Conclusion Paragraph

Camus' seemingly simple writing style effectively plays with the emotions of the reader throughout the entire novel. While leaving it up to the readers' to see past the short and neutral sentences, Camus attempts to illustrate a truly complex side of Meursault that evolves over the span of the text. Camus' unique writing style represents the voice of Meursalt as narrator, and serves as the readers' direct way into the emotions of the protagonist.  Camus truly tests his readers with his novel The Stranger, and provides the perfect example for how style can directly effect the characters's emotions within. 

Intro Paragraph

Many people have more depth than they seem to, and Meursault in Camus’ The Stranger provides an excellent example. The protagonist is initially difficult for a reader to care about, because he seems emotionless and simplistic. Camus creates this impression through his writing style, which stands in for Meursault’s voice, since the protagonist is also the narrator. Camus’ seemingly simple writing style effectively plays with the emotions of the reader throughout the novel; the reader is forced to look past the short, neutral sentences in order to understand the true complexity in Meursault that Camus is attempting to reveal.

Body Paragraph draft

(A start-this idea)

       Camus writes the novel in a unique style that appears to be very simple. His use of short and choppy sentences throughout the novel creates a simple first impression for readers while masking the true complexity of the work. With every simple, short description, Camus hides a much more important and elaborate meaning behind it. In other words, readers initially may feel that Camus writes the novel in a very vague and simple form, when really it is the exact opposite and Camus leaves it up to them to decipher his true intentions. This style of writing definitely makes the novel an easier read, but at the same time may not appeal to readers if they do not detect the more complex ideas behind the short and choppy sentences. On the other hand, if readers are able to see past the short descriptions and understand Camus' bigger ideas, they will be more engaged in the novel. Camus uses this technique in order to make his readers think more, while connected more with the characters and situations occurring throughout the novel.




 - add 2 quotes -short choppy sentence-description of character/event

First Essay Outline

Topic (for now-still tweaking it): Camus' writing style and how that affects Meursalt's emotions/how readers perceive them

Body 1: 

Possibly talk about the writing style 

- short choppy sentences

- readers may see it as simple writing, when really its very complex

- how it actually is complex; hidden meanings/details

- what does this writing style do in general to readers/is it effective

Body 2:

How Camus uses this writing style to convey the changes in Meursalt's emotions

- Meursalt's emotions are very important as he seems disconnected/without emotions

- How does Camus use writing style to capture shift in Meursalt's emotions throughout the novel

- At times in beggining Meursalt seemed without emotions/didnt care abotu certain things then we see him open up more-talk about how Camus uses writing style to capture this aspect

Working Thesis (obviously general but its a start so if i change my topic up a little I can use this idea still) : Camus' seemingly simple writing style effectively plays with the emotions of Meursalt throughout the novel; his readers are forced to look past the short sentences in order to understand the true complex details Camus is attempting to reveal.

Stranger Essay

After thinking a lot about a possible essay topic I'm a little stuck but have a few ideas that I want to try and put together possibly or maybe I will end up going with one of these alone.

I like the whole idea of writing an essay on the writing Style of Camus, because I really do think that affects not only the plot and narration but how the readers perceive certain events. I would be very interested in trying to find another topic that I could incorporate into this idea, so I am leaning towards something along those lines. I think after blogging already once about Camus' choppy writing style and possible hidden deatails, I could actually develop an essay off of this main idea, with some more work and other ideas to go with it.

Another idea that I could develop the essay on, and possibly combine it with the writing style and how that affects it, is the emotions of Meursalt and how they change throughout the novel .  

Translators Notes

Matthew Ward expresses the idea of trying to make a complex man appear simple through sentences. Camus writes with very short and choppy descriptions of events, which initially gives off a very simple nature in his writing o readers. But really, Camus' writing is not very simple at all, as slough it appears o be short and simple, there are more complex and important meanings to his descriptions hidden behind those short sentences. Camus attempts to use this "simple" writing in order to reveal much more deep and complex things underneath. Ward writes that this simple text at Camus uses is really only apparent and a disguise. It truly is a disguise for much more complex writing behind it.  Trough this type of writing, Camus creates a sort of  monotonous tone that readers look past.

Camus writing style

I saw a very clear difference in Camus' writing style and both Kafka's and Conrad's. Camus writes very simple and direct. His sentences are not really so choppy, but still it seems as If he does alot of just listing events. He see,s disconnectd and that is very clear through his descriptions of events or people. Honestly in some ways, is style to me is a little more boring than the others, but it allows for an easy read since the sentences are so simple. Camus seems almost emotionless at any points inhis descriptions. This is his own way of narrating and it has a unique effect on nthe readers for sure. His writing style also really intrigues me because althoughhe writes in such simple descriptive sentences, he uses great detail actually for little things that readers may possibly see as useless.

