefits be put as the first order? Nothing can be guaranteed so far. I hope this time Libyans can work together with one heart and rebuild a new country with true democracy.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
AFTER THE FALLS
a) Cathy's relationship with her mother and father
Cathy's relationship with her father and mother is quite complicated. Cathy was very close to her father. During a series of changes that happened to their life, their relationship has been changing continuously and finally Cathy grew up to become an independent young woman. Her mother, however, was more like a constant role in Cathy's life, especially after her father's death.
Cathy was very close to her father during her early years. She worked in her father's drug store, and they collaborated on different projects. Their spent so much time together that a psychiatrist pointed out that Cathy was“far too close with my father and Roy and needed to have female friends or I would not be “socialized” correctly.“ (20) The situation changed when Cathy became a teenager . She tended to stay with her friends more often and the bond between her and her father became loose. This phenomenon is common and expected even in society nowadays. I personally don't feel as much connected as I was when I was younger. I believe the same applied to the majority of teenagers.
Another significant change between their relationship is the brain cancer with which Cathy's father got diagnosed. Between staying with her father and lots of opportunities away from family, Cathy chose to leave her father to her mother. Near the end of her father's life, Cathy realized that what she had done made her father think he could never be good enough. The last comment Cathy's father gave her was “She was a real pip.” (337) As it turned out the word "Pip" can be used with completely opposite meanings, someone to be loved or someone to be disliked. I think that perfectly explains most parents' feeling to their children: "endless love but with sorrow and disappointments."
On the other hand, Cathy's relationship with her mother is quite the opposite and stable. Her mother is always there for Cathy, but she never interrupts too much to Cathy's personal life. Their connection is far less close. However, when Cathy is at her 60s, she finally understand the sacrifices her mother has done for her and the family, such as the taking care of her father after he got cancer.
b)Influence of Popular culture
Lots of reference to popular culture can be found in After the Falls. They worked in the background to make the story vivid and help readers understand the days in Cathy's memory more easily.
The first major influence of popular culture is the assassination of President Kennedy. “President Kennedy was shot. He’s been shot in the head in a motorcade in Dallas.” (P. 95) As one of the most famous event happened in US history, This news was a huge shock to Cathy's mother and after that she lost huge deal of passion for life. And also it leads to Cathy's political involvement because of the later-on Black Lawn Jockey incident.
Lots of samples of fashion at that time can be found in the passage. In order for Cathy to fit in, she must wear the most popular of current styles. So the essentials were purchased, “The Ladybug blouses, cable-knit sweaters with matching knee socks, the shoes at Pappagallo’s, and London Fog raincoats.” (P.37) Also, when Cathy arrives at the University of Ohio, she outgrows her preppy past, meeting Sarah, a “beatnik” who brought her to an early Buffalo Springfield concert, opening up Cathy to the world of hippies.
At the aspect of civil rights issues at that time, Laurie Coal, Cathy's African-American boyfriend, plays an instrumental role. Laurie came down most weekends and together we got involved in civil rights demonstrations and worked for the [NAACP]." (264) Her passion for welfare and helping others is supported by her experiences in riots of the time. Ultimately, popular culture helps her gain an understanding of herself and allows her to become more mature.
c) Work Life
Throughout the book, Cathy has built up a very impressive resume for herself. Her work life started from her child life, and leads her to lots of different places. A large portion of the memoir is based around Cathy’s work experiences and her determination to succeed.
As a child, Cathy spent most of her time working in her father’s drugstore, McClure’s Drugs. And this job ended when they moved to Buffalo. In her teenage years, seek for another source of money, Cathy started the business of selling makeup products to her peers. She sold Mary Kay Cosmetics to her classmates at breaks during school and discovers that she “seemed to have been born to work, for soon I was toiling until the wee hours and ranking as a top saleswoman, before moving on to the big time - Mary Kay cosmetics.” (84) Along with that she also got a job at a donut shop, the Dunks.
