I believe that Nadya, Sam and I did a good job of writing our script, however could have developed the scene and performance itself a lot more with time. I think that we had a great idea. The concept of the characters meeting and navigating insecurities and conflict was intriguing and challenging. I found that by doing so, we had to think more about the characters and their stories. We had to find common themes and similarities between the women. We explored gender roles, legacy, hope and hate all in one quick moment which I think was very special. As a group we found clever ways to introduce other characters (Lili) and look at Danticat in a more holistic way as a writer. By intertwining her stories we were able to go into the themes in more depth. I think that the strongest part of our scene was our dialogue handling confrontation. We did a good job of writing anger in an honest way. The character's lines were truthful however, we incorporated fear which we hadn't seen in the women in the book.
The problems I saw with our scene was that there were many ideas started, however most of them were left unfinished. I think there was too much unexplained that it became confusing. I hope that if we got more time to work on the piece we could find other moments to explain and develop. I would like to go back work on my acting specifically. I think that I could find more places to find variety in my acting. The whole scene seemed very monotone. I was annoyed and that was it. There is lot more anger, and fear in the woman which I hope I can potentially go back and highlight. I also think that the staging could be a lot more intimate and natural. Sitting in the corner was somewhat awkward. I think that finding better staging would explain the 'talking to myself' in a more clear way.
Lastly, I think there are a lot of things we could go through and explain in the scene. How did my character end up in NYC? How did the other women end up there? The characters have very interesting stories and unique backgrounds that I feel deserve more exploration prior to performance. I hope that if we do this activity again, I can find more ways to emphasize the insecurity in the woman and put more body language into the acting to show different layers of emotion. For example, I think digging deeper into my character's role as a prostitute would be interesting. I think that defining her as this in the scene and contrasting how she holds her body to the other women would be powerful. Another thing I want to add is the relationship between the women and their children This is something I would want to talk about more. How the women would bring this up in conversation I am unsure of, however introducing their relationships with their children was our initial goal and we never got there. I want to them to discuss their wants for their children, and find common ground in their similar sacrifices.
Monday, January 30, 2017
Top 5 Scenes
Choice #1- Scene 10, I would like to explore more of the characters of each story interacting. This scene would allow characters from different stories to meet.
Choice #2- Scene 2, The history of 1937 is very interesting to me and I would love to explore it more as a historical acting piece.
Choice #3- Scene 10, I think my scene with the spoken words could be very artistic and original. I think it will take a lot of work but will eventually be unique.
Choice #4- Scene 4, I think Guy and Lili's relationship is very intriguing. They are both layered characters who have the potential to cover a wide variety of emotions. I think the scene would be challenging acting wise, therefore I am interested.
Choice #5- Scene 3, I think the father's perspective could be very different. It would take a lot of staging work, however I think the plot is interesting.
Choice #2- Scene 2, The history of 1937 is very interesting to me and I would love to explore it more as a historical acting piece.
Choice #3- Scene 10, I think my scene with the spoken words could be very artistic and original. I think it will take a lot of work but will eventually be unique.
Choice #4- Scene 4, I think Guy and Lili's relationship is very intriguing. They are both layered characters who have the potential to cover a wide variety of emotions. I think the scene would be challenging acting wise, therefore I am interested.
Choice #5- Scene 3, I think the father's perspective could be very different. It would take a lot of staging work, however I think the plot is interesting.
Friday, January 27, 2017
Endgame Review
To be honest, I enjoyed Endgame much more than I originally assumed I would. I have never been a huge fan of obscure theater as I often find it confusing for unnecessary reasons and simply abstract because it can be. The other obscure shows I have seen came off pretentious or odd, however Endgame was quite the opposite. It was very emotional and truthful. I also was floored by the small ensembles ability to have such honest chemistry. They worked well off of each other and created moments of suspense, beauty and emotion that often gave me chills. I did not find the play funny, however I was not bored. The tone of the play was serious and dark, but the emotion kept me engaged in the character's. I thought that Clov was the best, all of them were amazing actors, however, he stood out to me. How he was able to put his character in his voice and his body was truly intelligent. I was impressed by the ensemble's ability to use the small venue and make the plot and setting intimate with the audience. The questions after opened up a lot of discussion on Beckett and the actors interpretation of his writing. They all had firm grasps on the meaning of the show and Beckett's life as it fits in it.
