“Everyday Use”- Annotation Post

Heritage is defined as “that which has been or may be inherited; any property, and esp. land, which devolves by right of inheritance”. This term plays a major role in the discussion between the mother and two daughters in the short story of “Everyday Use”. Throughout the entire play there is a debate between the true heritage of their family and the constructed idea of the oldest daughter Dee. Heritage is something that can’t be made up, it is “the fact of inheriting; inheritance, hereditary succession” from the family that you have come from. In this short story Dee does two major things that appear to be slightly disrespectful to her ancestor’s tradition. The first example is the language used by Dee which is supposed to be educated compared to Maggie and Mama. Although she is more highly educated than them she still carries herself with sort of an ignorant and superior persona. Dee truly misinterprets her heritage by embarrassing these new concepts that she has learned in school about African and Muslim culture which only disconnects her from her true family heritage. On the other hand Mama teaches Maggie the traditional upbringings, where she knows only where she comes from. Additionally when Dee announces to her mom about her changing her name and uses African language to communicate it to her. She states that “I couldn’t bare it being named after the people that oppressed me” (p.149). In other words she feels that her name was passed down to her wasn’t important enough to keep. This is a major time in the story that demonstrates that she has not only lost heritage but her herself as well. She totally forgets about the long line of women where her name comes from and picks up this African name that her mom can barely pronounce.

The second example was when the quilts came into the discussion. A large piece of their heritage goes along with those quilts that Mama wanted to give to them. These quilts were made from generations ago and passed down to them. Dee’s confusion of heritage shows when she says that the quilts shouldn’t be put into use every day while Maggie who knows how to quilt would respect the items that were passed down to her to be used. However I feel that the family heritage that was passed along within the quilts ended up in the right person hand in the end.

Works Cited

Oxford English Dictionary." Home: Oxford English Dictionary. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Sept. 2011. <http://www.oed.com/>.

The Significance of Women - Problematize Post

As a strong independent young woman I think I speak for many women when I say that women aren’t appreciated how we should be. In my opinion we are way more important than men. I also believe that without us men may not be able to survive too long. All of the readings so far in class have express at some point that women aren’t really a significant factor of life; however I have a major problem and strongly disagreeing perspective against that. First off in the play “A Death of a Salesman” the wife, Linda in the play is truly disrespected when her husband goes off and spends time with another woman. I have a problem with Linda standing by her husband, given him two sons, tending to their house and in return gets disrespected with an affair. Not only is this affair negative towards the wife but “The Woman” is placed at an inferior role due to the fact that she doesn’t even receive a name in the play.

I also have a problem with the second play “A Raisin in the Sun” and how the women are treated throughout the story. All three of the women Beneatha, Ruth, and Mama all have a variety of times in the play where there is no respect shown whether it is in support of their dreams, physical appearance, or just as a woman in general. For example, Beneatha has this major dream of becoming a doctor but there are male characters like her brother and George who doubt her just because of her gender. Another time that Beneatha is not rewarded with her significance is when she decides that she wants to embrace her African heritage. Although Asagai is supporting her discussions and ideas her brother still comes along and makes fun of her by dancing and singing. This goes back to the lack of respect that women have to face in this world that we live in. Another instance in the play is when Ruth was trying to confess to her husband that she was pregnant. Walter just brushes her off like the news that she has to explain is not of huge importance. I feel as if Walter places Ruth and her unborn child in a category where they don’t even matter at this point in the story. Ruth has to be on the edge of giving an abortion for her own husband to take time to realize that her news is of significance. She practically set her own dreams aside just to support him and back him up as a husband. Then there is Mama who in my opinion Walter Lee disregards when he still goes through with the investment knowing that his mom trusted him. As his mother she trusted him to do the right thing.

One of the last readings also included different aspects of down grading women. Basically the author compares woman to trees whether it is how we grow, our physical strength, as well as our minds. Throughout the poem we are considered to be weak, dwarf in growth, and intellectually crippled. I definitely oppose these characteristics and argue that women stand for so much more than this stereotype that they have us labeled as. I am tired of being compared to the weaker things in life. Why can’t women have the strength of an ox or a bull? Why can’t women grow without the superior control of a man right next to them? Why are we labeled the weak links in life? Why do women continue to accept this idea thrown at us daily in life?

