Journal #8: Why does Camus create a part 1 and part 2?

Meursault goes to jail in part 2, which takes away his freedom. It's an entirely new perspective for him, and it changes his mindset. He reflects on his thoughts a lot more, and Camus creates a dynamic character. In part 1, Meursault lives physically, only reacting toward hunger, sleep, women and heat. I did not relate to the character at all. But Meursault gets more time to think about his life in part 2, after he kills a man and is sent to prison. It's kinda sick when he finds satisfaction in being questioned by authorities on a regular basis. "...I was almost surprised that I had ever enjoyed anything other than those rare moments when the judge would lead me to the door of his office, slap me on the shoulder, and say to me cordially, 'That's all for today, Monsieur Antichrist.' " (71) Meursault also changes in part 2 in that he gets a lot more attention, and responds with confusion and discomfort. It's another thing that he reflects on that, in part 1, he wouldn't have had much concern for. Camus creates two parts in order to portray the dynamic characterization of Meursault.

Journal #7: Answering others' questions on The Stranger.

1. Camus did not use powerful word choice in order to emphasize Meursault's indifference toward events in his life in general.

2. Camus uses contrast between Meursault's speech and others' speech to emphasize Meursault's disinterest to things going on around him.

3. Camus uses the sun and the sea to affect Meursault in order to portray that only physical discomfort has an effect on Meursault.

4. Camus does not use many symbols in order to convey that things in Meursault's life have no other meaning than the literal.

5. Camus creates a unique character in Meursault to emphasize the unique philosophy of existentialism.

7. Camus makes Meursault's life repetitive on order to emphasize the lack of meaning in his life.

8. Camus uses first person narrative to give an inside look of a character who lives without an idea of consequences.

9. Camus varies timewise to convey Meursault's lack of a grip on reality and how the world works.

It's my half birthday! :)

Journal #6

1. Word Choice
Why does Camus choose to use small word in The Stranger?
2. Sentences
Why does Camus only use statements in The Stranger, no exclamations or questions?
3. Images
Why does Camus use the image of heat?
4. Symbols
Why does Camus have a lack of symbols, and how does that portray a theme?
5. Figures of Speech
Why does Camus not use figures of speech, and what does that reveal about Meursault?
6. Rhetorical Devices
Why does Camus use short statements at the beginning of every chapter?
7. Patterns
Why does Camus use the motif of sleep?
8. Narrators
Why does Camus choose to use a first person objective character to tell the story?
9. Structure
Why does Camus choose to make days go by quickly, and how does it reflect a theme?

Journal #5: How does my personal philosophy affect my opinion of the book?

Well, to be honest, I made up my philosophy because I'm a cookie-cutter theist. I felt like being a little creative! But Meursault's interesting actions and responses of "it doesn't really matter" certainly go against my philosophy. Meursault acts because he sees no reason not to act, and tends to be absent of tense emotions. I tend to do what I think is right, I have a conscience and I have an idea of my consequences. Meursault has an absence of consequence in his thinking. When he shot the Arab, it was in response to him being "overheated", and his conscience had no say in the matter. He lives in the moment, which is not in my philosophy. But just because I don't approve of his lifestyle does not mean he is wrong, as difficult as it is to admit it! Some people may completely approve of how Meursault lives, and would rather live like him. But his absence of emotions like remorse, love and irritation is a bit unnerving.

Journal #4: Sun and Windows as Symbols

Journal #3: My Personal Philosophy

Tritheism: The philosophy that all humans' destinies are linked together under the power of three gods, each balancing the other out.

• Gods speak through holy prophets

The god cannot communicate with their subjects without a mouthpiece, which comes in the form of prophets.

• dreams come for people whose destinies will cross

A way to speak directly to the subjects when it is most important.

• Prophets live on Earth, like a royal family

People know that the prophets are holy, and when the prophet dies, their descendant becomes the next prophet

• Prophets are worshipped in churches, as well as the three gods
• Gods are omnicient

They have a hand in what is going on on Earth, in order to reveal destinies

• One god represents love, one represents dedication to the cause, and one represents the afterlife

They balance each other out, with the most important elements in life and death

• if you are dedicated to spreading the word of Tritheism, you will recieve love and a happy afterlife, which is your destiny.

This is the point of the philosophy, to have paradise when you die.

Journal #2: Describe Meursault's actions/activities. How do you respond to Meursault's activities? Why would Camus create a protagonist like Meursault- what is he trying to accomplish?

Meursault's actions may be interesting, but it's his thoughts while doing these actions that are more interesting. Or, rather, lack of thought. The Stranger is written in first person point of view, so one is able to read the protagonist's thoughts. But the story may as well be written in a narrator's point of view, one whom is very distant from the protagonist, because we get such a limited idea of Merusault's thoughts. He may just not think much. All that is said, basically, is the action he is doing. The most in-depth discussion is that he's hot and sweaty. He acts disconnected from his situation, and he thinks disconnected as well. Chapter 2 highlights this, because he sits and watches the street all day, which is about as disconnected as you can get. Camus is tying to convey the philosophy of existentialism- how there is no higher power and the only fate in a person's life depends on the decisions they make. It is life without meaning. Meursault's life certainly seems meaningless, even his affairs lack passion.

