You’re Ugly Too : A look at and analysis of the main character, Zoe.

Greenleaf : My anger spelled out onto a blog... a look at my frustrations with Mrs. May within this story.

Here We Are : My response to a story of a newlywed couple in the 1930s. Very interesting stuff!

The Best Girlfriend You Never Had : My response to the friendship between Lucy and Leo. Also included are my responses to some of my coursemate's blogged agenda items.

Blood-Burning Moon : Within this entry I responded to Mary's question she posted in her blog.

The Half-Skinned Steer : Check out my attempt to make sense of this crazy story. Also, read the positive comments I received on this agenda item.

I Want to Live! : A more in-depth look at this story and the message it gives.

The Farmer’s Children : A response to this story and note about the farmer's wife and her role in the death of the two boys.

The Secret Life of Bees : A look at how Lily was able to grow from an abused, deprived young girl without her mother, to a strong, more independent young woman coming to terms with the past.

“Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily’s fierce-hearted black ‘stand-in-mother,’ Rosaleen, insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily decides to spring them both free. They escape to Tiburon, South Carolina—a town that holds the secret to her mother’s past. Taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters, Lily is introduced to their mesmerizing world of bees and honey, and the Black Madonna. This is a remarkable novel about divine female power, a story that women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come.” This story holds a message for just about anyone. Through Lily’s trials and triumphs, happiness and justice is served and hope is restored within the reader for a brighter future. I would definitely recommend this novel to others.

“O Rose, thou art sick!
The invisible worm,
That flies in the night,
In the howling storm,
Has found out thy bed
Of crimson joy,
And his dark secret love
Does thy life destroy.”

This was a passage Lily came across in her mother’s book by William Blake. It had been underlined. Lily closed the book and wanted the words to roll off of her, but they had stuck. “I wanted nothing so much as to tell her how sorry I was for being one of the invisible worms that flew in the night.” Lily’s feelings of guilt, loneliness, and despair were rooted in her mother’s death. To make matters worse, T.Ray, her father, was physically and mentally abusive. He refused to nurture or support Lily through her upbringing, something she so desperately longed for and needed.

“A queenless colony is a pitiful and melancholy community; there may be a mournful wail or lament from within… Without intervention, the colony will die. But introduce a new queen and the most extravagant change takes place.” This introduction to chapter fourteen beautifully demonstrates the loss of Lily’s mother and May. Lily probably would have not been alright if she had stayed with T.Ray all of the time. By meeting the sisters, Lily found acceptance, love, and truth. She found closure to her mother’s death and freedom from T.Ray. An amazing change has taken place at the end of the novel when Lily almost becomes her mother… she has grown tremendously and will persevere as a young woman should.

I really don’t know what to make of this story. I am mostly angry at the stepmother, for being so inattentive and uncaring to her husband’s children (from his previous marriage), Cato and Emerson. Why would she put an extra blanket over her own children who were sleeping comfortably inside and not even acknowledge the two boys who were forced to sleep outside in the barn on a freezing winter night?! “The first wife had been the daughter of a minister, a plain and simple woman who had named her sons Cato and Emerson; while the stepmother, being romantic and overgenerous, to her own children at least, had given them the names of Lea Leola, Rosina, and Gracie Bell.”
This story was published in 1949, and perhaps the stepmother was bitter towards her husband’s former marriage, and thus, refused to acknowledge and properly care for his children. Remarriage wasn't as prominent in those days, and perhaps the stepmother held resent towards her husband's children. It is a shame that these two young boys died as a result of her bitterness and inability to let go of the past.

This was a truly eye-opening and touching story. After reading about Mrs. Wilson’s battle with cancer and approaching death, it just makes you want to live and enjoy life. So many passages stood out to me within this story.

“One afternoon after he left for work, she found a passage circled in his well-worn copy of Schopenhauer: ‘In early youth, as we contemplate our coming life, we are like children in a theater before the curtain is raised, sitting there in high spirits and eagerly waiting for the play to begin. It is a blessing that we do not know what is really going to happen.’”