Later in the novel, she got a job at the Howard Johnson as a short order cook, something she was not particularly accustomed to. She is fired for her inability to make a Western and other orders when complaints start to come into the kitchen. However, she was lucky enough to get a job to replace a hostess. Working at this hotel, she was given a wage increase of three years and part-time work whenever she desired. This came as a shock when she politely served none other than Howard Johnson himself.
One of Cathy's most significant jobs in her life was at New York State Welfare. She decided to start a program to “match the teenager to the position.” (208) and succeeded when she gets a job at a riding school for Flaps, a polite and kind son of a prostitute who survives on his own and has a special connection with horses. Cathy went back to the riding academy a few years later and found out that Flaps “had worked at the club all through high school” and “Everyone had heard of him. He’d managed an entire stable that was as long as a city block.” (211) She felt she had truly made a difference in someone’s life and takes note that this can be achieved with hard work.
d) Friendship
Cathy's friendship is pivotal in the memoir. It began with Roy, the driver at her father's drug store. fter the incident at church, she brings back memories of her friend as she "began to tell him of all that had happened since moving. It poured out: the ugliness of the neighbourhood, the tiny house, the four-lane highways and the restaurants where the unhappy worked and the unhappier ate." (30) Roy is a symbol of her growth, as she smokes with him in spite of her parents' disapproval.
When Cathy met Laurie after they both won the Fun City poetry contest she was taken aback by his good looks, but lacked some initial social skills to break the ice. However, the two “travelled around the state, eventually winding up where we’d started, in western New York.” (235) and slowly became closer. It seems as though the relationship was over at the end of the speaker series, but she was surprised to find out that he attends Ohio State and a more intimate relationship could be possible. This relationship was a substantial focus of the memoir for many chapters as they became a couple. She learned to loosen her grip on life and let things happen when she was with Laurie. However, all that Cathy knew of Laurie came crashing down when two FBI agents told her he was a con man and most likely selling drugs at Ohio State. Her trust in men had reached new heights with Laurie but now was at a new low.
Cathy's relationship with her father and mother is quite complicated. Cathy was very close to her father. During a series of changes that happened to their life, their relationship has been changing continuously and finally Cathy grew up to become an independent young woman. Her mother, however, was more like a constant role in Cathy's life, especially after her father's death.
Cathy was very close to her father during her early years. She worked in her father's drug store, and they collaborated on different projects. Their spent so much time together that a psychiatrist pointed out that Cathy was“far too close with my father and Roy and needed to have female friends or I would not be “socialized” correctly.“ (20) The situation changed when Cathy became a teenager . She tended to stay with her friends more often and the bond between her and her father became loose. This phenomenon is common and expected even in society nowadays. I personally don't feel as much connected as I was when I was younger. I believe the same applied to the majority of teenagers.
Another significant change between their relationship is the brain cancer with which Cathy's father got diagnosed. Between staying with her father and lots of opportunities away from family, Cathy chose to leave her father to her mother. Near the end of her father's life, Cathy realized that what she had done made her father think he could never be good enough. The last comment Cathy's father gave her was “She was a real pip.” (337) As it turned out the word "Pip" can be used with completely opposite meanings, someone to be loved or someone to be disliked. I think that perfectly explains most parents' feeling to their children: "endless love but with sorrow and disappointments."
On the other hand, Cathy's relationship with her mother is quite the opposite and stable. Her mother is always there for Cathy, but she never interrupts too much to Cathy's personal life. Their connection is far less close. However, when Cathy is at her 60s, she finally understand the sacrifices her mother has done for her and the family, such as the taking care of her father after he got cancer.
b)Influence of Popular culture
Lots of reference to popular culture can be found in After the Falls. They worked in the background to make the story vivid and help readers understand the days in Cathy's memory more easily.
The first major influence of popular culture is the assassination of President Kennedy. “President Kennedy was shot. He’s been shot in the head in a motorcade in Dallas.” (P. 95) As one of the most famous event happened in US history, This news was a huge shock to Cathy's mother and after that she lost huge deal of passion for life. And also it leads to Cathy's political involvement because of the later-on Black Lawn Jockey incident.
