Journal #16

Thought provoking questions:

1) Is Camus racist through his descriptions of the "Arabs" at the beach?
2) What significance does Raymond have in regards to the theme Camus attempts to illustrate?
3) Does the robotic lady signify a more extreme Meursault? (43). If not, what does she signify?
4) What led to Meursault's view on life? How did his experience in school change his past perspective? (41).
5) Why does Camus have Meursault call his mother "Maman" and an Arab prisoner do the same? (76).
6) What significance does the article about the Czechoslovakian have in regards to the theme?

Replies:

Andy Luu #5 - Camus utilizes the "robotic lady" in order to provide a contrast to Meursault. Camus attempts to distinguish the difference between Meursault's indifference and voluntary routine and the robotic lady's involuntary and programmed life.

Anthony Nguyen #2 - Camus utilizes the indifference of the character, Meursault, in order to examine the "absurd." His "irrational" priority of physical impulses ultimately free him from the symbolic imprisonment of society.

Ivan Kallevig #2 - Through the structure of two parts, Camus follows the same philosophy by having Meursault awkwardly operate within society's boundaries in part one. The second part is used to demonstrate how Meursault ultimately transcends society's symbolic imprisonment.

Isabel Harger #5 - Meursault utilizes the absurdity of the trial, society's way of judging Meursault, as a method to show Meursault's transcendence from society's symbolic imprisonment.

Shannon Graham #1 - Camus describes the Arabs with little detail to illustrate the French society's racist perceptions of Arabs at the same.

Journal #15

        Camus decides to split The Stranger into two parts because he wanted to identify the two significant "modes" of Meursault's life. In Part One, Meursault is honest to himself, indifferent, and nonjudgmental. In Part Two, these characteristics are not dependent on him or his nature. He's the object and it's society's turn to judge him in the form of the trial.
        I believe that Camus also parallels these two parts by illustrating the similarities in Meursault's life pre and post-murder. Meursault's strange attraction to patterns and repetition is shown in Part One when he describes how "[t]here was a stack of freight invoices that had piled up on my desk, and I had to go through them all. Before leaving the office to go to lunch, I washed my hands. I don't really like doing this at lunchtime" (25). Meursault expresses this cycle of actions he goes through and although he doesn't like doing it, he still follows his pattern. Likewise, in Part Two, Meursault's time in jail leads to his life becoming "the same unending day that was unfolding in [his] cell" (Camus 80). Meursault's pattern of his recreational walks and thinking time in his cell and other things show how even within his cell, Meursault is still following a repetitious lifestyle. Camus illustrates this parallel in order to show how Meursault is still the same character.

Another parallel that occurs between the two parts is the continuation of Meursault's priority of physical needs over his personal feelings. An example of this in Part One, when Meursault's physical need of sleep overpowers his desire to stay awake. This is evident when "the smell of gasoline, the glare of the bumpy road" cause Meursault to "doze off" (4). Meursault's experiences with Marie also demonstrate how he disregards his personal feelings for the sexual thrill he feels with Marie. This is significant in Part Two as Meursault tells the reader exactly what they've been suspecting for half of the book. He says that "[his] nature was such that [his] physical needs often got in the way of [his] feelings" (65). He understands how to play society's game, but he still allows physical discomfort to guide his actions as the magistrate questions him. He realizes that he must answer intelligently, but ultimately tells the magistrate that "[he] felt kind of annoyed" in order to escape from the heat (70).

Sidenote - On page 76, an Arab says, "Goodbye, Maman." Does this mean that Meursault DID love his mother? Maman wasn't the name of his mother, but an affectionate Arab term for "mother". Maybe Camus was either showing how Meursault was similar to the Arabs or how race wasn't the reason for the other Arab's death. Cool beans.