As Mrs. Wilson found absolute truth and brilliance within this bit of philosophy, so do I. Life is a blessing given to us, and it is better to be lived unknowing of the future that lies ahead. I found this beautiful. “With Schopenhauer she could take long excursions from the grim specter of impending death. In Schopenhauer, particularly in his aphorisms and reflections, she found an absolute satisfaction, for Schopenhauer spoke the truth and the rest of the world was disseminating lies!”

“The son-in-law took antidepressants and claimed to be a melancholiac, yet he always seemed upbeat, comical, ready with a laugh. He had a sense of the absurd that she had found annoying back in the old days when she liked to pretend that life was a stroll down Primrose Lane.”

When friends visited with her before her death, Mrs. Wilson saw the love and affection they had for her. “They loved her, truly they did. She could see it. You couldn’t bullshit her anymore; she could see deep into the human heart; she knew what people were…”

I found it particularly interesting that as Mrs. Wilson approached her death that she so desperately wanted to avoid, she could see the truths and importance of life. It bothered her that everyone else was worried with trivial, meaningless things.

“The main players were assembled in the room. She… was nodding in and out but she could hear. There she was, in this apparent stupor, but she was more aware than anyone could know. She heard someone say somebody at McDonald’s put ‘everything’ on her hamburger instead of ‘cheese and ketchup only.’ They were making an issue out of it. One day, when they were in her shoes, they would learn to ignore this kind of petty stuff, but you couldn’t blame them. That was how things were, that’s all. Life. That was it. That was what it was. And here she lay… dying.”

This passage really hit home for me. While I can admit to taking life for granted and “sweating the small stuff,” I really can see the truth in what Mrs. Wilson is saying as she laid lying. What I can take from this story is a positive lesson and a reminder to make the most of everyday, and not stress or dwell on the negative. As Mrs. Wilson’s son-in-law seemed to be so happy, intelligent, and understanding of life, he also took anti-depressants. From Mrs. Wilson’s eyes, it really is relevant to today, as so many people really have everything going for them, but yet cannot get by without drugs like these. This story let me analyze how people really are in life… and how clear things become at the time leading up to death. We never know when our time will come, so value every moment and live! Live… just as Mrs. Wilson and so many unfortunate others who have passed only wish they had the chance to do!

Jerz: Am Lit II (EL 267): Proulx, ''The Half-Skinned Steer''

Jerz: Am Lit II (EL 267): Toomer, ''Blood-Burning Moon''

Moira stated in her blog that this one passage is enough to sum up the story, and I completely agree: “You might forget, for example, that you live in a city where people have so many choices they throw words away, or so few they will bleed in your car for a hundred dollars. You might forget eleven or maybe twelve of the sixteen-in-a-row totaled cars. You might forget that you never expected to be alone at thirty-two or that a crazy man might be waiting for you with a gun when you get home tonight or that all the people you know - without exception - have their hearts wrapped around someone who won't ever love them back."
Even more, she said, “perhaps even, if you are feeling generous, the (dum dum dum) Meaning of Life.” I love it! This is so true! Moira said, “I guess the best that you can ever hope for is to get so absorbed in actually living your life that you manage to push all the crappy stuff about life to the wayside. When my best friend and I were talking about life the other day, I said to her that I felt the only way that life becomes bearable is if you realize that you will never understand anything and that everything always changes. If you can deal with those two things, you can deal with the rest of your life.” I feel that there is so much truth within that statement. Awesome blog, Moira.

I was saddened by Lucy’s story of the time she brought her boyfriend, Jeffrey (of whom she wanted to marry) home to her parents. She asked her father how he liked Jeffrey only for him to reply with, “Lucille, I haven’t ever liked any of your boyfriends, and I don’t expect I ever will. So why don’t you save us both the embarrassment and not ask again?” There is no doubt that these memories have scarred Lucy. Something I really liked about the story was its unorganized choppiness. I think it also helps to show how these past memories and stories play a part in our everyday life. Lucy and Leo liked to tell stories to each other. But these stories, especially Lucy’s stories regarding her family, make her who she is to a great extent. Lucy is scared, as she admits to Leo twice in the story. As I would have loved to see the two get together and take a chance at something beyond friendship, Leo seems very hesitant to let it go any further. He is in the same position as Lucy, as well as so many others, loving someone who will never love you back (as with Guinevere and his cardiologist girlfriend). The beginning of the story beautifully described: romantic, sensual, honest… Quickly the theme of marriage was thrown in as Lucy and Leo watched the groom and bride kiss:
“Sucker,” Leo says.
“Oh, right,” I say. “Like you wouldn’t trade your life for his right this minute.”
But truthfully, Lucy and Leo both want the same thing… a serious commitment and love ~ love that is not only given but received. I suppose this story had a bit of a depressing element to it. But it can help the reader see that you need to take chances and break away from your upbringing and past relationships to secure true love. There I go, showing my dorkiness… I always find a way to make a connection to my life with the stories I read.