Open Vs Genesis

      Genesis and open both have significant language and tone that differ and appeal to their group of readers in different ways. Genesis is unique in the sense that it is written with parallel language throughout the entire passage. Every single paragraph starts with "and god said" and then is followed by a quote from god all starting with the word "let." The repetition of this phrase helps affir, gods authority and power over the world. It shows that god is the creator of this world and has had the final say in everything. The first quote, "let there be light, and ther was light" proves gods power completely. It illustrates the fact that whatever god says to, as he says there will be light, then there is light. Genesis is geared towards appealing a religious audience or people thAt seek knowledge on how the world was created in a religious sense.

       Open is much different than genesis as the language is much more casual and therefore heard towards appealing to a much different audience. Open is a autobiography so it is written from a very personal. Andre Agassi speaks to the audience with a very personal tone in order to really reveal his true emotions about his career and tennis. Agassi writes in very choppy sentences, which helps create that personal and casual feel, as if he were In an actual conversation with person. This writing technique helps the book appeal to a much different audience than that of genesis; open's audience is a younger one as well as many tennis players and athletes who are interested into diving into themind of one of the greatest players of all time.

Genesis/Darwin

The text of the Genesis and Darwin himself are both different in their tones. Genesis illustrates God listing short commands. It is made up of very choppy sentences, in a more simplistic manner than the text of Darwin. God's power and dominance is conveyed through the simple commands making up Genesis, as every sentence also begins with the word "let." In genesis, there is no question of God's commands, they are the answers. These commands and language confirm God's authority as the creator of the entire world. On the other hand, Darwin's writing is much more complex than that of Genesis. Darwin explores his ideas through a much more scientific approach, and mosty likely attracts intellectual readers more often. He displays his idea of natural selection and the survival of the fittest, and provides readers with a scientific take on evolution and the creation of our world. I personally enjed reading Genesis much more than the Darwin piece, because it was a much easier read and i didnt get lost at all. Darwin's writing is very complex and scientific and can be boring at times. The list of God's commands in Genesis go much quicker than the writing of Darwin.

Metamorphosis Graphic novel

Reading the graphic novel was a very interesting experience for me. I actually enjoyed it alot more than  just reading and it went by so quick. I finished the entire novel in about 20 minutes and i never lost interest. It was also cool to see it in a different way after reading the entire novel already and knowing what happens. I really liked using the graphic novel and I hope we get to do it again!

Writing in class assignment

I think the ending if metaphorphasis was interesting, but disappointing at the same time. The whole novel I was kind of hoping fr a happy and hopeful ending that would display Gregor undergo another miraculous transformation back into a human. Unfortunately, that was not the case at all. The end if the novel has Gregor dying, in the same bug form. Kafka does not go for a happy ending at all as Gregor ends his life as a bug. I think the ending is also very ironic in the sense that the Samsa family's life seems to get better with Gregor gone. While he was alive, Gregor gave everything for his family and always put them before anything else. He worked a job that he absolutely hated in order to support the family as well as pay off his parents' debt, and did everything he could to support them. All that hard work and dedication to his family never was appreciated by his parents, who selfishly did not understand that without Gregor, their lives would be much worse. After Gregor's death, his parents carry on with their lives and have the maid dispose of the body. Gregor's body is thrown out like he meant nothing to the family, even though he did everything for each member to help however he could. It seems almost as if Gregor's parents believe their lives have gotten much better following the death of their son as a bug, even though they always needed Gregor but just never appreciated what he meant to everyone in the family. They didn't undertsnd that even when he was a bug, Gregor still wanted to find any way to help his family, even though his parents couldn't stand it. I think the last word in the novel "body" is interesting because it connects to the first line on the first page. The novel opens up with a statement explaining that Gregor has transformed into a bug, and ends witha statement claiming his sister has stood up to stretch out her body. Unlike Gregor after he turned not s bug, his sister is able to stretch out her legs and body since she is a human physically. Although Gregor transformed into a bug and was not able to move his body like a human physically, he still remained a human on the inside but couldn't show it enough.

Metamporphasis

I thoguht the end of the book was okay. Gregor dies and its not really how I expected the book to end. At gfirst when i started reading this book in class, i thought somehow maybe Gregor would transform back into a human being, but I was wrong. After Gregor dies, the family does a lot to make their lives better. I think its ironic because when Gregor was alive, he honestly gave everything for his family and put them before him, and they never appreciated his help. Now, after Gregor has died, their lives are better to them, which doesnt make sense at all.