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Proposal of Scene
My proposal is quite ambitious, however with hard work I think it could be very interesting. I imagine a selection of three or four different characters. I am thinking the mother from Night Women, the boy on the boat in Children of Sea, Guy from Wall of Fire Rising, then lastly he young daughter from 1937. While these characters are my first preference, I am open to changing them. I see the scene taking place in a coffee shop or a bar of some sort. The lighting would be very low and there would be one spotlight center stage. The characters would all be sitting at different chairs, all facing in different directions. The scene would begin with white noise, then the noise would fade however return after the people perform. This noise and minimal set/light would allow the characters to be focused on, and the nose would give an eerie feel to the moment.
The characters would all be attending an open-mic/poetry reading night. Each character would come prepared with a 2 minute monologue, spoken word, poetry etc. The writings would all have to do with one major theme from the character's chapters. Night Women would do a spoken poem on the contrast she feels between her son and her work. The poem would be passionate and angry. I imagine it to be aggressive, but also very emotional. The boy from the boat would talk about love and revolution, and how they conflict. This would also be very emotional and a bit depressing, however a balance of hope would have to shine through. Then, Guy would talk about death, poverty and touch upon gender roles. The girl from 1937, would bring in the themes of legacy, history and Haiti as a whole. Each character's poetry/spoken word would be both acting and writing challenges. Although, I believe this is a unique way to touch many themes of the book without being obvious.
After each person performed their poetry, the characters would find themselves in conversation about each other's stories. They would relate to each other, complement each other and discuss their differences. The dialogue would be very casual, as the vibe of the coffee house would be very 'chill'. The white noise would return and suddenly the lights would go out. The next scene would be the mother from Night Women, in her home reflecting. She would discuss the other performances, and have a more honest reflection of her own story. The scene would be one chair and a simple spotlight within darkness on the actor. This would be the same scene for all four actor's. Each would reflect and question their own stories. The end of the production would be them each coming back onto stage in bright light. The actors would hold hands and perform a spoken word as one, in character, reflecting on story telling. Other stories from the book would be introduced shortly, and details about Danticat would surface. The final aspect of the show would be them all embracing. I am not sure if this is enough acting, however it is a lot of character study to write and perform the spoken words I have in mind.
The characters would all be attending an open-mic/poetry reading night. Each character would come prepared with a 2 minute monologue, spoken word, poetry etc. The writings would all have to do with one major theme from the character's chapters. Night Women would do a spoken poem on the contrast she feels between her son and her work. The poem would be passionate and angry. I imagine it to be aggressive, but also very emotional. The boy from the boat would talk about love and revolution, and how they conflict. This would also be very emotional and a bit depressing, however a balance of hope would have to shine through. Then, Guy would talk about death, poverty and touch upon gender roles. The girl from 1937, would bring in the themes of legacy, history and Haiti as a whole. Each character's poetry/spoken word would be both acting and writing challenges. Although, I believe this is a unique way to touch many themes of the book without being obvious.
After each person performed their poetry, the characters would find themselves in conversation about each other's stories. They would relate to each other, complement each other and discuss their differences. The dialogue would be very casual, as the vibe of the coffee house would be very 'chill'. The white noise would return and suddenly the lights would go out. The next scene would be the mother from Night Women, in her home reflecting. She would discuss the other performances, and have a more honest reflection of her own story. The scene would be one chair and a simple spotlight within darkness on the actor. This would be the same scene for all four actor's. Each would reflect and question their own stories. The end of the production would be them each coming back onto stage in bright light. The actors would hold hands and perform a spoken word as one, in character, reflecting on story telling. Other stories from the book would be introduced shortly, and details about Danticat would surface. The final aspect of the show would be them all embracing. I am not sure if this is enough acting, however it is a lot of character study to write and perform the spoken words I have in mind.
Monday, January 23, 2017
Scene; Krik? Krak!
Characters
1: Night Women lady
2: Caroline’s Wedding mom
3: New York Day Women mom
(enters coffee shop)
1: Those two women walked all this way to drink coffee? And they still didn’t notice me? I’ll find out who they are. . .