Journal #14

6 insightful questions about Chapter 6:

1) Does Camus's representation of Arabs peg him as racist?
2) Why does Camus go through the effort of describing Masson?
3) Does Raymond play the role of Camus?
4) Why does the glare of the sun bother Meursault, but not the sun itself?
5) Why does Meursault shoot the Arab multiple times?
6) Why does Meursault's head throb during "important" moments? (mother's funeral/shooting of the Arab)

Journal #13

Separationism


Separationism is a philosophy of life. The broad interpretation of this is isolation for success. The point of life is to be happy. This is defined by a person's perception of the idea. The idea of separationism creates a path for individuals to be happy. Individuals, in order to be happy, must be able to achieve success independently and without the help of others. The path is gloomy and depressing, but the philosopher who created it believes it is just a realistic way to look at things.

Guiding principles

• Do not rely on anyone else other than yourself.

This principle was developed during high school. This is important because why would one depend on others and not have them follow through when one could do it themselves?

• Help others to help others. There is no ulterior motive.

This principle was a virtue instilled by my parents. This is important because being nice never hurt anyone. Not depending on others does not mean you cannot be dependable.

• Always aim higher than what is to be expected.

This principle's origins are unknown. This principle is important because if you aim high and work for that goal, chances are that even if you don't achieve your goal, you'll land somewhere very close to it. 

• Fear of failure should not act as a deterrence for anything.

This principle originates from personal experiences of trying out new things. This is important because if you don't try new things out because you're scared of failing, you won't ever know if you can do it or not.

• Make yourself positively unique.

This principle's origins are unknown. They may have developed over the years, but its importance comes from the fact that staying with the crowd does not get one noticed. Getting noticed is different from relying on others to achieve success.

• When possible, work smarter, not harder.

The principle originates from personal experience. This is important because time is limited. Deciding on the best plan of action saves time and effort, giving more time to focus on larger tasks.

• Never quit. Someone is always working longer and harder.

The principle is a virtue instill by family members. Being complacent opens the door for others to surpass you.

• Everything's relative, including success and happiness.

This principle originated from personal experience. It filters out others who may not believe in the philosophy because some might perceive working with others as something that makes them happy.

Journal #12

Part one: According to your work today in class, which translator would you argue has the most literary value and why? What elements of the text are you valuing by the decision you made? 

I believe that it is reasonable to defend that Ward's translation retains the most literary value because I believe that Gilbert's translation is just too bogged down with descriptions. Based the classroom activity, Gilbert's translation does not seem to encompass the message that Camus was trying to send. The element in the text that I value based on my decision is the characterization of Meursault. By having more "fluffy" language in Gilbert's translation, the reader is not able to see the world through Meursault's eyes like I believe Camus wants us to. Camus MIGHT HAVE wanted the reader to see the world a lot more descriptively, but from what I have read, this is not the case. I believe that The Stranger is a very concise novel, and Ward captures this goal the best.

Part two: According to the above meanings for the work "e'tranger", what title would you assign the English translation of the text and why. Go as far as to cite specific examples from the book that support your decision. 

I believe that "The Stranger" is a good translation of the text for a plethora of reasons. First, I think that both the translators put a lot of thought into translating the novel into English and although they differ in some situations, the agree upon "The Stranger." These translators are more qualified than I am to question their work, but I will anyway (to an extent). I actually agree with the translated title, but I also have come up with an alternative. I believe that "The Outsider" would work as a title to the story just as well, but I believe that "The Stranger" encompasses a stronger connotation with its readers while subsuming the effects of "The Outsider." I believe both of these names work because in the story Meursault shares that "[he] had the ridiculous feeling that they were there to judge [him]" while he is at his mother's funeral (Camus 10). He also shares that "[he] could feel how much all these people hated [him]" at the trial (Camus 90). Both of these examples show how he feels isolated compared to everyone else, like an outsider. However, a stranger also has no connection to a group of people/things, which also mean that the word "stranger" should mean outsider. The connotation with the word "stranger" is one of difference and uniqueness, something that "outsider" does not provide. This creates a perception where the reader goes into the story expecting something weird. However, I don't think that the title should have great significance because you should never judge a book by its cover.