Lots of samples of fashion at that time can be found in the passage. In order for Cathy to fit in, she must wear the most popular of current styles. So the essentials were purchased, “The Ladybug blouses, cable-knit sweaters with matching knee socks, the shoes at Pappagallo’s, and London Fog raincoats.” (P.37) Also, when Cathy arrives at the University of Ohio, she outgrows her preppy past, meeting Sarah, a “beatnik” who brought her to an early Buffalo Springfield concert, opening up Cathy to the world of hippies.
At the aspect of civil rights issues at that time, Laurie Coal, Cathy's African-American boyfriend, plays an instrumental role. Laurie came down most weekends and together we got involved in civil rights demonstrations and worked for the [NAACP]." (264) Her passion for welfare and helping others is supported by her experiences in riots of the time. Ultimately, popular culture helps her gain an understanding of herself and allows her to become more mature.
c) Work Life
Throughout the book, Cathy has built up a very impressive resume for herself. Her work life started from her child life, and leads her to lots of different places. A large portion of the memoir is based around Cathy’s work experiences and her determination to succeed.
As a child, Cathy spent most of her time working in her father’s drugstore, McClure’s Drugs. And this job ended when they moved to Buffalo. In her teenage years, seek for another source of money, Cathy started the business of selling makeup products to her peers. She sold Mary Kay Cosmetics to her classmates at breaks during school and discovers that she “seemed to have been born to work, for soon I was toiling until the wee hours and ranking as a top saleswoman, before moving on to the big time - Mary Kay cosmetics.” (84) Along with that she also got a job at a donut shop, the Dunks.
Later in the novel, she got a job at the Howard Johnson as a short order cook, something she was not particularly accustomed to. She is fired for her inability to make a Western and other orders when complaints start to come into the kitchen. However, she was lucky enough to get a job to replace a hostess. Working at this hotel, she was given a wage increase of three years and part-time work whenever she desired. This came as a shock when she politely served none other than Howard Johnson himself.
One of Cathy's most significant jobs in her life was at New York State Welfare. She decided to start a program to “match the teenager to the position.” (208) and succeeded when she gets a job at a riding school for Flaps, a polite and kind son of a prostitute who survives on his own and has a special connection with horses. Cathy went back to the riding academy a few years later and found out that Flaps “had worked at the club all through high school” and “Everyone had heard of him. He’d managed an entire stable that was as long as a city block.” (211) She felt she had truly made a difference in someone’s life and takes note that this can be achieved with hard work.
d) Friendship
Cathy's friendship is pivotal in the memoir. It began with Roy, the driver at her father's drug store. fter the incident at church, she brings back memories of her friend as she "began to tell him of all that had happened since moving. It poured out: the ugliness of the neighbourhood, the tiny house, the four-lane highways and the restaurants where the unhappy worked and the unhappier ate." (30) Roy is a symbol of her growth, as she smokes with him in spite of her parents' disapproval.
When Cathy met Laurie after they both won the Fun City poetry contest she was taken aback by his good looks, but lacked some initial social skills to break the ice. However, the two “travelled around the state, eventually winding up where we’d started, in western New York.” (235) and slowly became closer. It seems as though the relationship was over at the end of the speaker series, but she was surprised to find out that he attends Ohio State and a more intimate relationship could be possible. This relationship was a substantial focus of the memoir for many chapters as they became a couple. She learned to loosen her grip on life and let things happen when she was with Laurie. However, all that Cathy knew of Laurie came crashing down when two FBI agents told her he was a con man and most likely selling drugs at Ohio State. Her trust in men had reached new heights with Laurie but now was at a new low.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Moving the Reader
Ass Burger
"A weight has been lifted. And I understand why sometimes people speak in clichés because sometimes there is simply no other way to describe something. A weight has been lifted. It's not all my fault. I'm not retarded. Or slow. It's him. It's always been him. And nobody knew it."