(1 sits down close to table where 2,3 can be heard talking)
3: So how was the wedding?
2: It was at the Town Hall. Smaller than what I would’ve liked. I still don’t entirely like the boy. I’m telling you America has changed that girl.
3: My daughter is the same. But I’m happy for her; she has money and good health while I only had an empty stomach.
1: (to herself) I would’ve done anything for those opportunities for me and my son.
2: But don’t you hate how American they’ve become. Even Grace. She just got her own passport and now I’m afraid she’ll never go back.
1: Why would she?
3: I’m sure she will. At least when she gets older.
2: Speaking of, have you heard anything of Lili back home?
3: She hasn’t responded in months. It’s not like her to never write back.
1: I wonder if they’re talking about the same Lili that killed herself? Lili did know some people here in the United States. I remember bringing my son for a walk, looking up at her husband. He seemed so happy, free from the burden being poor. He smiled down, and we waved. My son laughed, but I knew it would not end well. Years later, Lili was found. She too was then free from the burden of being poor. Their son must be see it all so tragically.
2: I hope she’s alright. Well, how have you been?
3: After so many years, I wish I could go back. I want to see father’s grave again, and celebrate Kanaval. Haiti will always be my home.
2: I feel the same way.
(1 walks to the table, clearly fed up with their ungratefulness)
1: How? You guys are the lucky ones. You have everything here, and your children can live happy lives. What else do you need? Haiti is falling apart, I have seen it with my own eyes.
2: But our children have no care for our culture here.
1: But at least they don’t need to sleep with earplugs so mommy can “work.” I spend hours every night with married men, staring at the holes in my broken roof. I watch as the day women get up early every morning, looking for work. There is poverty and despair in Haiti. You have no idea how lucky you are.
(1 leaves)
3: Maybe she’s right. I never looked at it that way.
2: Perhaps. I just wish I could show them the good parts of Haiti.
3: Maybe some day.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Endgame Notes
ENDGAME
By Samuel Beckett
Directed by Gordon Edelstein
"Explores the biggest question we all face—can love, family, or belief truly give meaning to our lives?"
- originally written in French
- Hamm – cannot stand, blind
- Clov – Hamm's servant; can't sit. Taken in by Hamm as a kid.
- Nagg – Hamm's dad, has no legs and lives in a dustbin. (huh)
- Nell – Hamm's mom, has no legs and lives in a dustbin next to Hamm's dad. ?
- Title after the last point of a chess game
- Hamm is rude/mean/annoying I am unsure? Ends up alone in a world where everyone else is gone/dead.
Abstract theater, small cast, strong ensemble
Storytelling Blog Post
Discuss the role of storytelling in Krik? Krak! and to Danticat. Why is it important? Consider the title as well as the epilogue and at least one story in your post.
I think that story telling is the most important aspect of Danticat's Krik? Krak! To me, while reading, I found a strong theme of storytelling to be the convincing aspect of Danticat's style, purpose and desire. She found a unique way of incorporating storytelling and identity to seamlessly combine a thoughtful and passionate approach towards telling her own, and other's, story's.
I think an interesting way to look at this book is with a similar lens of the TED talk, 'The Danger of a Single Story'. The woman, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, begins the talk by affirming herself as a storyteller. I believe that this relates to Krik? Krak! as the title itself resembles the identity of being a storyteller. It branches the gap between writing and living. The sound gives life to writing, and essentially brings the idea of telling stories to the forefront of a writer's purpose. The TED talk also talks about how the danger of a single story explains how every person has their own past and future. She explains how our stories are unique, rich, vibrant and always worth telling. I believe Danticat would agree, and does show this in her book. Krik? Krak! shows the diversity in the culture of Haiti, but also shows the community and love of the country. Danticat uses storytelling as her means to determine the necessity of her book. In my opinion, books like Krik? Krak! need a sense of urgency. Danticat wrote with a need to say something, the tone and themes of the book make readers feel a purpose. This is why storytelling is so important to this book, because it inherently encompasses the truth and purpose of the novel.