Jerz: Am Lit II (EL 267): Houston, "The Best Girlfriend You Never Had"

There is a lot of jealousy and mistrust between the two, and if this had been written in present day, I’m sure this marriage would be one that ends in divorce. It seems very trivial that she questions the man she just married about looking at one of the bridesmaids…! But this could just be the sexual tension and fear building up.

However, when considering the time of publication, it is quite possible new marriages began this way… with a reassurance of “Here we are… finally married and at the long-awaited honeymoon night.” While this would naturally bring happiness, joy, and relief, it also comes with nervousness, doubt, and uncertainty. After all, sex is important within a relationship. Making the life-long commitment to whom you know so much about but yet are completely unaware of how they will be in “that department” could cause some serious anxiety on a newlywed.

Today I feel that a lot of people marry for the wrong reasons, but also more couples are living together before tying the knot and engaging in premarital sex. Times are always changing… but it is interesting to read “Here We Are,” the tension was undeniable. Is the lack of intimacy and openness about it a good or bad thing? It seems unheard of today, but the newlyweds seemed very nervous about what was to come. I saw a lot of beauty within it, but also unanswered questions… most likely that would be answered throughout years of marriage and unconditional love. After all, I believe true love conquers all… marriage can be a beautiful and life-long commitment that representing many things, such as: monogamy, respect, friendship, acceptance, and love for one another. On a side note, I feel that the promiscuity and numerous premarital sexual relations are a fault on our society. Of course human beings have certain desires, but one of the greatest gifts of marriage is saving yourself for your mate. I found “Here We Are” to express so much beauty, sacrifice, and simplicity. It enables the reader to put themselves into the young couple’s place… to the excitement that comes with the wedding ceremony and anticipation to not only the honeymoon but the rest of their lives together and the many endless possibilities. ;)

Jerz: Am Lit II (EL 267): Parker, “Here We Are”

When first introduced, Mrs. May was struggling with the conflict of the bull outside of her home, eating away at her home, but she refused to call Mr. Greenleaf, which I can understand was probably easier because his spoken English and manners need a lot of work. “Weighing it, she (Mrs. May) decided not to bother Mr. Greenleaf. She returned to bed thinking that if the Greenleaf boys had risen in the world it was because she had given their father employment when no one else would have him. She had had Mr. Greenleaf for fifteen years but no one else would have had him five minutes…”

While at first I believed her heart was in the right place (particularly because of her sacrifices for others – the Greenleaf boys), Mrs. May continues throughout the story to criticize everyone – Mr. and Mrs. Greenleaf and their sons, as well as her own sons. She is a very negative individual and finds happiness in other people’s unhappiness. Perhaps she needs to do some form of “prayer healing,” like Mrs. Greenleaf. Wesley made a great point when he told his mother that “the reason Mrs. Greenleaf had not aged was because she released all her emotions in prayer healing.” Despite her lack of cleanliness and poor physical appearance, Mrs. Greenleaf was definitely much happier and less angry than Mrs. May.

There was a great use of foreshadowing within this story. I believe it also teaches a lesson. Mrs. May had a problem with dealing with issues from the beginning. Rather than go to the source of the problem, she continued to complain and argue. This just caused more stress and unhappiness. She lived a life filled with reasons of why she did the things she had done (such as stay on the farm to make something out of it – despite everyone telling her she would be a failure).