Journal #11

Explain how you are tabbing The Stranger, written by Albert Camus.

I decided to be more specific when tabbing this time so I chose

blue for symbols and motifs, specifically those that relate to self-indulgence, i.e. smoking, sex, sleeping. (More will be added to the list as necessary)

green for anything that may signal possible themes, like Meursault's unusual appreciation for the naturalness/physical details. (More themes will be added to the list)

orange for figurative language/syntax/diction, i.e. repeating phrases, parallelism, narrative voice.

pink for characterization, specifically when Meursault feels indifferent towards anything or when he expresses an idea regarding society.

Journal #10

Identify a theme. Be sure your theme is something that you can commit to writing your own vignette around. Make a list of quotes that inform that theme. Be sure to record the page number and take note of any techniques and or elements present within the quote.

Theme: Individuals who attempt to further their societal standings through the system of capitalism always end up isolating themselves though their actions.
   Possible problems:
  1) Is it too broad when I say "their actions"?
  2) Does the theme make sense?
  3) What could I specify?

1) "If you don't want him, you sho oughta. Heah you is wid de onliest organ in town, amongst colored folks, in yo' parlor. Got a house bought and paid for and sixty acres uh land right on de big road and . . . Lawd have mussy! Dat's de very prong all us black women gits hung on" (23).

Nanny wishes for a better life for Janie through a capitalistic viewpoint. The rest of the passage is a juxtaposition of Nanny's hopes and Janie's desires.

2) "One morning soon he called her out of the kitchen to the barn. he had the mule all saddled at the gate.
     'Looka heah, LilBit, help me out some. Cut up dese seed taters fuh me. Ah got tuh go step off a piece.'
     'Where you goin'?'
     'Over tuh Lake City tuh see uh man about uh mule.'
     'Whut you need two mules fuh? lessen you aims to swap off dis one.'
     'Naw, Ah needs two mules dis yeah. Taters is goin' tuh be taters in de fall. Brinin' big prices. Ah aims tuh run two plows and dis man Ah'm talkin' 'bout is got uh mule all gentled up so even uh woman kin handle 'im'" (26-27).

Hurston's use of dialogue ties Logan into the theme of capitalism. He is a prime example of capitalism when he says he is going to invest in another mule in order to make more money. Logan doesn't love Janie and refers to her as LilBit, showing that he only wants her to advance his societal position as a farmer.

3) "Joe Starks was the name, yeah Joe Starks from in and through Georgy. Been workin' for white folks all his life. Saved up some money-round three hundred dollars, yes indeed, right here in his pocket. Dept hearin' 'bout them buildin' a new state down heah in Floridy and sort of wanted to come. But he was makin' money where he was. But when he heard all about 'em makin' a town all outa colored folks, he knows dat was de place where he wanted to be. He had always wanted to be a big voice, but de white folks had all de sayso where he come from and everywhere else, exceptin' dis place dat colored folks was buildin' theirselves. Dat was right too. De man dat built things oughta boss it" (28).

Motif of circles in which Jody repeats the cycle of oppression in order to advance himself in society. He was lorded over by the white folk in his old town so he jumps on the chance to be able to lord over the blacks in the new town.

4) "'You'se always off talkin' and fixin' things, and Ah feels lak Ah'm jus' markin' time. Hope it soon gits over.'
      'Over, Janie? I god, Ah ain't even started good. Ah told you in de very first beginnin' dat Ah aimed tuh be uh big voice. You oughta be glad, 'cause dat makes uh big woman outa you.'
      A feeling of coldness and fear took hold of her. She felt far away from things and lonely.
      Janie soon began to feel the impact of awe and envy against her sensibilities. The wife of the Mayor was not just another woman as she had supposed. She slept with authority and so she was part of it in the town mind. She couldn't get but so close to most of them in spirit." (46)

Hurston uses the pattern of coldness to describe how Jody's new found power begins to isolate himself from Janie. Janie also expresses her thoughts about how she herself begins to feel isolated because of the spillover from Jody's power.

