Falling Man

I’ve been thinking a lot about the concept of framing as I’ve been reading Falling Man. One scene that stands out the most in my mind is when Lianne confronts Elena about her music. This is not only a verbal confrontation, but also a physical one. Lianne’s anger and prejudices build up throughout the book, but can be especially seen through her reactions to Elena’s music. Even though she does not know the exact origins of the music she concludes that they are of an “Islamic tradition” (DeLillo 67). I questioned Lianne’s knowledge of Middle Eastern cultures because it sounded like she was merely putting Elena and her music into a box. Not to mention, she talks about those who follow the Islamic tradition as “them” and says that “they” are all alike in their prayers (DeLillo 68). One of the most crucial parts of framing is diminishing individuality, which Lianne does here. She not only stereotypes the “different” music but she then makes assumptions about Elena and her (perhaps) “people.” Lianne has an air of superiority around her assumptions and “knowledge” of people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Though we don’t know Lianne’s entire life story, one can speculate that 9/11 further provoked Lianne’s need to frame specific people.

Lianne’s thoughts become more superior when she brings privilege and class into the picture. On page 68 she reflects that Elena and whomever she lives with doesn’t own, but they rent their apartment like “people in the Middle ages” (DeLillo 68). What if Elena is barely making rent? What is Elena and her family can’t get sufficient jobs based on their appearances, beliefs, or race? There is little we find out about Elena in this section of the book and we certainly know that Lianne knows nothing about her, other than what she has framed her as. By making this comment, Lianne’s lack of empathy turns into harsh criticism. She is saying that “they” don’t own their place like she does because she is privileged and is in an efficient financial position.

Framing can take also take a physical form. When Lianne goes to Elena’s apartment she describes her appearance. Elena is literally framed by her doorway in her “tailored jeans and sequined T-shirt” (DeLillo 119). Even her dog is framed at a certain point in the archway. Marko, Elena’s dog, is said quickly described my Lianne as “a hundred and thirty pounds, black, with deep fur and webbed feet” (DeLillo 119). I really like how Elena and Lianne are standing in two different dimensions: one in the hallway and the other in between their abode and hallway. I think it shows the separation between American and “other” cultures, white and people of color, Lianne and Elena. Lianne even uses “we” as if she and the other residents have agreed the music was too loud. I saw this as self-affirmation that she was right and it makes Lianne’s argument sound more legitimate.

Lastly, I want to focus on acceptable or appropriate post-9/11 behavior. Did any of you think it was offensive that Elena was playing her music after 9/11? Do you think she was purposefully trying to aggravate people? Elena says the music gives her “peace” and the neighbors haven’t approached her about its loudness (DeLillo 119). Do you think Elena is entitled to listen to something that calms her after 9/11? What does this show about Lianne? Lianne’s repetition of the word “circumstances” is something that Elena does not agree with. I think this can be read a number of different ways but I think Elena isn’t “ultrasensitive” in the way Lianne is about 9/11 (DeLillo 120). I think that there is a possibility that Elena can be framed in this scene as apathetic or separated from the entire event, as if she’s an enemy or doing wrong. It is not just the music that drives Lianne’s anger; it’s merely a catalyst.

The Boondocks

The Boondocks is a hilarious and satirical cartoon. The episode we watched in class lightened the heavy weight I have feel when thinking about Hurricane Katrina’s destruction. One aspect that struck me the most was how accurate the shows interpretation of the news was. In this episode, a white woman from News 5 is quickly and unexpectedly interviewing Robert Freeman about his recent sheltering of Katrina refugees. She asks Robert, “What do you hope to get out of this?” Robert responds, “Not a damn thing.” The reporter mistakes this as selflessness instead of heated selfishness. She is so caught up in her own unaware, ignorant world that she cannot detect the true story happening in Robert’s house. The news and media often does that.

News 5 seems to linger outside of Robert’s house. They return when Robert is about to kick the refugees out of the house and the same news reporter frames him as a jerk. This was funny to watch because here we have the juxtaposition of the news, which portrays inaccurate information and is not helping with Katrina, and a man who is sheltering refugees even though he doesn’t entirely want to. This reflects the injustices that occurred after Katrina hit, and perhaps even now still.