Mrs. May also liked to criticize others and be jealous for their achievements (such as with the Greenleaf sons who had done nothing to receive the better things in life – as a result of injuries from serving in the war). It seems to me that she got what was needed in the end, because she would have never been happy with her life, as long as others were around her to criticize and try to feel superior to.

This story began and had a way of making you sympathize for Mrs. May, but through her deviance and thoughts filled with hatred, one learns she is no better than anyone else, and in fact, like a poison for everyone around her. This is especially seen as she smiles in the car before Mr. Greenleaf was to shoot the bull. She loved feeling in control and knowing that he would have to do something he absolutely hated. I received a story of morale from Mrs. May in that complaining about and criticizing everyone/thing in life will only leave you miserable and left alone to die with no one to care. A pessimistic attitude can consume you… and then it is too late. It reminds me of a great quote that I feel people should remember and incorporate into their daily lives…

“Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”

Jerz: Am Lit II (EL 267): O’Connor, “Greenleaf”

On Tammy's blog, Moira posted a great comment:
“Oooh! You wrote: "It makes you look at how we respond to people and how we put our own feelings out there and build a wall without knowing we are doing it." That is a great point! That's something that we do pretty much subconsciously, not really realizing that our doing that -is- affecting and creating the world around us. I guess that trick is to become aware of your own devices and work to conquer them. You've got me thinking... sweet! ;c)

I totally agree with Moira. It is very true that Zoë’s behavior and interaction (or lack of) with others just encouraged a life filled with unhappiness and regret. If she does not change the way she views herself and others, she will not sustain a healthy relationship.

Jerz: Am Lit II (EL 267): Moore, "You're Ugly, Too"

"An online diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page; also called Weblog, Web log. Typically updated daily, blogs often reflect the personality of the author." OR "A shared on-line journal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences and hobbies."

So for those of you who are not familiar with this ever-growing phenomenon, welcome to a blog portfolio of a Seton Hill University student who is becoming more addicted with every passing day.

This site allows you to access some of my best blogged ideas and criticisms to the writings discussed in the American Literature 1915-present course with instructor, Dr. Dennis Jerz.

Although I am not an English major, I can reflect upon my ability to critically analyze and respond to various literary works. These may include, but are not limited to: short stories, novels, poems, dissertations, commentaries, and other literary works. From time to time, you may also find blogs which are non-academic, but there simply for reading entertainment and fun.

I am proud of my work in this course, and am becoming more involved in blogging with my fellow course mates. As I began the course, I was receiving little to no feedback/comments from my course mates, but as I become more involved by commenting on other blogs, I have been very pleased by the results it has had ~ more comments on my blogged agenda items.

I would like to extend a sincere "thank you" to Dr. Jerz for introducing me to this new concept of "blogging" that allows me to discuss literary works and other topics with my peers. As technology continues to grow, blogging is a very important tool to incorporate into the classroom. With a course that deals with discussing literary works, it is almost imperative to use such a method of communication outside of class that ensures the works are adequately covered. Time allotted during class time is simply not sufficient to cover everything needed to become involved with the texts.

As we move towards Spring Break, I look forward to the second half of the semester as becoming a more productive and involved blogger with my American Lit class!

So... without further explanation, this is my first set of blogs that were created to help become better understood with my American Literature course with Dr. Jerz. They may not look like much, but they are Introductory. As the semester continues, I will become more comfortable and explorative with my blogging of agenda items. Stay posted for updates! :)

THE GREAT GATSBY : This is my second blog ever. This is the blog that I prepared after finishing the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby. I argued that Gatsby was, indeed, a great man. This was my honest opinion and I backed up my claim with some evidence from the novel itself. Some controversy over Gatsby's "Greatness" rose during following class discussions. This is one of my earliest blogs, and one can see that I was a bit more succinct than in some of my later blogging assignments. From this blog, I received some course mate feedback regarding Daisy and Gatsby's relationship. Still new to blogging, I was slow in checking back and failed to reply back to their comments.

MACHINAL: This blog demonstrates my ability to not only comment about the play, but also use some of my personal opinions and life experience to better understand where the young woman stood in her life. This story posed some serious questions, which I wish I could have better covered within my blog. This may have been what was needed to produce some discussion among my classmates regarding the play. Unfortunately, no comments were given on this blog.

