Honors World Lit: FORUM POST
Consider the characters Nora Helmer and Hedda Gabler Tesman from the Ibsen plays we've studied. Upload one (1) of your extended metaphors, for either character.
Respond critically to at least two (2) of your classmates' posts (i.e., respond in a way that pushes consideration of our class themes, and pushes beyond the "conventional"). Answer any questions that may come up in the ensuing "discussion." Post in a timely manner, so that you can respond in a timely manner. Be sure to label your post with your name (and address your responses directly to the recipient) so that you can receive credit for your work! Use the "Post a Comment" form below.
DUE: 3/19.
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| http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2013/268/2/5/ metaphor_by_sleeping_macro-d6nt3g1.jpg |
Respond critically to at least two (2) of your classmates' posts (i.e., respond in a way that pushes consideration of our class themes, and pushes beyond the "conventional"). Answer any questions that may come up in the ensuing "discussion." Post in a timely manner, so that you can respond in a timely manner. Be sure to label your post with your name (and address your responses directly to the recipient) so that you can receive credit for your work! Use the "Post a Comment" form below.
DUE: 3/19.
Mark Chua:
ReplyDeleteWhat goes up, must come down. My every move, dictated by His finger through my string. He did what he wished with me and performed any trick he deemed suited to the environment. My sole function to perform what was necessary, to roll up and roll down. Being pulled out in guest parties and touted in the public eye, I was then again put away when the lights were gone and the show was over. What goes up, must come down. As he twirled and twirled me around, performing flashy tricks, wooing the audience to say, “Indeed he is a learned man”, I grew tangled, little by little. My strings began to grow knots in them but He did not notice. He yoyo-ed me, once again, performing tricks and shows to wow the audience while He did not even bother to untangle my aggravating knots on my string. On and on he played and played and played until one day, the knots on my strings tangled so tight that I fell off His fingers. I was nothing more than a yoyo to Torvald, a toy. What comes up, must indeed, come down.
Mark,
DeleteAn interesting metaphor, evocative of the theme of control and manipulation. In what ways, though, does Nora manipulate as well? Think beyond just her relationship with Torvald...
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DeleteMark,
DeleteThis metaphor presents a very clearly description of the relationship between Torvald and Nora. The idea of Nora being toyed with is interesting because, in the play, we also see Nora toy with Torvald. Maybe knots in the string could imply her side of the manipulation, or the spinning of the yo-yo symbolic of the truth being hidden or distorted.
Mark, what do you mean when you say "what goes up must come down"? Also, from your except, I felt like while Nora may have been unappreciated, she was simply being loved as someone she isn't. I really liked how you showed the example of knots representing the conflict between Nora and Helmer. From this metaphor, I can clearly see how you interpreted this story compared to how I interpreted as Nora taking a more manipulative role in the story.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteKevin,
DeleteBe sure to upload a metaphor from one of the three characters (Nora, Hedda, or yourself).
Mr. F
Hedda Gabler is a nifty pair of scissors, constantly trimming and carving those surrounding her, unable to accept life as it is. Though she once belonged to a general, she is now owned by another man—mediocre, unable to fulfill all of her desires. Hedda is dangerous to run with, because she can easily craft a disguise to mask the truth. Her ability to cut only grows sharper as she tests the limits. Around Hedda, those who displease her are pierced. She has the power to destroy yet she is without the power to mend. Orchestrating the life that she can’t experience herself, she exerts total control over others, because she lacks control over herself.
ReplyDeleteBerry,
DeleteInteresting--again, the theme of control is quite apparent. Scissors must be wielded; who are they wielded by in your metaphor?
Mr. F
Berry,
DeleteThis is a very clear metaphor of the ways of Hedda. I think you have captured her nature accurately, especially when you mentioned that "her ability to cut only grows sharper as she tests the limits." This hints at the psychological aspect of her life and how there is clearly a struggle between her desires and her actions.
- Grace
I like this methaphor you made about Hedda, its interesting that you mentioned the defense mechanism she used in controlling others because she cannot control herself.
DeleteBerry,
DeleteI really enjoyed reading your metaphor. I thought the line "She has the power to destroy yet she is without the power to mend" was a really strong description of her not being able to have stable relationships with others, but instead she sabotages other people's lives by manipulating them to get what she wants. I think the scissors could be wielded by Hedda herself, because she is the one controlling her own life, yet is unsatisfied with the results of the cuts (her actions).
Trini
WoW. Well said, in just a few words. Your choice as scissors really represented Hedda strongly as a scissor cannot tape back what it has cut. I also didn't notice that Hedda exerted total control over other because she didn't have control over herself, so to satiate that feeling of having the illusion of control, she pours it out on others.