Stranger Journal #1: How are the two translations of the first page of The Stranger different? What effect does these differences create?

This story, so far, blows my mind. When I read the first page of the Random House translation, I did not have much to say. But then I read the other translation, and I could not stop writing. The Random House translation has very fluid sentences, for the most part. They are nice and long, and flow from one to the next. It is very formal, as well. But translation #2 has tons of very short, choppy sentences. It makes the narrator seem distracted, but not on account of their mother's death. In both translations, the narrator seems distracted because of their employer, which would seem much less important. Several lines are written about making arrangements to take a few days off, almost as many as the description of their mother's death. I say "their", because I know very little about the narrator. The story is written as though it's directly into the narrator's head, and of course, people don't think like, "I, Harry Crick, arranged my mother's funeral...". I would not be surprised if we never learned this character's name. That would actually be pretty cool. But the two translations give two very different ideas on what is happening in the narrator's head.

Journal #8: How does the structure affect the text?

The novel is very symmetrical. It opens with the symbolism of the horizon, and closes with the same symbol. But the ideas that accompany the horizon are very different from beginning to end. In the beginning, the horizon is unreachable and unimaginable. It's a distant thing that men wish for but never possess. But in the end, Janie reflects on how she was able to reach her horizon. It is a very poignant effect, it draws the book neatly to a close. I have read several books with abrupt and disappointing endings, but I was fine with the ending to this book. The dynamic symbolism creates a satisfying end to it.

Journal #8: What is the significance of the title? What does Hurston suggest about the relationship between the characters and God?

Hurston suggests that God is omnipresent in the characters' lives. Although things happening around them are very real, the explanation for them is that it's God's doing. When things are difficult to understand, either wonderful or terrible, the source is God's power. The balance between real world and spiritual belief is highlighted in this quote: "They seemed to be staring at the dark, but their eyes were watching God." The characters not only fully accept that God is the meaning of everything, but they cling to the belief with all of their might. The fact that everything is explained as God's doing does not suggest that the characters are uneducated and have no other answer; the characters are merely religious.

Journal #7: How does Mrs. Turner's relationship with her husband affect her character? Discuss their roles in marriage, and compare them to other couples in the chapters.

Mrs. Turner is the dominant one in her marriage. Mr. Turner has realized this, and probably decided to disappear into the background and let her do everything, or else she would probably throw a fit if she thought he did something wrong. But now Mrs. Turner considers his submission as laziness, and has narrowed it down to the fact that he is darker than her as the source of his laziness. Mrs. Turner thinks black people are loud and lazy, and she is neither because she's lighter, therefore not in their "category". It's an interesting interpretation made by a person of the very race being stereotyped. Mrs. Turner's husband's actions developed her racism toward black people.

Journal #6: 3 Literary Terms

1. Personification. "Janie dozed off to sleep but she woke up in time to see the sun sending up spies ahead of him to mark out the road through the dark." This is the cutest personification I have ever read. Hurston makes it sound like the sun is afraid of the dark, and it sent small rays of light go first to lighten up the sky. Then she goes on saying that the sun was red first, showing off, then went back to its typical white. I've never heard of anyone making the sunrise seem silly and whimsical. Hurston created this thought for Janie to show that she feels everyone else is having a lovely time except her. She's so upset with Tea Cake, and she feels like the only one who is unhappy. The sun is mocking her.

2. Hyperbole. "When the fellow began to pick to pick the box the people began to come from east, west, north and Australia." Another adorable literary technique. Tea Cake is explaining his absence to Janie, and as usual is vibrant, silly and exaggerated. Janie has been thinking stormy thoughts but Tea Cake bursts in and tells this fun story about his day. His hyperbole shows characterization of Tea Cake's whimsical nature. I can imagine Tea Cake smiling widely and jumping up and down, even while conscious that Janie is furious with him. He seems vivacious by nature.

3. Characterization. "Baby, Ah run mah other arm in mah coat-sleeve and grabbed dat nigger by his necktie befo' he could bat his eye and then Ah wuz all over 'im jus' lak gravy over rice." Tea Cake is talking about something very serious, a fight between himself and another man over money, but the way he says it makes it sound fun and comical. He has a characterization of radiance, I want to get to know this man myself. I like him more than Janie. His speeches are captivating and entertaining, and it's no wonder that everyone goes to his and Janie's house to have fun.

Journal #5: What motivates Janie? How has she changed?

Janie has changed because she is now starting to find a man that can make her happy. She thought that marriage would bring her happiness, but she did not find the right person in Joe. He did not allow Janie to speak or think for herself, which made her feel oppressed. The ironic thing is that Joe had to die in order for Janie to feel free. Her voice could be heard after Joe was gone, albeit a slow emergence. Her most prominent change could be seen when she met Tea Cake, who was able to take Janie out of her shell. He allowed her to be himself, and let her make her own decisions. "Ah always did want tuh git round uh whole heap, but Jody wouldn't 'low me tuh." Not only did she realize that the person she loved could bring out the best in her, but she realized that marriage is not always a fantasy. People can change after they're married. So Janie's motivation changed from getting married in general to finding someone who loves her for her.

