As many people have pointed out, Hellblazer is not in packet two. Don't worry about it. You can read it here. Since it was not in the packet, the questions I will present to you today about Shoot will be extra credit.
Before you come to class, make sure you read the Wikipedia entries on "Sandman", "Preacher", and "Ex Machina" (and, if you have the chance, Hellblazer).
I have also posted the PDFs for Packet Three and an alternative Packet Four. We won't be discussing Packet Four in class, but those readings will be available as alternative stories if you don't find what you like in the previous three packets.
More to follow...
Monday, July 6, 2009
Hellblazer is not on Packet Two...(Symbolism and Theme)
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I have chosen to do my paper on the story, “Local.” Based on the contemplation of judgment that Megan, the main character portrays, I feel as though the theme of this story is freedom of choice. During this story, Megan also has a lot of pressure from her boyfriend in the midst of determining her final action. Regardless of the seemingly sticky situation Megan was in, she managed to pull her thoughts together and make a decision that would not put her at the whim of the law in a negative manner.
ReplyDeleteLocal
ReplyDeleteI really liked the story "Local" because the main character Megan faced a lot of peer pressure. The main themes are the issues of emotional abuse, drugs, and poor relationships. Megan has to overcome these conflicts in order to truly stand up for herself. The main themes play into this story to create a lot drama. Megan's defeat over these problems show the main theme of accomplishment.
The Preacher
I liked this story because of the darkness ans mystery of the preacher. The main themes are confession and religion, with dark humor. The hitchhikers in the story all add different emotions based on their personalities and actions. The theme that stood out to me the most was the mystery of the preacher and the last hitchhiker. There are so many questions left unanswered.
In the Preacher story I liked how the theme or idea was more simple than it really seems. The idea that there is a man driving his truck and picking up hitchickers leaves alot of room for a story to take place. At the end of the story, the last hitchicker leaves the reader questioning their American dream in a way. There's also the mystery of who exactly he is.
ReplyDeletePam Serra
I'm going to write about Dues Ex Machina because I really loved the central idea of a humble hero. This man could easy use his powers for evil;however, he choose the altruisitic path. He wants to help not only the people in his local community but his entire city. It takes a lot for a man to take on this kind of responsibility and be this self-sacrifical. The theme I found was a man who wanted to participate in the dream of his ideal america and wanted to work within to build it.
ReplyDeleteI also want to write about Texas and the Cowboy. I really, really enjoyed that story. I loved the ending and the theme of brother hood. I related to strong sense of espirit de corp they had. This theme was strong from begining to end. There was also a mild theme of a different America, an America little of us really knows about. This countries changed so much in such a short time but this comic gives us a glimse of that era. It's a little sad when you read the quote at the end but the main idea that the author portrays leaves the reader a little touched; thus I chose both these short stories because of thier inspirational heroic values of America.
The Sandman
ReplyDeleteThe Sandman really stood out the most to me when I read it. The theme of the story is basically all of the raw emotions a person can go through when struck with the loss of something they value. As all of the negative emotions that most adults give in to when in despair Joshua Norton chose to not give in and keep his dignity above all. It shows that as crazy as everyone thought he was his dream was more important than any type of temptation, greed, or lust.
I have chosen Ex Machina for my story. This story’s theme is a complex look at one person’s struggle to protect the American way of life. With great power comes great responsibility. Dilemmas and pressures surround the main character as he’s faced with choices as either an ordinary public servant or secretive superhero. His resolution to serve his community as a public figure separates his personal disillusionment and manages the emotional turmoil of his anonymous alter ego. Most of this issues is contrasted by what he believes are his own failures as a superhero and flashbacks to his past. This issue covers a wide array of matters in the American way of life.
ReplyDeleteThe story that grabbed my attention the most is the "Ex Machina". It has some aspects of trying to live the "American Dream". As the story is told, you come to realize that it is the hero telling his own story and sometimes he seems to be unhappy with the ending. As a child, everyone wants to be the hero but in this story you get a sense of being the hero might not be all that wonderful. Mayor Hundred wanted to do the right thing and help the people of New York. And he did, first as the "Great Machine" and then as mayor of New York. As with many people, mistakes can be made, which can lead to some regrets and doubts or maybe even jealousies by others because for what he has accomplished. How does one know if they have made the right decision in their life and their dreams? Only they know the answer to that question.
ReplyDeleteJillian O'Reilly
For this first essay I have chosen to write about the Ex Machina. I believe the theme for this story is that Mitchell Hundred has alot of love for the city of New York. No matter what role he has in the story, he still comes to the aid of the city in one form or another. Even the roles that aren't the great machine, are still superheros in their own right. They all help the people of New York. He is so human the way he doubts hisself; he could be anyone of us who truly loves our country. Anyone with that love of country, who tries their best to help where needed is a hero in their own right.