DeleteHands fueled by love long gone
ReplyDeleteThe days and hours tick onwards,
With an illusion of autonomy
I vowed to not turn back-
For the past reveals and ugly truth
I move forward.
I chirp- every once in a while-
To please all that may pass
While stomaching the empty parcels.
Time grows near,
As the clockwork cranks onwards
Never to be wound again.
Clark,
DeleteFascinating metaphor for Nora, and brilliantly done in poetic style; bravo on the risk-taking. This suggests a strong cosmological idea; are you suggesting Nora's fate was inevitable?
Mr. F
Clark,
DeleteI really like the way you presented the metaphor, because though you never stated it, it is clear you are alluding to a clock. I find the stanza that mentions chirping especially interesting, since, in the play, Helmer actually calls Nora a "singing bird."
Hey Clark,
DeleteI really thought a long time about each of your words. Your representation of Nora as a bird really struck out to me. I now just realized that a lot of birds in the park eat the bread that we "strangers" give out to the birds but that is not what truly fills their desire. They seek worms or find pleasure in hunting their prey but in return we "strangers" feed them empty parcels. This idea of a bird also reminded me of a black bird longing to be free.
Medea – ship
ReplyDeleteAs my battered sail billows
My captain and sailors—
Their spirits are weakened
Their faith in me has gone now.
They hate me, mistreat me, want to rid me,
I am not what they need anymore,
Instead I am replaced, rebuilt, rearranged.
Yet—
I have the ally of the water,
Its strong waves are my friends
At sea they’ll beg and plead
The constant swaying and rocking—
Who has the control now?
They cannot weaken me
I weaken them, I bring them down
I have the power and the strength, and I can destroy
Edenne,
DeleteIntriguing choice of metaphor. Are you familiar with the Jason myth? (i.e., Do you know the significance of the Argonaut, or how Jason ultimately met his demise?)
Mr. F
Im am interested in what you mean by the water when talking about Medea's strength. Why does she get her power from this?
DeleteEdenne,
DeleteI really like how you split the poem into two significant parts where each had a different, if not, completely different tone. It mirrors Medea in that she was in the state of sorrow and despair but then rose up with determined mind and strength to kill. It's also very interesting how the metaphor is a ship, something that also brought the tragedy and sorrow upon Medea, was this intentional? Also to add onto Adrian's comment, to who were you referring to as her allies? Who are the waves?
Edenne,
ReplyDeleteI really like how this poem is split into two parts that reflect that two different sides of Medea. She is definitely fueled by the disrespect from others. I also think it is very interesting that water was part of your metaphor. Does this represent some sort of cosmological relationship.
-Victoria Zenteno
===NORA===
ReplyDeleteMy life roams a sunken bus,
The mountains below
The heavens above
Caged through and through
Years I have roamed
Unsure left from right
Top from bottom
Moving about just because
One day breaking the blue ceiling
Amazed at a whole new paradise,
Having wandered about
I feel I have forgotten
Michael,
DeleteThis totally shows how Nora is just sort of going with the flow with no real knowledge of what is going on, or her caring for that matter. What do you mean by "sunken bus" ?. I also would challenge that last stanza, because I don't think Nora really broke through anything.
Michael,
DeleteI get how the metaphor describes Nora's being "roaming" in a sense that she doesn't know where to go, she has no destination but just "getting by." I'm interested in your interpretation of this "new paradise" that she has found, was leaving Torvald really setting her free into a paradise?
Nora - Kevin
ReplyDeleteLike a ship, she comes and goes,
What a stunning vessel, measured beautifully from every angle
Nevertheless, how magnificent a ship may be, none of them are the sames
Started out on a blank slate,
Everything seems clear; everything seems so simple
To be like everyone else, it is what she does
Yet, trouble is in her way
From the angles and positions she encounters
Frustrated and exasperated, her fight is a pointless one
How does one create such a superb ship?
Just as lost as drifting at sea
It’s a hopeless quarrel that will end up nowhere
Her fight has clearly ended;
Her life, once again, has gone blank- there is nothing she can do now
Kevin,
DeleteIs it a coincidence that ships are also referred to as female objects? I like how you used the ship to show the fact the Nora is in fact lost, unaware of where has headed; I think of (sail) ships as ones that are at the mercy of the winds and currents and thus, can be suddenly taken off course.