5)"'And now we'll listen tuh uh few words uh encouragement from Mrs. Mayor Starks.'
     The burst of applause was cut short by Joe taking the floor himself.
     'Thank yuh fuh yo' compliments, but mah wife don't know nothin' 'bought no speech-makin'. Ah never married her for nothin' lak dat. She's uh woman and her place is in de home.' [...]
     But anyway, she went down the road behind him that night feeling cold. (43)

Like above, Hurston uses coldness to signify the isolation that Janie feels from Jody. In this passage, Jody takes methods from capitalism and furthers himself through the expense of other characters.

6) "There was something about Joe Starks that cowed the town. It was not because of physical fear. He was no fist fighter. His bulk was not even imposing as men go. Neither was it because he was more literate than the rest. Something else made men give way before him. He had a bow-down command in his face, and every step he took made the thing more tangible.
    Take for instance that new house of his. It had two stories with porches, with banisters and such things. The rest of the town looked like servants' quarters surrounding the "big house." And different from everybody else in the town he put off moving in until it had been painted, in and out. And look at the way he painted it- a gloaty, sparkly white" (47).

Hurston uses imagery to tie Jody's actions to those of a white man. Jody attempts to make himself out to be a very successful guy although he only achieved his success through oppression and the capitalistic system. The way in which Hurston describes the citizens' and Jody's actions show how Jody himself begins to isolate himself once he attains power.

7) She cried often in the weeks that followed. Joe got too weak to look after things and took to his bed. But he relentlessly refused to admit her to his sick room. People came and went in the house. This one and that oene came into her houe with covered plates of brroth and other sick-room dishes without taking the least notice of her as Joe's wife. people who never had known what it was to enter the gate of the Mayor's yard unless it were to do some menial job now paraded in and out as his confidants. They came to the store and ostentatiously looked over whatever she was doing and went back to report to him at the house. Said things like 'Mr. Starks need somebody tuh sorta look out for 'im till he kin git on his feet again and look for hisself' (83).

By now Jody has achieved his societal advancement but when he begins to die, the gap is power he leaves is fought for by the community. Janie, the woman gaining the most power, begins to become isolated by the community. Jody, due to his capitalistic goals, experiences the more extreme type of isolationism, death.

8) "'Honey, since you loose me and gimme privilege tuh tell yuh all about mahself, Ah'll tell yuh. You done married one uh de best gamblers God ever made. Cards or dice either one. Ah can take uh shoe string and win uh tan-yard. Wish yuh could see me rollin'. But dis time it's gointuh be nothin' but tough men's talkin' all kinds uh talk so it ain't no place for you tuh be, but 'twon't be long befo' you see me'" (125).

Tea Cake attempts to win money through gambling. He doesn't attempt to advance himself in society through capitalism, but rather he attempts to raise money for Janie and pleasure. This is different from the selfish goals of Logan/Jody. (is it really?)

9)"' Dat ain't nothin'. You ain't seen de bossman go up, is yuh? Well all right now. man, de money's too good on the muck. It's liable tuh fair off by tuhmorrer. Ah wouldn't leave if Ah wuz you'" (156).

This is when Tea Cakes gives in to capitalism and sets himself up for isolation. He disregards his and Janie's safety in order to economically advance himself. He prioritizes money over safety and for this reason, Hurston shows the reader that Tea Cake's change in mindset causes him to die.

10) "'Ah naw, honey. Ah laks it. It's mo' nicer than settin' round dese quarters all day. Clerkin' in dat store wuz hard, but heah, we ain't got nothin' tuh do but do our work and come home and love'" (133).

Hurston distinguishes Janie from the others because although Janie works, she doesn't do it to advance herself or to make money. She has money saved up in the bank already. Janie works because it allows her to be near nature and the man that she loves which doesn't lead her to the consequences of capitalism. (She ends up alone at the end) :(

Edit: Commented on Anthony Nguyen, Cara Mitchell and Sean Sakaguchi's blogs.