DADDY: In my opinion, this is my best blogging work to date. I felt strongly about this poem, and it shows because I took it upon myself to not just accept the poem for face-value, but I wanted to see what the author, Sylvia Plath, was really saying. My interest sparked curiosity regarding Plath's background and I learned the poem didn't fit with what others were saying. Within this entry are numerous comments regarding my interpretation and even some doubts from fellow course mates. I was very prompt to reply back to the comments received, and offered answers to questions that were asked. This is the type of blogging that is fun and helps you to learn. This is the blogging style I wish to create in all future assignments ~ where people question and argue facts and ideas. That makes for more interesting blogging, than the dry, boring entries I was better used to writing. I am proud of my efforts with this blog, and I feel that it created a successful discussion in which I was able to teach a thing or two to others about the author's life and open the poem up in a different direction.

Hart Crane and David Lehman: This was an attempt to create similarities to Crane's "To Brooklyn Bridge" and Lehman's "The World Trade Center." Crane's poem celebrated New York City's Brooklyn Bridge, which was an architectural accomplishment for the time. A link is given that supplies a brief history of the bridge's construction, as well as tourist information and relevant facts concerning the well-known NYC Bridge.
Lehman's "The World Trade Center", written in 1996, is a very powerful and honest depiction about the New York City twin towers. Lehman states that he, as well as many other New Yorkers did not like the towers until a bombing occurred within, thus, helping people to change their views of the towers. They stood for an image of liberty. My blog also examined the poem in light of more recent events, September 11, 2001. I learned a few things from this poem, such as that it had been attacked before, and that people did not particularly like the World Trade Center. This poem carries a different meaning now than it did in 1996, because of later events. The World Trade Center no longer stands tall in New York City, but the feelings towards it are expressed within this poem.

Examples of my Xenoblogging (the word Dr. Jerz cleverly coined to mean: "the work that we do that helps other people's weblogs")...

Maggi Quinlan: One of my first comments. This shows my earlier efforts to comment and give some feedback on a peer's blog. This is a good example of an earlier form of "xenoblogging" because rather than bring up an issue to be further discussed, I commented that she made some great points, including one that I thought was excellent ~ a view I hadn't noticed within the novel "The Great Gatsby." Even more, I felt comfortable commenting on Maggi's page because she is a friend of mine. As time progressed, I began to read the blogs of classmates I was less familiar with, but engaged in discussion regarding some literary works.

Maggi Quinlan: Another comment to a familiar peer. This is another example of how I was a bit hesitant to comment on classmates who I didn't know very well. Again, it demonstrated my opinion, somewhat contrasting, to Maggi's regarding Nick Carraway.

John Haddad: Comment to praise his oral presentation in class and reaffirm my contrasting opinion in Gatsby’s Greatness. This is a bit of a transition to my xenoblogging, because I commented on a classmate who I was not familiar with and posed a more thoughtful response to his post.

Mary Anderson: Comment to a stranger's blog. This is a transition because I have never talked to Mary one-on-one before. I was interested in what she may be thinking because she had made some good comments in class discussions. I was disappointed that she didn't follow-up on my comment, but at least I am trying to contact other people in the class!

What I have learned from looking back on my Xenoblogging:
I need to become more familiar with the blogs of other course mates. This is extremely beneficial, not only to myself, but to them as well. It helps me to see their perspectives on the literary works we are studying. I may gain a better understanding because of their insight, or perhaps begin a discussion that ultimately brings new ideas to light and/or helps reaffirm and argue our interpretations. An open mind to new ideas is always good to have when studying American literature. Additionally, xenoblogging is beneficial to the other person because it creates feedback to their ideas. What fun is it to blog if no one ever leaves suggestions or ideas? A blog can be a very fun experience, especially if dialogue is encouraged within.

So… there is a summary of the contents of my blog. I hope you have found it interesting and thought-provoking. I am looking forward to much more blogging in the future, to better myself as a student studying American Literature, and to engage in relevant discussion with my peers.

Although I have not yet been to New York, I have always thought the Brooklyn Bridge to be significant. If you are interested in seeing what is so special about it, this is a current NYC attraction site to the Brooklyn Bridge. It includes a lot of great information and gives you a sense of the views you can see from it.