There seems to be a focus on angles and positions which I find interesting since they can be indicative of the scattering of her thoughts and thus confusion.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHedda:
ReplyDeleteI am but a mirror,
casting my false self
to whomever looks upon me
I live my life reflecting what others see
never showing my true reflection,
unless through deceit
I stand wishing to be warped,
To bend images how I please,
To have control
Adrian,
DeleteI like how you used the mirror to represent Hedda’s second image. I really enjoyed the part in the second stanza where you commented that Hedda reflected what others wanted to see and not her true self. My question is now whether this reflected image was one she maintained herself or one that others imagined? The last stanza reminded me of light which can be taken as a symbol of hope or enlightenment.
Adrian,
DeleteI really like your comparison of Hedda to a mirror. When you mentioned that hedda was a mirror, "never showing my true reflection" it made me look at her character differently than I had originally portrayed it. I used to think Hedda refused to open up and despised the world she lived in, as if she were above all. But, after reading your poem, I've come to understand that Hedda could also be like a person with multiple deceptive facades that act as a mask to protect her true self.
Adrian,
DeleteI really like your understanding of Hedda as a mirror. I agree that she does always show others one they wanted to see instead of what she really is or feels. For your last stanza, I feel as if she wants to break out of this mirror and be herself because a mirror doesn't really have control. I wonder if this is what you were aiming for?
Nora:
ReplyDeleteI sit
Wings to my sides
Perched upon a ledge in my cage
I sing
Loudly and clearly
because that is what my owner likes to hear
I am nothing to myself
but everything to my owner
Until one day I realize I am nothing
I hope to vanish and spread my wings
The destination is not of importance
As long as I'm out of my cage.
Victoria,
DeleteI really liked the style of this poem; I found it to be really image evoking. I'm curious about the second line in the third stanza "everything to my owner". Did you mean to say that Torvald really treasured her for who she was or for the position she fulfilled? I also thought it was interesting that you used the word "hope" in the last stanza as if Nora didn't have the ability to free herself and could only wish for her freedom. In this case, it sounds like freedom is her main motive rather than a need to find herself.
Victoria,
DeleteI liked the way you described Nora like a bird in a cage, because Nora really does not have control over her life throughout most of the story. The bird and owner relationship shows the sociological husband and wife relationship between Nora and Torvald, because Nora is constantly controlled by her husband. However, I was wondering how a bird, as you described, would do things secretly for the owner’s benefit or its own pleasure? Like how Nora does a few things behind Torvald’s back (eating macarons, getting a loan..etc).
Trini
Victoria,
DeleteI particularly like how you present a metaphor for the building up of and shattering of illusions. Nora, as a bird, is portrayed as being selfless ("nothing to [her]self") for the sake of satisfying her owner. However, despair kicks in when she realizes that she was never as appreciated as she thought she was.
I find it particularly interesting how in the last stanza, there is the desire to "vanish and spread [her] wings". Although in context they may seem to lead to the same result (i.e. not being in her "cage"), one is a desire to simply stop existing while the other is to take action. One is of resignation, and the other is of defiance.
Victoria,
DeleteI think your comparison of Nora as a bird was excellent. I also thought of her as a house pet and I think the key to this metaphor is that she does whatever the owner (Helmer) tells her to do and that she wants to escape whenever she can. I really liked the style of the beginning of your stanzas and it can be seen that as she developed more independence, her actions are more advanced than just sitting and singing.
Medea:
ReplyDeleteIn a world where thunder follows lightening,
Wind comes before the storm,
The weather strikes unpredictably,
In a vengeance, in a glee for destruction
Unknown or misunderstood,
No one knows.
I am the weather.
In the world I live,
Sometimes cursed, sometimes venerated
It is all the same to me.
Lightening comes before thunder,
A storm follows the wind,
I will strike as I may or might.
Be wary…
Because even sunshine will burn
The wise will heed that whisper of warning.
It sounds like an Armageddon might happen any time soon.... But nevertheless, I believe the weather is a great comparison to Medea as she is not only a demi-god, but also the revenge that clouds her creates an uncertainty, especially to Jason and his new family. Though could you elaborate on who is 'the wise' at the very end because it sort of contradicted the last line in the first stanza, 'No one knows.'?
DeleteNora Helmer:
ReplyDeleteContinuously following the trainer’s commands,
Acting with love, Roaring with fierce,
Under the 46 feet tall tent.
Audiences clap as they see the loving relationship
Between Him and me.
But that is not it. Not the truth.
During the last trainings of the show,
I got whipped and whipped and whipped
Without any rewards, without any love.
I realized then, this is not in my nature.
Yes, freedom and wild is.
A tiger’s true place.