In class assignment

I am actually really happy with my writing this year and how it's continued to improve. I've definitely gotten better with formulating ideas and narrowing several ideas into one specific topic. For me, the easiest essay to write was the Austen essay. I think that may have been my best essay and was probably the easiest one for me to narrow down my ideas into one clear and specific topic. I think the hamlet essay turned out really well for me, but when thinking of my ideas for the topic, I was really lost. I had a lot f ideas and didn't really know how I could put it all into one topic, but finally it hit me and from there the writing came to me and was pretty easy. By far e hardest essay for me to write is year though was the Conrad essay. Maybe it's the fact that heart of darkness was a very hard read for e or maybe just because I couldn't initially narrow my ideas with Freud into one specific topic that related to heart of darkness. After I started writing though, I think my essay did turn out well it was just harder for me for sure. I ink I need to continue working on coming up with specific ideas and working on my thesis as well, and that will definitely help ,e alot as I go to college.

Metamorphasis

Still, money and his work continues to be the biggest priority in Gregor's life. He works to support his family and even though he hates working at his job, he still does it and takes on that responsibility for his family. He does find out that his parents did save some money though, so thats good. Gregor listens to his parents talk around the house as he hides sohe hears them talk about money and the ecxonomic situation. He has started to adapt more to this new life as a bug but he continues to try and live his old life and help his family.

Metamorphosis

Its very clear that Gregor really values success and money, as he is very determined to make a good living with his job. He dooes not even like his job but will not quit because he really needs it. After he has somehow turned into a large bug, he strongly fears losing his job. It seems like he cares more about keeping his job which he really does not like, and making money, than his own health.

Socratic Discussion

I thought the discussion went really well and i enjoyed it a lot. I thought it was very interesting doing it in two seperate groups and i actually liked this even more and thought it was more effective because i was able to receive feedback/critique on my discussion and I also was able to give the same for the other group. We should definitely do it like this again soon!!

Body 2

(Need to be longer/more examples but heres what i have so far)

Marlow’s reactions and thoughts about the character of Kurtz set Kurtz up as a model for what happens when the id takes over. Conrad illustrates Marlow's true attitude towards Kurtz and his actions influenced by the id which constratsts with his attitude when observing the natives. Unlike the fear and disgust Marlow felt when seeing the natives act, he is deeply fascinated by Kurtz and his un-explanatory actions stemming from the id. Each time Kurtz behaves in an interesting manner or irrational way, Marlow is drawn closer to Kurtz and only wants to see and learn more. When Marlow tells the readers that Kurtz has "gone back in the dugout" (39), Conrad has provided the readers with a perfect example of what happens when the id takes over. The behavior Kurtz is involved with is irrational and un explainable, and that is exactly what the id is. The id will inevitably take over in situations even when one does not want to, and Conrad affectively displays Freud's theory of the id and human behavior through Kurtz and the fascination he brings on Marlow.

Body 1

A Start-obviously want to make stronger, longer, more specific, more examples: (changed up my topic to make more specific)

Conrad’s descriptions of the African natives, through Marlow, provide powerful examples and images associated with the id. Marlow's attitude towards the native Africans can best be classified with fear, and disgust. He observes their "barbaric" behavior and what they go through and immediately makes assumptions and observations about them. Marlow's thoughts and observations of the natives is a perfect example of the id controlling man and his motives unintentionally; the id represents the drive, or impulse that man gets to act on situations without really thinking rationally. Conrad provides us with a perfect example of irrational thinking through Marlow and how that is driven by the id. Marlow describes the natives with "spears in their hands, with bows, with shields, with wild glances and savage movements.." (72). Conrad conveys the id driving man's thoughts and voice with this situation; Marlow speaks abotu the natives as if they are animals or creatures, and speaks irrationally without realizing or thinking through his thoughts and actions. The id drives one's actions and may act as the more dominating source of thinking, and Conrad illustrates this Freudian theory through Marlow's descriptions of the African natives.

Intro Paragraph

       Conrad's Heart of Darkness follows the protagonist, Marlow, on his long journey up the Congo river. Conrad explores the darkness that is unleashed on his trip and that Marlow encounters. Freud's philosophy on the natural darkness that all man has within seems to appear throughout the novel, and Conrad continues to illustrate this to readers. Trhough Conrad's novel, he continues to remind readers of Freud's ideas on man; the naturally dark side of man and urge to dominate with power seems inevitable and Conrad illustrates this Freudian beleif throughout his novel.

Essay

I'm still not sure exactly what I want my question to be, but I am basi it off Freud and the inevitable darkness in man that is repressed naturally by civilization and how that power is unleashed when entering the heart of darkness

Murfin

Murfin claims that people act off their self-conscious self. I really beleive trhis is true in alot of cases, because its so common for someone to do something, and then claim they "werent thinking." Depending on the situation, people will do certain things without thinking in order to gain success, or anything aelse that may benefit them, even if the action or decision is not trational at all. Murfin underlines this point and i think its a very true aspect of our civilization today.