"When it was completed in May 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the largest suspension bridge in the world. It is considered one of the greatest architectural accomplishments of the nineteenth century, and is, in fact, a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark." There is a lot of historical information regarding the bridge, and after reading it, I can see why Crane chose to focus on it. This was a great achievement to the Industrial period and seemed to watch over the city. Crane's imagery and personification of the bridge comes alive in this poem. It also gives the bridge a sense of Liberty... the Brooklyn Bridge reflects hard work and accomplishment for America during a time of change.

David Lehman's poem definitely hit home for me, as well as many of my classmates. Every American can probably feel the significance of this writing after the events of September 11, 2001. Although this had been written years before the attacks, Lehman is honest to tell his feelings about the towers before the 1996 bombing. "I never liked the World Trade Center. When it went up I talked it down, as did many other New Yorkers. The twin towers were ugly monoliths that lacked the details the ornament the character of the Empire State Building and especially the Chrysler Building, everyone's favorite..." "The World Trade Center was an example of what was wrong with American architecture, and it stayed that way for twenty-five years until that Friday afternoon in February..."

I had never known New Yorkers to be appalled by the Twin Towers architecture and height before reading this. The bombing made the World Trade Center "a great symbol of America, like the Statue of Liberty." This is how attacks on our country bring people together and show our love for our surroundings. Although one can argue that the towers were "ugly monoliths" that "lacked the details, ornament, and character" of surrounding buildings, it is within our great country and the attack caused Lehman, and probably many others, to view it differently.

This poem has probably grown in popularity since the attack on September 11, and it now carries more meaning (for me) than if I had read it before. Although Lehman had no way of knowing what would ultimately happen to the World Trade Center, it is quite interesting how later events shape older writings, such as this one. I am glad that the unfortunate 1996 bombings made people appreciate the twin towers, for they would only stand in the city for several more years.

Upon the very first time of reading Sylvia Plath’s "Daddy,” I was shocked and also rather confused as to the direction of her poem. However, some obvious struggles were found within. It is well-known that Plath struggled in her life with mental illness and suicide attempts...

Many of my classmates assume that Plath hated her father. However, there is no direct reference that she hates him. Rather I think that she feels abandoned, alone, isolated. Her father died before she was ready – “Daddy, I have had to kill you. You died before I had time--.” She is saying that she must erase his memory and finally move on with her life because she was too young when he died. Plath’s struggle to deal with her father’s death appropriately was a major grievance in her life. Wouldn’t most young children probably feel the same way if a parent had died at this age? This is a traumatic event that is not fully understood until years later. It doesn’t shock me that she would feel trapped and try to commit suicide several times (especially given the mental illness).

A major recurring reference in her poem is with the Holocaust and Germans. I read that her father was a German, but not a Nazi. Of everything I have read about Plath’s biography, never once did I read that she was Jewish or suffered in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. However, it was occurring within the same time period. I think that Plath was comparing herself to a Jew (during that time) – victimized, alone, scared, trapped. “I think I may well be a Jew,” “I may be a bit of a Jew.” That may be a big stretch, and in some ways I would disagree that it is wrong to compare oneself to a concentration camp victim, but it is relevant to the time she lived and was writing.

Ted Hughes, Plath’s husband for seven years, is also written about in this poem. Plath writes, “Bit my pretty red heart in two.” This doesn’t seem to fit with the memory of her father… but a lover.

“I was ten when they buried you. At twenty I tried to die and get back, back, back to you. I thought even the bones would do. But they pulled me out of the sack, and they stuck me together with glue. And then I knew what to do. I made a model of you, a man in black with a Meinkampf look.” In this stanza, I believe Plath is confessing that at twenty she tried to commit suicide, in an attempt to get back to her father (showing her love for him), but she survived. She then decided she had to make a “model” of her father… her husband, whom in the next stanza says, “And I said, I do, I do.” This announces her marriage to Hughes. However, Platt describes him as a “brute,” “devil,” and “vampire.”

There are some things that are not clear to me within this poem, but I definitely feel that Plath is speaking of both her father and husband. She seems to have some repressed feelings towards her father’s death, but genuine anger and hurt toward her husband’s infidelity.