Trini,
DeleteI really liked how you didn't state the object of your extended metaphor until the last line. And I found the comparison of Nora to a tiger to be interesting because it puts her in the position of a very strong and powerful animal that has been confined. My own interpretation didn't have Nora as being such a strong character nor did I think that her actions and life was so perfectly dictated and orchestrated by Torvald.
Trini,
DeleteI find it interesting that you chose a tiger to compare with Nora (at first I thought this would be about Hedda) since I personally don't see her as a character who is particularly fierce or powerful. However, I see how the tiger's lack of rewards is like how Nora never gets what she truly wants - Helmer loving her and rescuing her. Also, the tiger performing for an audience is comparable to Nora's putting on a role as Helmer's wife. I also think that the tiger wanting to break free in the last stanza is similar to what Nora experiences at the end of the play, where she yearns for some type of independence, free from the constraints of society's construction of a marriage.
I felt like part of my brain, somewhere in the frontal lobe, opened. Reading your poem was really powerful and I didn't ever see the representation of a tiger and a trainer being compared to Nora coming. No hindsight bias. After seeing how Nora gets whipped in secret to be trained to smile in public, the cones have been added to the rods of my eyes. I now see in color.
DeleteTrini,
DeleteI think you can clearly see the feminist side to this situation. Because many interpretations may show how Nora is clearly the underdog and should be acting according to the female stereotype, this poem shows the opposite. You interpreted Nora as both a strong and weak person because she was able to stand up to her owner, but also got "whipped" many times. You portrayed many aspects of Nora's personality and her actions within the play.
Hi Trini,
DeleteI think this is a very interesting metaphor and creates much insight towards the relationship dynamic between Nora and Helmer. I think your poem elevated the relationship that we believe existed between them to another level. From a human to human interaction spawned a animal to human reaction and from our prospective, it is easy to stipulate which of the two is the inferior. Also, the poem encompasses the story entirely and to a great effect as shown in the last stanza when the tiger chooses to break free.^_^
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ReplyDeleteNora
ReplyDeleteA caged bird, most helpless and suppressed being.
Behind the wires it jumped from end to end
But found its attempts fruitless
For it is still in the cage.
He comes by occasionally to check up on it
It never starves yet it is never full
It is never noticed and never heard
Although it chirps helplessly and continuously.
Under his eye it is forever confined
But when he turns his back, it becomes its own soul.
It works stealthily when he is not looking
For he cannot know of its work behind his back.
It buried its beak into the bottom of the cage,
Its beak chipped and cracked
But it is all worth the pain and lies
Because now at least she can fly.
I love how succinct the poem is to the story of the Doll's House. It follows the Doll's House or rather Nora's emotional transition in four concise stanzas. I think the metaphor with the bird is very appropriate in context with Nora as Helmer calls Nora "my little bird" and as an outer appearance, Nora likes to sing and dance to songs. The analogy really brings out the emptiness or the need for more fulfillment in Nora's life with something tangible like a bird wanting to fly. I like the "cracked and chipped beak" part, I think it helps others understand why she might have chose to leave Helmer. Lots of tiny details that make this a really well put analogy/metaphor.
DeleteI really like the poem you've constructed and how you've related Nora to a caged bird. In the second stanza when you mention that the owner comes to check on it, he never gives it his full attention or love. I think this metaphor is very witty because it accurately portrays how Helmer never really realized that he didn't give Nora his all. And by the time the bird gained enough determination to break through the cage, the bird has lost an important part of its life, but the realization of freedom is evident.
DeleteNora
ReplyDeleteA book can be judged by its cover.
Opinions change based on the judge,
And the truth about someone is revealed.
There was one motive –
However misinterpreted by many.
The many plot twists come unexpected
A book also renders different responses
Based on the context in which it was read.
Right or wrong? There is none.
The ending –
The unexpected and non-traditional,
But one of self-worth and personal rights.
I think it is interesting that Nora is being compared to a book, which has the plot format like that of A Doll's House. I can definitely see the comparison of "misinterpreted by many", it really pulls at the idea that if what meaning we get out of books is a reflection of ourselves, who is it to say that what meaning or judgments we get out of people's actions is not also a reflection of ourselves. This analogy really draws at the clash people have about Nora: feminism, anti feminism.. etc. The really interesting part is the analogy with "The ending-", it seems to allude that there is a conclusion being drawn that Nora, regardless of being a feminist character or not, is a human, with human problems of "self worth and personal rights". Quite an intricate and cryptic analogy.