The epilogue sums this up perfectly. It talks mainly about the need to tell your story. She writes about how as a writer she feels the responsibility to bring her readers to places, communities, homes and characters, we otherwise would never know. She feels the need to tell stories to teach. Danticat reaches a point in the epilogue where she reaches out to the reader and inspires us to not only feel her stories, but begin to tell our own. She emphasizes the value in seeing the world through the stories we hear, not the assumptions or judgements we carry. I believe that this is the moment in Krik? Krak! where Danticat is the most obviously a writer who strives to find the intersectionality between art and activism. She writes with a purpose beyond her words, she writes to touch people. Storytelling is the main reason I enjoyed this book. A specific story where I believe story telling was the most exciting and relevant to my previous points was 1937. This chapter took a different look on a historical moment and bridged a gap between the past and modern gender roles, family and conflict. This is done in a way only specifically passionate and empathetic storytellers can.
I think that story telling is the most important aspect of Danticat's Krik? Krak! To me, while reading, I found a strong theme of storytelling to be the convincing aspect of Danticat's style, purpose and desire. She found a unique way of incorporating storytelling and identity to seamlessly combine a thoughtful and passionate approach towards telling her own, and other's, story's.
I think an interesting way to look at this book is with a similar lens of the TED talk, 'The Danger of a Single Story'. The woman, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, begins the talk by affirming herself as a storyteller. I believe that this relates to Krik? Krak! as the title itself resembles the identity of being a storyteller. It branches the gap between writing and living. The sound gives life to writing, and essentially brings the idea of telling stories to the forefront of a writer's purpose. The TED talk also talks about how the danger of a single story explains how every person has their own past and future. She explains how our stories are unique, rich, vibrant and always worth telling. I believe Danticat would agree, and does show this in her book. Krik? Krak! shows the diversity in the culture of Haiti, but also shows the community and love of the country. Danticat uses storytelling as her means to determine the necessity of her book. In my opinion, books like Krik? Krak! need a sense of urgency. Danticat wrote with a need to say something, the tone and themes of the book make readers feel a purpose. This is why storytelling is so important to this book, because it inherently encompasses the truth and purpose of the novel.
The epilogue sums this up perfectly. It talks mainly about the need to tell your story. She writes about how as a writer she feels the responsibility to bring her readers to places, communities, homes and characters, we otherwise would never know. She feels the need to tell stories to teach. Danticat reaches a point in the epilogue where she reaches out to the reader and inspires us to not only feel her stories, but begin to tell our own. She emphasizes the value in seeing the world through the stories we hear, not the assumptions or judgements we carry. I believe that this is the moment in Krik? Krak! where Danticat is the most obviously a writer who strives to find the intersectionality between art and activism. She writes with a purpose beyond her words, she writes to touch people. Storytelling is the main reason I enjoyed this book. A specific story where I believe story telling was the most exciting and relevant to my previous points was 1937. This chapter took a different look on a historical moment and bridged a gap between the past and modern gender roles, family and conflict. This is done in a way only specifically passionate and empathetic storytellers can.
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Notes on Danticat's Talk
My favorite part of Danticat's speech was when she brought up the intersectionality of art and protest. I appreciated her ability to so eloquently vocalize the importance of an artist being an activist. She allowed me to view MLK in a modern way and showed how art can be expression, but also protest. She found ways to incorporate her passion for art, but also her moral obligation to fight for her beliefs. I also thought she was so inspiring. She made me want to get up and be an ally. She encouraged me to listen to stories and use my art as means of protest. She found a great balance of explaining how art is not one thing or another. It is not entertainment but but creative struggle and expression. She found ways to show us the beauty in her writing, but also the pain in the stories she tells. In the writing workshop I found how knowledgeable she was. She truly is such an amazing writer and I thought it was so cool how she knew about different genres and taught us tools/stylistic choices I had never heard of. Lastly, she told us how art allows us to feel others and how artist have such unique identities and narratives.
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Gender Roles in American vs. Haitian Stories (KRIK? KRAK!)
Discuss the connections between women's lives in the Haitian-based stories vs the American-based stories. How are their experiences similar and different? Be specific. Also, be sure to read and include Caroline's Wedding in this post.