“If I’ve killed one man, I’ve killed two – The vampire who said he was you and drank my blood for a year, Seven years, if you want to know Daddy, you can lie back now.” This is symbolic, because Plath is killing, or letting go of, not only her father’s memory but also her husband who has been unfaithful. In the last line, then, it seems relevant that Plath is speaking about her husband… “Daddy, daddy, you bastard, I’m through.”

Hughes was having an affair during his marriage to Plath and this poem was written at the time that he left her. About three months later, Plath was successful in committing suicide.

As a young woman and feminist, I could not help but feel sympathy for the Helen. It was clear to me that she felt she had to conform to society by getting married to her boss, of whom she had no feelings for, and quite honestly, a fear and feeling of disgust towards him. Helen's mother REALLY upset me in Episode 2. Her mother was very uninterested in her daughter's happiness. I guess because during the time she grew up it was the same way, if not worse. Women were oppressed and expected to marry, just to endure the role as housewife and mother.

Helen seemed different... she did have ambition and she searched for happiness. She wanted to learn the truth. She began to ask about her parents relationship... if her mother loved her husband (Helen's dad). And her response to this is: "I suppose I did - I don't know - I've forgotten - what difference does it make - now?" (p. 17) !!!!

That really angers and saddens me. As a woman who has fairly equal rights to men today, I cannot image how life was for these women. Women have come a LONG WAY throughout history, but I feel are still underestimated and appreciated. I may have never been able to take the injustice of Helen's time. I would be a rebel and not get married to someone just for the sake of becoming married. Today I saw a bumper sticker on a car in the Seton Hill parking lot that read, "A woman without a man is as useless as a fish without a bicycle." I couldn't help but laugh and be happy for things like that. Thank goodness we live in a time and country where women are able to have opinions, not to mention display it on their car. Geez, I'm lucky to have a driver's license.

Regardless... back to the story! :) I must say that Helen's husband was very stupid or uninformed about her feelings... she constantly complained or ignored him... she did not seem to show him affection, when she did, she seemed scared. She continually says she would like to go away - alone - without him.

I also question this "First Man" and Helen's relationship. He suggests that he has been with many women or atleast compliments them and finds them heavenly... but Helen is so soon to fall in love and want to run away with him. I am not doubting they shared something special, but she seems to fall in love the moment he compliments and sweet talks her. He represents a lot of men I find today. Definitely a sweet talker... but he does draw a line and simply answer questions in a straight forward manner at several times during the conversation.

Maybe I am sick for saying this, but I thought it was kinda sweet how she killed her husband... she used his story of how he freed himself. :)
I wish Helen could find her freedom. I agree that the emptiness felt inside so often is a missing void from within. This must be filled, not by another person, but by yourself. You need to love yourself first and be happy with who you are.

I know that in my own life I have felt incredible loneliness and an emptiness from within. I have been struggling for years with major depression and hit rock bottom MANY times. But my faith in God and prayer kept me going. Support from good friends and family also gives a lot of comfort and reassurance. This has really changed my life, but I am still on my religious journey and finding who I am. Helen is just another human being trying to find her place in the world... she is young and unwed and pressured into becoming married. She is a "good girl" and says "I do," has a child, and feels empty through a six year (?) marriage with someone she feels nothing for. I see something missing in her relationship with her mother as well. Maybe it could be because her mother never really loved her husband so she didn't really care about the child's ultimate happiness. Helen's mother's outlook on marriage is, "Love! - what does that amount to! Will it clothe you? Will it feed you? Will it pay the bills?" (p. 17) ... "I'll tell you what you can count on! You can count that you've got to eat and sleep and get up and put clothes on your back and take 'em off again - that you got to get old - and then you got to die. That's what you can count on! All the rest is in your head!" (p. 17).

Perhaps I am wrong, but isn't all the rest what is truly important?! Finding happiness and love in life... whether you become married or not! If you choose to live a "mechanical" life filled with little or no emotion (rather: a life of complete loneliness, sadness, regret, "wishing" you'd done things differently), then life is not enjoyed. I could go on and on about this... but I will just look forward to the class discussion.