Author Archives: mgray25

Cultural/Political Response             Brick Lane addresses the political conditions it is set in by weaving the cultural and political effects of 9/11 into Ali’s characters’ actions. Chanu, the avid reader, is fascinated by the newspaper report and points out a … Continue reading →

“When Chanu fidgeted he showed his unease. When Karim could not be still, he showed his energy.” This quote reflects Nazeem’s view of how these men handle difficulties. It shows her perceptible eye on the differences of men. Many performers … Continue reading →

“Nothing like these plastic pots from these plastic English cows.” This statement was confusing, as I was not sure if cows were sacred in their native culture’s religion. It was also humorous, referring to plastic cows. It made me wonder … Continue reading →

The gender roles of evil is an interesting perspective. This would make an interesting research topic. It makes me curious as to what are the stereotypes of evil actions. Lady Macbeth seems to have more of a conscience, and it … Continue reading →

The most important ideas these theories put forth suggest historical and cultural variables add viewpoints to literary criticism. New historicism, coined by Stephen Greenblatt, developed from new criticism and deconstruction, as a way to view history, social history and literature … Continue reading →

Quotation: “…the father might castrate him for desiring the mother.”  Castration anxiety  appeared to be the strangest of Freud’s definitions.  I believe I am correct that the story of Oedipus included an unawareness that Oedipus married his mother; therefore, it … Continue reading →

The reading reflects the political issues of the Vietnam War’s lingering psychological effect on American soldiers.  The narrator describes the changes seen in his brother and his heartfelt attempts to provide healing.  The observance of Henry’s continued war mindset, after … Continue reading →

The most important idea in Robert Parker’s chapter, “Deconstruction”, is his disapproval of deconstructionists use of the verb deconstruct and his idea that a text is already self-deconstructed.  To imply action devalues the claim that nothing can be deconstructed (89).  … Continue reading →

The first line, “You do not do, you do not do” immediately struck me as a powerful intriguing opening.  The repetition gave a sense of importance, as a parent instructs a child.  It first rang out as a childish tantrum. … Continue reading →

Porphyria’s Lover Response Type: Theme/Issue The theme of the delusions is addressed in the poem, Porphyria’s Lover, by Robert Browning.  The lover’s mind and emotions appear unstable with his first description of the storm.  In his delusion, he not only … Continue reading →