The differences between women's lives within the stories based in America and Haiti display a strong deviation in gender roles in these two cultures. Based on all the readings of Krik Krak thus far, the role of a woman in the Haitian society is very specific. In A Wall of Fire Rising, the mother, Lili, was seen as the care taker. She looked after the son and relied on her husband, Guy, to provide for the family. Her sole responsibilities belonged in the home. Similarly, the first story, Children of the Sea, the female narrator wrote many times about respecting her father and being obedient towards his wishes. She ignored love to follow his rules, proving a strong sense of male/father superiority and obligatory respect. These gender roles are engrained in the Haitian world and shape the lives and mindsets of the women bound by them.
Despite these long standing traditions for women, once families immigrate the to US, everything within the gender and family dynamic changes. This is first shown in New York Day Women when the daughter finds her mother working to support the family. This contrasts the previously mentioned roles of men being the primary economic providers. In this story, the relationship between the mother and daughter contrasts the female relationships seen before. For example, in The Missing Peace, the Granddaughter was always expected to respect and look up to her grandmother. While she does disobey her, the consequences she faces are very drastic. The consequences are especially different in comparison to the daughter in New York Day Women, who is annoyed by her mother and does not see her as a role model. The two women lack communication forcing the daughter to respect her mother less. The mother does not work to change this though. It seems that the idea of the American dream seemed stronger in her eyes.
These Haitian and American female experiences are the most contrasted in the story Caroline's Wedding. The first time we see the contrast is when it is explained how Caroline is marrying Eric against her mother's wishes. While Ma voices her displeasure, Caroline ignore it. This shows a direct difference to Children of the Sea, where the girl could not even date a boy her parents disapproved of, nevertheless marry. This is very interesting to me as it is a common stereotype of American's lacking resect for parents or elders. I believe that this culture is so prominent within American society, that it can undo years of traditions and culture. This can be especially true for children who grew up with immigrant parents but only ever knew American culture. This specific experience Danticat is writing about, is very unique as it tells a story of the way cultural assimilation and immigration can strain parent/child relationships in powerful ways. I think that this perspective of comparing and contrasting American vs. Haitian female experiences puts the narrative of immigration into a new lens. It forces us as readers to find the ways sacrifice for a better life can change not only your physical or financial situation, but your way of thinking as well. The one thing that is always true in every single parent/child relationship in this book, is the parent's undeniable wish to see their children successful, happy and healthy. This says a lot about Danticat's view of Haiti and her experience as a female immigrant.
The differences between women's lives within the stories based in America and Haiti display a strong deviation in gender roles in these two cultures. Based on all the readings of Krik Krak thus far, the role of a woman in the Haitian society is very specific. In A Wall of Fire Rising, the mother, Lili, was seen as the care taker. She looked after the son and relied on her husband, Guy, to provide for the family. Her sole responsibilities belonged in the home. Similarly, the first story, Children of the Sea, the female narrator wrote many times about respecting her father and being obedient towards his wishes. She ignored love to follow his rules, proving a strong sense of male/father superiority and obligatory respect. These gender roles are engrained in the Haitian world and shape the lives and mindsets of the women bound by them.
Despite these long standing traditions for women, once families immigrate the to US, everything within the gender and family dynamic changes. This is first shown in New York Day Women when the daughter finds her mother working to support the family. This contrasts the previously mentioned roles of men being the primary economic providers. In this story, the relationship between the mother and daughter contrasts the female relationships seen before. For example, in The Missing Peace, the Granddaughter was always expected to respect and look up to her grandmother. While she does disobey her, the consequences she faces are very drastic. The consequences are especially different in comparison to the daughter in New York Day Women, who is annoyed by her mother and does not see her as a role model. The two women lack communication forcing the daughter to respect her mother less. The mother does not work to change this though. It seems that the idea of the American dream seemed stronger in her eyes.