A Raisin in the Sun- Reflection Post

After reading “A Raisin in the Sun” I found that there were a lot of things in the play that I could personally relate to. One of the example from the story that I had a connection with was the conversation between Travis and Walter in Act II. Basically this conversation is a father to son discussion on what Travis plans on doing for a career in the future. I’m sure that many people have had this special talk with a parent but personally I feel that this was one of the biggest turning points of my life the first time that I experienced this. Not only did I get the lecture on college but I received the most devastating news of my life. I was about fifteen when I was sat down in my living room with my mom and she told that she had found out that she had breast cancer. She went on to give me this entire speech on how she was not always going to be in my life to help me make decisions so it was time to start considering what I wanted to do in life. Of course many other thoughts and emotions began to rush through my mind but my response to her was that I wanted to help people like her and those who were in desperate need of care. However, I am currently a biology major who is considering attending pharmacy school. So in relation to Travis and his sit down conversation with his father I can image the thoughts that were going through his head when his father randomly sits him down to talk about his future. I think that these types of discussions are needed sometimes just to open a child’s eyes and inspire them to work towards becoming successful. For example, when Travis states that “I can’t make up my mind. Sometimes Mama asks me that too. And sometimes when I tell you I just want to be like you-she says she don’t want me to be like that and sometimes she says she does….”(p.1659). In other words there is confusion with Travis about what he wants to do in life and about his father as a role model. Therefore I believe that this talk was much needed for both Travis and Walter. Especially, Walter who needed help not only finding himself but changing some of his ways knowing that his son is following his lead.

Another section in the play that I wanted to reflect on was the part where Bennie and Walter were arguing about her wanting to become a doctor. I have two brothers that act just like Walter who love to throw their negative comments at me daily. I am also a student- athlete who plays basketball here at Southeastern University and my brothers have been telling me for years that I need to stop playing and at more like a lady by just going to school to learn something. They also use to tease me about how I’m not smart enough to be trying to do a major like biology. So I definitely feel Beneatha’s anger when Walter states things like “Who the hell told you you had to be a doctor? If you are so crazy ‘bout messing ‘round with sick people-then go be a nurse like other women-or just get married and be quiet…”(p.1629). As a sister of two brothers I definitely understand her emotions when it comes to negativity and arguments around the house.

Death of a Salesmen- Problematize Post

After reading the play “Death of a Salesmen” and viewing a clip of the end I feel that there were a few puzzling aspects of the play. First off I feel that the setting of the play was challenging at times because of all of the flashbacks and memories that were brought up in and out of the play. For example, the clip in class showed when Willy Lowman was having a discussion with Biff where at first he was talking bad about him but as soon as he realizes that he son actually loves him he contradicts himself and starts to talk about how successful he is going to be. After the discussion he flashes back to as if he were at a football game. The entire time his wife was in the bedroom calling him to come in the room. I think that this play is much easier to understand when performed instead of read due to all of the delusional flashbacks and memories throughout the play. Majority of the time when I was reading the play I would find myself rereading to determine exactly where and what was going in the play. So I would definitely say that the setting and situation of the play was the most challenging for me while reading.

Additionally I feel that some of the content that was displayed conflicts with the Southeastern University culture. For example, the curse words, “The Women”, and Happy’s affairs that he kept on having with his bosses wives. All three of these examples were just some of the content that I feel would clash with the rules and culture of what is expected at school here. Another idea that I do not remember the Lowman’s trying was praying about their situations. At Southeastern University prayer and devotion to the Lord is one of the key ideas expressed and done daily. I believe that during all of their struggles financial, socially, and physically could have been fixed with faith and prayer to the Lord. I honestly live my life thinking that “God never gives you more than you can handle”. I don’t think that Willy had to commit suicide or become so deep in denial and repression that he was no longer living life. Also I don’t agree with how Willy is dishonest in his marriage and has a mistress on the side. In comparison to the culture here at school where growth, authentic spirituality, and ethics of life are just a few of the things that are followed daily. Therefore, although I had a problem with the flashbacks and select content throughout the play it was definitely an interesting read for me.