Journal #4: Imitating Hurston's Personification

So Alice had stopped submitting to fear. Fear, that constrictive being with cold fingers who lurks in the unknown. The strong one who lived in the conscience of the sane like a vicious storyteller whispering in one's ear. What need has Fear for enveloping the insane, and what madness can drive him away? He creeps in his cold cavern that coaxes the curious as well as the cautious. Waits silently all day with his lips drawn back, waiting for the wary ones to step into the mystery. Been waiting everywhere at once for eternity, for him and her and them and theirs. She found her friends embedded with his teethmarks very often. She was impatient and excited too. Poor Micah! He ought not to have to venture the caves by himself. She sent his mom to accompany him, but Micah said No. A mother was all right when he was young, but he's much too old for that now. He'd be all right as soon as he saw that he could not get hurt. He was definitely going to jump. That was what he believed. But his mom told her of his past, so she could see. And then if he didn't, he would be teased mercilessly, for all of his friends had come to the cliff at the edge of the sea. People who laughed at Fear, had met the glorious being that materialized before them once they had conquered the constrictive one. Micah's friends stood on the cliffs and waited for his revelation. Freedom, that uncaged tiger, was just a step out of reach.

Journal #3

5 Literay Terms in Chapter 4 of Their Eyes Were Watching God:

1. Simile: "Logan held his wad of tobacco real still in his jaw like a thermometer of his feelings while he studied Janie's face and waited for her to say something."
This simile shows how Logan is waiting for Janie's response, and the way she reacts will determine what he says next. The tobacco is like a thermometer because he keeps it very still to wait for its reading, which in this situation is Janie's answer. His feelings will vary with Janie's response, just like the degrees in a thermometer varies with a person's temperature.

2. Imagery: "The noon sun filtered through the leaves of the fine oak tree where she sat and made lacy patterns on the ground."
The imagery appeals to one's sight and touch, because it sounds intricate and warm. The imagery is important because trees and gardens are becoming a symbol in this story, of growth, maturity and spring awakening. The narrator shows how these small details of the tree is important to Janie.

3. Characterization: "His coat was over his arm, but he didn't need it to represent his clothes. The shirt wth the silk sleeveholders was dazzling enough for the world. He whistled, mopped his face and walked like he knew where he was going."
Characterization is always important! This man is described like he is going to be an important character later in the book. This is Janie's first impression of this character, and it reveals that she thinks he is dignified and with plenty of money. Her first impression may affect her actions later, so if the narrator just said he was a black man with a nice shirt, one may not understand how Janie will react.

4. Metaphor: "The sun from ambush was threatening the world with red daggers, but the shadows were gray and solid-looking around the barn."
Janie does not seem to like the daytime. An ambush is something sudden and unwelcome, and daggers do not sound welcoming at all, so Janie dreads the sun coming out. She does not like answering to her husband and listening to his insults and degradations. Sleep is quiet and peaceful, and Janie seems to want to keep it that way.

5. Simile: "Logan with his shovel looked like a black bear doing some clumsy dance on his hind legs."
This simile reveals Logan's familiarity with a shovel, as well as Janie's attitude toward her husband in general. A bear on its hind legs does not sound particularly graceful, so Logan either is not strong enough to shovel manure or he has not shoveled stuff much. But if he chops wood for his wife, then he seems like he should be able to shovel manure. But Janie does not love her husband, so she will not compare him to something aesthetically pleasing.

Journal #2: How does the setting affect the text?

The setting of the story is very significant for characterization and atmosphere. Janie's grandmother, having grown up a slave, had no hopes of having a better future. When she had another chance of raising a child, she wanted to make sure that Janie had as many opportunities as possible, and a respectable future. The setting was post-Civil War, at a time when African Americans were discriminated against and many were not given opportunities like an education. Having assumptions that a black girl will not amount to much is a very significant idea in this novel, and the idea is present because of the time period. Janie's grandmother put into Janie's head the idea that the only way to better herself would be to marry well. But Janie may never be able to find happiness, because she wants to marry someone she loves instead of a man that is in a relatively good position in society.

Journal #1: How is the narration different from the dialect?
The narration is different from the dialect because it reads like someone very educated, and the dialect of the characters are written like uneducated southern African Americans after the Civil War. It's an interesting contrast to go from " ' Ah'm tryin' to soak some uh de tiredness and de dirt outa mah feet' " to " The rose of the world was breathing out smell. It followed her through all her waking moments and caressed her in her sleep." Many literary techniques are used in the narration, like metaphor, imagery and symbols. The dialect uses a lot of slang that is difficult to follow unless it is said out loud. The narration seems like almost a foil to the dialect in order to accentuate each writing's qualities, or it could be Janie's true thoughts that she can not express because of her restrictions of her education and dialect. This may be way off though! But the narrator does not seem like a person that does not have a significant part of the story. Maybe other authors intend for the narrators to be disconnected to the story, but this narration seems to take a more important role, like when describing Janie's spring romance.