These Haitian and American female experiences are the most contrasted in the story Caroline's Wedding. The first time we see the contrast is when it is explained how Caroline is marrying Eric against her mother's wishes. While Ma voices her displeasure, Caroline ignore it. This shows a direct difference to Children of the Sea, where the girl could not even date a boy her parents disapproved of, nevertheless marry. This is very interesting to me as it is a common stereotype of American's lacking resect for parents or elders. I believe that this culture is so prominent within American society, that it can undo years of traditions and culture. This can be especially true for children who grew up with immigrant parents but only ever knew American culture. This specific experience Danticat is writing about, is very unique as it tells a story of the way cultural assimilation and immigration can strain parent/child relationships in powerful ways. I think that this perspective of comparing and contrasting American vs. Haitian female experiences puts the narrative of immigration into a new lens. It forces us as readers to find the ways sacrifice for a better life can change not only your physical or financial situation, but your way of thinking as well. The one thing that is always true in every single parent/child relationship in this book, is the parent's undeniable wish to see their children successful, happy and healthy. This says a lot about Danticat's view of Haiti and her experience as a female immigrant.
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
KRIK? KRAK! Reading Notes 2
Night Women:
Characters: (unnamed)
Mother
Son (6-10)
Plot:
Takes place over one night
Mother works as a 'woman of the night' or a prostitute
She talks about her son as she watches him sleep
Imagines her son as the 'ghost' or 'angel' or the father
She sacrifices her body for his future
She imagines him growing up
She sees the 'day women' and feels bad for them as they have to work during the day
Themes:
Gender
Legacy
Parent/Child Relationships
Escape
Magic vs Reality
Questions:
Is the father actually dead?
Does the son know she's a prostitute or too young to understand?
New York Day Women
Characters:
Daughter (20s-30s)
Mother (50s-60s)
Plot:
The daughter is on her lunch break and sees her mom on the streets of NYC
Haitian immigrants
She follows her mom
Mom works as nanny (?)
Bold print is mother (similar to first chapter)
Mom's voice in her head
She recounts all the ways her mother has influenced her
Reflective of Daniticat's experience and past
Themes:
Legacy
Parent/Child Relationships
Escape
The Missing Peace
Characters:
Grandmother
Visitor Emelie (Mademoiselle Gallant)
Lamort
Raymond
Plot:
Lamort is with Raymond and he 'controls her beauty' (gender roles big time here)
He sorta sexually assaults her it seems somewhat consensual (Not for sure though)
He talks about his war injury
Curfew gunshots, violence in town
Grandmother is portrayed very wise (generations/legacy)
Lamont brings a sewing kit to Emelie
Emelie tells her she should have been named after her mother (mother died during child birth)
Emelie (American) mother died in this town
Lamort quites her grandmother
Emelie pays Lamort to take her to the mass grave
'Key word' is peace but guard ignores it and gets very mad >:( when the women try to challenge him
Emelie begs Lamort to stay, she sleeps on the ground
Lamort tells her grandmother she wants to be called by her mother's name
Themes:
Gender
Family
History vs Present
Violence/Death
Faith
Questions:
Whole thing with guy in the cemetery, why was he so mean? They were out past curfew is that really such a big deal???
Purple dress???
What is the historical context of this chapter?
What is this town?
Night Women In Class Writing
While reading this story I felt hopelessness in the women. She speaks in a tone about herself as if she has given up and only finds peace when she clears her mind. She lives her life for her son, therefore I don't believes she is helpless. She is willing to work a job that makes her sick, she lies to her son, she feels pain when he does. Her life centers around giving her son a better life, she lives for his happiness not her own. This is interesting parent/child relationship and really creates the tone of the whole piece. I think that this might be reflective or contrasting of things we've read so far. It reflects Lilli from A Wall of Fire Rising, though it contrasts every father/daughter relationship thus far. This is not a only a gender theme, but also an important representation of all parents working hard for their children to succeed. The only thing that changes from boy to girl, is the definition of success. The tone of desperation but hope from the mother makes sense in context of the plot as it explains her reasoning to do such painful work. She wants her son to sleep well, get educated and live a better life than her, therefore she sacrifices her story/legacy for his. I believe the magic of the chapter helps her son understand his mother, and helps the women cope with her struggle. Each chapter we have read so far has had a tone of escape. In this one, the escape for the son is his mother's hard work, her escape is the magic she feels when she watches him dream/sleep. This is important to show the depth of the characters in a short amount of time. We know even from the first few pages about the mother's love, passion and imagination.