This passage moves me the most in the article. I think it touched Augusten Burroughs emotionally more than other passages do. This must be a very significant turning point in this chapter and also Burroughs’ life. After all the years being mocked by his brother, it turns out it’s him who isn’t normal. This must be a shock as well as a relief for Burroughs. Knowing he wasn’t the “retarded one” at all and having his brother as new problems to worry about at the same time are some of the most contrary things I can think of. The emotional complex is totally revealed to the readers through these words.
"The more I read about this condition, the more I read about my brother, an individual unlike anybody I have ever met before. Clearly, not only does my brother have Asperger's syndrome, he is the poster-boy for it."
This passage also moves me because it shows how Burroughs cares about his brother deep down in his heart. You can feel the weight being lifted on Burroughs’ shoulders as he discovered the reason of his brother’s weird personality. Knowing his brother is not alone in the world in this case must made him feel relieved.
After the Falls
"I could hear all this because he was still screaming at the top of his lungs. A fool of myself. That phrase exploded within me and has clung forever like napalm. No matter what I ever did with men, I worried about making a fool of myself. I didn't know the rules. Had I looked needy and pathetic? I must have or my father, who was the picture of reason, wouldn't have acted that way.”(25)
This passage moves me because it clearly shows how strong that Jim’s words had affected his daughter. The word “exploded” is a magnificent and vivid use here to describe the power of the words and how they left a permanent effect on Catherine’s life. It’s quite a shock for me to see how words can hurt people so much.
"I had no idea then that I was leaving behind the least-troubled years of my life. Strange, since I felt there was no way I could cause more trouble than I'd caused in Lewiston."(5)
This passage moves me because it shows how Catherine misses her old home. It is a difficult experience having to move during young age. Catherine was clearly upset and angry about the downgrade of living condition and struggle she has to go through to fit in to unknown environment. As a person who travelled thousands of miles away from homeland I can totally relate to her “homesickness”.
"A weight has been lifted. And I understand why sometimes people speak in clichés because sometimes there is simply no other way to describe something. A weight has been lifted. It's not all my fault. I'm not retarded. Or slow. It's him. It's always been him. And nobody knew it."
This passage moves me the most in the article. I think it touched Augusten Burroughs emotionally more than other passages do. This must be a very significant turning point in this chapter and also Burroughs’ life. After all the years being mocked by his brother, it turns out it’s him who isn’t normal. This must be a shock as well as a relief for Burroughs. Knowing he wasn’t the “retarded one” at all and having his brother as new problems to worry about at the same time are some of the most contrary things I can think of. The emotional complex is totally revealed to the readers through these words.
"The more I read about this condition, the more I read about my brother, an individual unlike anybody I have ever met before. Clearly, not only does my brother have Asperger's syndrome, he is the poster-boy for it."
This passage also moves me because it shows how Burroughs cares about his brother deep down in his heart. You can feel the weight being lifted on Burroughs’ shoulders as he discovered the reason of his brother’s weird personality. Knowing his brother is not alone in the world in this case must made him feel relieved.
After the Falls
"I could hear all this because he was still screaming at the top of his lungs. A fool of myself. That phrase exploded within me and has clung forever like napalm. No matter what I ever did with men, I worried about making a fool of myself. I didn't know the rules. Had I looked needy and pathetic? I must have or my father, who was the picture of reason, wouldn't have acted that way.”(25)
This passage moves me because it clearly shows how strong that Jim’s words had affected his daughter. The word “exploded” is a magnificent and vivid use here to describe the power of the words and how they left a permanent effect on Catherine’s life. It’s quite a shock for me to see how words can hurt people so much.
"I had no idea then that I was leaving behind the least-troubled years of my life. Strange, since I felt there was no way I could cause more trouble than I'd caused in Lewiston."(5)
This passage moves me because it shows how Catherine misses her old home. It is a difficult experience having to move during young age. Catherine was clearly upset and angry about the downgrade of living condition and struggle she has to go through to fit in to unknown environment. As a person who travelled thousands of miles away from homeland I can totally relate to her “homesickness”.
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