ReplyDeleteI am going to do my paper on "Local Story". I really want to explore the way that the American Dream has gone from freedom and choice to pbreaking the law, and literally doing whatever you want, regardless of the repercussions. But, at the end of the story, you can tell that she finally made her own decision and decided she could do better than the situation she was in.
ReplyDeleteI am going to do my paper on the Sandman story. The theme of this story focuses on the trials that people endure when trying to persue their American dream. It shows the side effects of failure and the benefits of accomplishment. In this story social staus was used to show that happyness does not come with money, it comes from within. It took Joshua Norton's insanity to make him content and happy.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to write about The Optic Nerve comic. This comic stood out the most to me; I found it interesting and humorous. The overall theme to me seemed to be how the lack of communication can destroy a relationship. Also how trying to incorporate the American Dream as far as working in ones life can be troublesome. The Asian guy tries to do work even at home and the girl does communicate with him which results in the failure of the relationship. Basically the whole comic is about the troubled sex-life of a confused, obsessive, Asian-American couple and the guy is searching for the perfect girl.
ReplyDeleteThe story that appealed most to me, was The Optic Nerve comic. Out of all comics read, this story seemed the most intersting. The main theme seemed to focus on a particular Asian American couple going through relationship troubles. Even though this particular relationship, is not an "American Dream" it ties it to the asian guy dream of having a typical western girl.
ReplyDeleteThe story that I enjoyed the most was Local. I work in a pharmacy and I have witnessed a few customers trying to pull the same scams that she did. My pharmacist actually has to go to court to testify against a customer that brought in a fake prescription. I like the way the story gives several different endings that could have happened. In the end, she seems to have made the best choice for herself. She made the decision to leave a verbally abusive boyfriend and get on with her life. In the long run she will probably be much happier and hopefully find someone that will treat her right.
ReplyDeleteDork Number Seven provides an interesting look into one particular comic book creator’s coming to grip with the real world and the success that is pushing him out into it. Confessing to the reader that he was raised by media and was absent a father figure in his life to guide him, he offers a background for the causes of his mental breakdowns. The absurd story lines which throughout the comic interrupt his introspective auto-biographical story, together with his recognition that what haunts him is largely a non-issue comparatively speaking, show that though he may still struggle with his own problems he will not let those problems keep him from his work. At the heart of this story, I see a theme of a maladjusted man’s coming to grip with reality.
ReplyDelete-James Barthel
The Severance Package is my chosen story. The story shows how living one dream and fulfilling that dream wind up destroying the dreams and lives of others. A man merely wanting whats best for his family was betrayed by a man doing whats best for his city.
ReplyDeleteThe Sandman is my chosen story. The theme of the story is basically the struggles a person can go through trying to live there idea of the American Dream. It shows how great life can be when you accomplish a goal towards your dream but also the feeling of sorrow that comes with failure. I like how Joshua Norton used a wealthy man in the story to show how even when you have money it doesnt mean you have happiness
ReplyDeleteThe Sandman
ReplyDeleteI chose this comic because it shows how many different struggles can come along and try to take this so called American dream away. Also, another reason why I chose this comic is because Joshua Norton's Dream is similar to many americans dream which is to be wealthy and secure and have no worries. This story depicts different aspects that are the hardest to overcome when trying to achieve your or in this case Joshua Norton's American Dream.
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ReplyDeleteEric said...
ReplyDeleteI am going to be writing my paper on the stories OPTIC NERVE & SANDMAN, i am choosing these stories because personally i enjoyed reading both of these more than the others.
Theme:---Optic nerve: in this story i feel as though the theme is of dysfunction , complacency, not going above and beyond, not working harder than neccessary to reach your goals.
Sandman: in this story i think the theme is one of humbleness, as well as, the ability to ward off overwhelming feelings of lust,greed, disapproval, and insanity.
I have decided to write about "Sandman" and "Local". The theme of "Sandman" is that having a dream gives one purpose. It is not merely a dream actualized that gives one the strength but the dream (delusion) itself. The Local shows the American locus of control through well thought out and perfectly executed freedom of choice. The idea that we can just decide what we want and then make it so. The American Dream (ones goals) that we make for ourselves keeps us going. Most never reach their goals or they reach them only to make new ones. The fallacy of the American Dream and how it is used to strengthen our resolve is my direction for this paper.
ReplyDeleteI will be writing my paper about 100 Bullets. The idea that Joe Dimaggio killed JFK out of revenge for the death of Marilyn Monroe is facinating. The themes of content(on the part of Joe) and desire for fame(on the part of Marylin Monroe) are what I will be exploring, specifically how it was Marilyn's desire for fame that ultimately led to her death.
ReplyDeleteT Gordon
I've decided to write about Preacher and Sandman. For the Preacher, I want to talk about the different views on the American dream. And Sandman talks about how anyone's dream can be achieved given enough willpower.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to talk about the foreign and native views of the American Dream. How foreigners think about America being the Land of Opportunity but natives views have changed over the years about America.