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Themes of Krik Krak
Blog post # 6: Choose a theme that appears in more than one of the stories and explore the connections. What is Danticat doing with this theme? What interests you in the way the stories present this theme? Do some creative thinking & analysis! 500 words
I think that the most relevant and important theme of Krik Krak thus far has been gender roles. Within gender roles, Danticat had exposed stereotypes, cultural expectations and contrasting roles of different characters. The story that displayed the exploration of gender roles the most was the first piece, Children of the Sea. This chapter told a story of a boy, around 19 years old, escaping Haiti by boat and leaving behind the girl he was in love with. The first way that Danticat relates to the theme of gender roles was in the style of writing in the letters of each gender. For example, the boys writing is obviously educated, polished and sophisticated. In contrast the girl's writing lacks proper grammar and is structured as a diary. The boy's piece is written as a recount of history, he wrote of his experiences on the boat with the intention of his words being remembered and studied by others. This idea shows hat men get to control history, that gender determines who is remembered and how when we look back on the past. His writings promote a sense of posterity that push forward the moral of 'men telling the story'. This is an important concept that defines how women are seen in the Haitian society. From the first chapter we know that woman cannot go to school and they must be obedient to their father's, this instilling a patriarchal societal structure.
In the next chapter, 1937, this theme continues as women are put in jail for 'flying'. While the flying in a literal sense has to do with the voodoo religion, I believe it also has to do with women excelling or having power. The women were out into prison after 'flying' or escaping the government's wishes. I believe this relates to governments perpetuating oppression of women and continuing unequal gender roles. Contrastingly, in A Wall of Fire Rising, the father of the family, Guy, feels inferior and weak because he cannot fulfill the societal norms of a man's duties. It is valuable to recognize that almost all the characters in Krik Krak so far seem to be defined by the standard expectations of their gender. The other themes of Krik Krak also all somehow relate back to gender. For example, the themes I have found and connected between chapters have been power/pride, desperation and relationships. All of these themes can be traced back to a root of gender. For example, desperation in 1937, the women could be 'desperate' to be freed from the prison of their gender. In A Wall of Fire Rising, Guy is controlled by his want for power and held back by his pride and insecurities that stem from his displeasure in his inability to provide for his family, as he believes a man should. So far, the themes of gender roles have developed layers to the text and characters in a unique and wonderful way. It has allowed for a different kind of depth specific to Danticat;s writing and experience. It also teaches readers a lot about Haiti and Danticat;s perception of the country as a woman. I am interested to see other ways Danticat can introduce gender roles into Krik Krak.
I think that the most relevant and important theme of Krik Krak thus far has been gender roles. Within gender roles, Danticat had exposed stereotypes, cultural expectations and contrasting roles of different characters. The story that displayed the exploration of gender roles the most was the first piece, Children of the Sea. This chapter told a story of a boy, around 19 years old, escaping Haiti by boat and leaving behind the girl he was in love with. The first way that Danticat relates to the theme of gender roles was in the style of writing in the letters of each gender. For example, the boys writing is obviously educated, polished and sophisticated. In contrast the girl's writing lacks proper grammar and is structured as a diary. The boy's piece is written as a recount of history, he wrote of his experiences on the boat with the intention of his words being remembered and studied by others. This idea shows hat men get to control history, that gender determines who is remembered and how when we look back on the past. His writings promote a sense of posterity that push forward the moral of 'men telling the story'. This is an important concept that defines how women are seen in the Haitian society. From the first chapter we know that woman cannot go to school and they must be obedient to their father's, this instilling a patriarchal societal structure.