Heart of Darkness End

Im not really sure how i feel about the ending. The whole book to me was pretty confusing at times and the end really was too. Marlow seeks Kurtz "intended" at the end of the novel and i thought it was pretty confusing and didnt really give us that many answers. I'm not sure about what will happen to Marlow now in Africa or what will happen, so I think the novel opens up alot of discussion on the ending.

Heart of darkness

I continue to see more examples of Freud's philosophy on man and how he has a natural dark side. Instead of the text saying "a black man" it says a "black figure." this characterization of an African American man is an example of Freud's philosophy because he is not characterized as a human, and it proves the unfair treatment African Americans went through.

Heart of Darkness

We see some more Freud philosophy in this reading specifically when discussing 'mules.' The raider talks about mules being shipped and eventually dying out, which can clearly represent slaves. Slaves are like the mules, in that they are shipped to eventually just die out. This proves Freud's idea that man has a dark side that wants to dominate and rule, and it is expressed through the cruel treatment of slaves in Africa.

Heart of Darkness hw

Readers are seeing more and more evidence of Freud's philosophy that man has a naturally dark side urging him to seek dominance and power. The events reflecting this aspect of man seem to be even more extreme now, as readers see the boat attacked and several men killed. Personally, I think after discussing Freud the past week, I am noticing even more aspects of the novel that are directly connected to Freud ideas.

Heart of Darkness

I think Kurtz is a very interesting and important character. He is portrayed as a powerful person by natives and i think there is yet another clear connection to Freud's idea of man's natural domineering urge. Throughout the novel, i see more and more symbols of darkness and connections to Freud's philosophy as well. The novel continues to get more interesting as I keep reading.

Heart of Darkness hw

The novel is getting a little more interesting in my oppinion now. We see an interesting event happen withj the Eldorado Exploring Expedition. Their fate is not important it seems and is definitely unknown but a connection appears as nature will determinate the fates of each person.

Freud and Heart of Darkness (Conrad) PRESENTATION

Freud and the novel Heart of darkness can be directly connected through that darkness mentioned in the novel's title. Freud firmly believes that man has a dark, and evil side, and this so called darkness is brought up throughout the novel as a major theme. Freud claims this 'dark' side of man is driven by the urge to dominate, survive, or succeed. He illustrates this idea as something that cannot be just stopped or prevented, as it is basically inevitable.


Darkness is a theme right away in the novel, making a connection to Freud's idea that man naturally has a dark side: Marlow says, "And this also has been one of the dark places of the earth"; Already, on page 6 of the novel, we see the theme of darkness illustrated. Although it doesnt exactly capture Freud's philosophy and view on man, a connection can still be made; Marlow claims this has been a very dark place for man, and Freud sees a natural evil or dark side in man's nature. Readers can already see the dark nature that Freud illustrates  in the setting that Marlow sets.


Another  key example in which Freud's philosophy is embodied in Heart of Darkness: The slavery in Africa. The way that the africans are treated connects to Freud's view that man's dark side urges him to express power and dominance.

Freud's philosophy

Freud beleives that man is naturally bad and it is up to society to improve him. H eonly points out the darkside of man's nature with no exceptions. Heart of Darkness conveys the theme of darkness, so we see Freud's philosophy throughout the novel. Marlow is a perfect example to relate to Freud's philosphy, as we see his dark and evil nature when dealing with the slaves in Africa. According to Freud, because this evil nature is natural in man, it is inevitable and can not be avoided by man from the start

Heart of Darkness 3

As i continue to progress through this novel, I see more and more irony and sarcasm pop up. This is an interesting and unique technique used by the narrator. I, as well as other readers, have to make sure I pay attention to the context when the narrator speaks because some may be fooled when he uses sarcasm, and does not really mean what he writes. The book continues to seem interesting and this aspect used by the narrator definitely gives the novel a unique twist.

Heart of darkness

Still, we see a unique story drawing out. The tone continues to foreshadow events happening in the future of the novel. We sactUally begin to see more of a story rather than just setting descriptions with a calm nd sad tone.  Personally, I have not really gotten into this novel yet has a slow begginings and not much action so far, but I hunk as I continue reading I think that will definitely change.

Heart of Darkness Opening

The beginning of this novel can be described with one word: calm. This isn't a typical modern start to a novel with some huge event. Instead, the mood and stage are set with descriptions of the outdoors. I believe the descriptions actually set a sort of dark and sad tone, which could foreshadow the rest of the novel. The opening scene of this novel doesn't necessarily make as much sense as a lot of other novels' because there is not a lot of drama or action going on, but instead it gives readers the opportunity to make assumptions and guess what will happen. It has a mysterious tone that definitely foreshadows something bad may happen as the novel progresses.