DeleteFrom your interpretation, it seems like Nora is the book and she has many ways of being interpreted. This is interesting because I felt like Nora also didn't understand herself completely. The first stanza also stood out to me since it shows a great comparison to Nora's situation when Helmer finds out about her secret. Do you think Helmer's judgement about Nora changed like the book? I felt like Nora changed more than Helmer when the truth is revealed.
DeleteHi Grace
DeleteI think this is a very interesting comparison. Comparing to a Nora to a book and developing it into a text that is capable of extolling different reactions and interpretations is a great way to describe Nora. Just like the social context of her time, the often misconception is one of feminism. The idea that this play exhibits feminism and celebrates it change from person to person, or as you said, judge to judge. Hence, i believe this speaks to more than just Nora as a character but the literature to an extent as well.
(´･ω･`)
Nora is an ice cube trapped inside a freezer. Initially bounded to a purpose of simply pleasing others, an ice cube will melt and want to discover once taken out of the fridge. Nora’s incident moved her from her comfortable place as a mother, to one where she’s threatened to lose her husband. An Ice cube is similar in that it faces a threat of melting when taken out of the refrigerator, but it has a strong sense to move after it melts and discover its own unique properties.
ReplyDeleteJeffrey,
DeleteI think your choice of metaphor is really interesting and different. In comparing Nora to an ice cube, it is as if she's been taken out of her comfort zone and forced to adapt to other environments (Helmer's household/marriage life) when she clearly is losing herself by being "out of place". I can see how Nora would gradually become weaker/less herself when faced with challenges and threats such as her secret being exposed and Helmer getting angry about the money loan. I wonder if after Nora has "melted", or once she chooses to leave her children and husband behind, is she stronger/weaker/still the same (melted ice cube implying that it's turned into liquid state)?
The metaphor of an ice cube in the freezer is quite interesting as it reflects Nora's original position of not knowing any better and being unaware of her potential. Although there are many reasons for Nora to feel discomfort, her realization for her husband's lack of love prompts her to break free from her (f)rigid form. The transition from a comfortable yet limited environment to one of unpredictable freedom is well represented through the of exiting the freezer. It makes you wonder perhaps how many people are still living in the metaphorical freezer.
DeleteJeffrey, I think your metaphor is super unique and gave me a perspective I would've never came up with on my own. However, I don't quite understand what you mean by it wanting to "discover". I wonder if Nora/the ice cube can become strong as before when going back to the house/refreezing.
DeleteFeared by many that recognizes it. Cancer is uncontrollable and unpredictable, just like Medea. Both are caused by some reaction, one is based on DNA mutations (due to the “neglect” of the DNA polymerase) the other is abandoned and neglected by a man. Though cancer is emotionless it is easy to see how a simple trigger can create the most divesting effects. Once set in motions Medea will destroy anything around her that ultimately helps her goal of revenge, no matter the consequences. At the end there is nothing left but death and anguish- with one exception: an immortalized Medea.
ReplyDelete-Helen
Helen, I love your metaphor. I feel like cancer cells perfectly describes Medea's uncontrollable destructive behavior. I like how you took every aspect of a cancer cell and reflected it to Medea's personality traits. I could not agree more with this metaphor, it captures Medea's extreme ambition clearly and concisely.
DeleteHedda is like a rose. Beautiful on the outside but harmful once someone gets a hold of it. The dark red color of the rose petals represent her beauty and seductiveness towards those who love flowers. But, the darkness of the petals also suggest the evil and malicious side of her which is only half shown on the surface. The spikes the stem represent how easily she can harm and hurt someone badly, the heartless personality is reflected through her evidently evil appearance. Whoever is in favor of her will try to reach for her, but once their hand touches it's stem, they end up bleeding and find that there is no way to get a hold of it easily. Those who decide to get rid of the spikes will come to realize that it will create even more pain to try to get rid of the spikes and by the time the spikes are getting rid of, the dark red petals have already withered.
ReplyDeleteHedda is like a candle because she wishes to be an independent woman no one wants to mess with. This is how she’s like fire – her flame is seemingly untouchable. She puts up a defensive guard that most people may think is hard to strike down, like how most people do not know how to play with fire. However, when you understand that a candle’s flame is pretty small and harmless and that its appearance is deceiving, it can be easily blown out, just like how Hedda can be easily manipulated psychologically.
ReplyDeleteMedea ( medical marijuana)
ReplyDeleteThe smoke to your high,
A prescribed mandate,
Your addiction, your love,
reciprocated salvation
Suppressed and Silence,
Over and done,
Grand arches to a gilded kingdom,
A gateway.
A pound too soon,
A mile too late,
An abysmal cycle,
An imagined ecstasy
A tainted fantasy and
A happily never after