In the next chapter, 1937, this theme continues as women are put in jail for 'flying'. While the flying in a literal sense has to do with the voodoo religion, I believe it also has to do with women excelling or having power. The women were out into prison after 'flying' or escaping the government's wishes. I believe this relates to governments perpetuating oppression of women and continuing unequal gender roles. Contrastingly, in A Wall of Fire Rising, the father of the family, Guy, feels inferior and weak because he cannot fulfill the societal norms of a man's duties. It is valuable to recognize that almost all the characters in Krik Krak so far seem to be defined by the standard expectations of their gender. The other themes of Krik Krak also all somehow relate back to gender. For example, the themes I have found and connected between chapters have been power/pride, desperation and relationships. All of these themes can be traced back to a root of gender. For example, desperation in 1937, the women could be 'desperate' to be freed from the prison of their gender. In A Wall of Fire Rising, Guy is controlled by his want for power and held back by his pride and insecurities that stem from his displeasure in his inability to provide for his family, as he believes a man should. So far, the themes of gender roles have developed layers to the text and characters in a unique and wonderful way. It has allowed for a different kind of depth specific to Danticat;s writing and experience. It also teaches readers a lot about Haiti and Danticat;s perception of the country as a woman. I am interested to see other ways Danticat can introduce gender roles into Krik Krak.
Thursday, January 5, 2017
"1937" and "Wall of Fire Rising" Notes
"1937"
Doll maybe symbolizing youth and innocence being taken as her mother dies
Extreme internal Haitian political turmoil, violence death
"Respectable wrinkles" respect elders is important
The narrator is proud of her city and it's beauty
"The Americans taught us how to build prisons" interesting relationship of power/influence between Haiti and America
Imagery of the prison is frightening, if this girl is holding a doll she must be young, therefore I can only imagine the fear she feels, or maybe she feels none since she's grown up in violence
Interesting how the girl knew her mother was physically still alive, though she claimed her to be dead at the beginnings of the chapter
The doll means something important to the mother
The girl will use the doll to remember her mother when she dies
Jacqueline, a memory of her mother?
Tears, water symbolism of peace?
"Wall of Fire Rising"
Wall of fire rising symbolizing turmoil rising
The European perspective seems to displease Haitians
Feet and growth are reoccurring themes of the chapter, maybe movement??
The writing shows a negative connotation towards arabs and Lebanese, does this reflect something in history
This story contrasts the story before in the themes of family and youth
This chapter displays different gender roles in comparison to the young girl and mother of chapter "1937"
Heartbeat- nice display of their relationship
The imagery and description of the scenery within all of these stories thus far, especially this chapter about the sunset, show that Danticat truly believes Haiti is beautiful and displays it through her writing.
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Danticat Quotes
"If a woman is worth remembering,' said my grandmother, 'there is no need to have her name carved in letters.”
While reading Krik Krak so far, I am noticing a lot of interesting gender roles. In the first chapter, the letters between the woman and the man display this idea of 'remembering women'. I'm interested to read more about Danticats ideas on gender roles or stereotypes as she writes pieces through history. In the most recent chapters, the role of the wife/mother are very traditional, though still powerful, which is not true in all places throughout history. I am sure gender roles will create an interesting dynamic throughout the book.
"We need literature because we wouldn't fully know ourselves without it. We need good literature to be human."
This quote is interesting because it says something about Danticat's ideas on literature and identity. Knowing 'who we are' through the thoughts or emotions we get from books, says a lot of our identity. I think Danitcat is touching on this a lot in Krik Krak because of her Haitian culture. As she writes we realize how much of Haiti is a part of her and why she feels it is important to tell these stories. Humanity comes from our ability to express ourselves and feel things inexplainable by words. Therefore, her interpretation of literature defining humanity is similar ideology.
While reading Krik Krak so far, I am noticing a lot of interesting gender roles. In the first chapter, the letters between the woman and the man display this idea of 'remembering women'. I'm interested to read more about Danticats ideas on gender roles or stereotypes as she writes pieces through history. In the most recent chapters, the role of the wife/mother are very traditional, though still powerful, which is not true in all places throughout history. I am sure gender roles will create an interesting dynamic throughout the book.
"We need literature because we wouldn't fully know ourselves without it. We need good literature to be human."
This quote is interesting because it says something about Danticat's ideas on literature and identity. Knowing 'who we are' through the thoughts or emotions we get from books, says a lot of our identity. I think Danitcat is touching on this a lot in Krik Krak because of her Haitian culture. As she writes we realize how much of Haiti is a part of her and why she feels it is important to tell these stories. Humanity comes from our ability to express ourselves and feel things inexplainable by words. Therefore, her interpretation of literature defining humanity is similar ideology.
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