The second example of News 5’s stalking behavior is when they report the “drug related crime” which obviously means, “the crime rate is rising.” It’s not a coincidence the camera was filming Robert, Uncle Ruckus, and another man of color. Again, this mirrors the present day news and the obsession with crime, what groups of people are focused on, and the faultiness of the news. Uncle Ruckus is also a good parallel to the news because he is outwardly racist, while the news can be subtler. He truly believes that he is white and he is the physical form of racism.

Despite the humor in The Boondocks, I thought that they did a great job at portraying the fears of the refugees. Robert panics the refugees when he says they have to evacuate. In conclusion, the refugees scream and run and end up sitting on the roof. Robert now has to fix a hole in his roof that they made, their escape route. This put the anxieties of refugees into perspective for me. It’s a different experience to read a memoir or book, like Chris Rose, about Katrina refugees being depressed, drinking excessively, and having Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Even though this was a cartoon, which can make emotions and moments less emotional, it really hit me. It’s so different for me to see even cartoon characters fleeing to the roof and breaking a hole in the roof. The stress and fears that some refugees now have can be hard to grasp for me.

The question we discussed during class, about when it’s okay to make something serious funny, has been resonating in my head. Even more so after I read The Falling Man by Tom Junod. Junod talks in his article about an artist named Eric Fischl who scultpted a large bronze state entitled Tumbling Woman. He wanted to redeem all the jumpers on 9/11 and this is what the statue reflects: a woman who appears to be falling through space. When this was exhibited people had very negative reactions and it has to be taken out of the exhibition. Fischl even received bomb threats, which I thought was just ridiculously dark. I can understand people being offended and not ready to face something that emotionally triggering, and may even get the wrong idea, but a bomb threat after 9/11? Seriously? That’s just sinking to a new level of extreme and viciousness, especially after the loss of the Twin Towers. I personally think that The Boondocks was enjoyable to watch and it feels that there’s been “enough time” to be able to joke about the horrid event.

Alternate Routes Please

One small story. Many small stories make a big story (Rose 179).

Richard Misrach’s photographs of the Katrina aftermath are disturbing. By this I mean that they provoke deeper emotions and thoughts about Katrina. In 1 Dead In Attic we have read examples of these signs, but having the visuals change how I personally read the story. This sign. Wasn’t that and isn’t that still the question for refugees and survivors of Hurricane Katrina? What now?

Chris Rose can only capture an extent of experiences that arose from Hurricane Katrina. It is evident in this book that Rose resides in a nice part of town but he remains empathetic to Louisiana the entire time. He is not ignorant to the segregation, racism, injustice, and abandonment that Katrina has highlighted. Despite most of the stories being from his perspective, Rose uses metaphors and symbolism to show that his anxieties are not isolated, they have spread like a disease to refugees around him.

The two columns that I felt spoke to one another were Songs in the Key of Strife and The Cat Lady. In Songs in the Key of Strife Chris Rose, still depressed from the sights and emotions in Louisiana, finds himself losing interest in his old hobbies. He continuously works around the clock producing articles about Katrina. He finds life in playing piano and is determined to purchase one on his day off, which his boss makes him take. Rose goes to a piano shop he finds in the phone book, only to discover that Bitsie Werlein’s pianos have “marinated for weeks in Katrina Stew” (197). Not giving up, Rose enters another musical store and instead of enjoying the piano shopping experience he finds a “sad song” (198). He sits at a piano listening to a broken customer telling his story about post-Katrina. The second article is quite different from the first and focuses on Ellen Montgomery, a loner cat lady. She remains in her house throughout the storm and survives with all 34 cats. Unlike Rose, Ellen remains in her sheltered world of reality and sustains a tolerable peace of mind. Rose reflects that she has not necessarily perceived the entirety of the Katrina wreckage and is out of touch with the world around her. The differences and similarities between these two articles critique the universal needs of escapism and resiliency.

Rose’s article about the piano experience shows that he is unable to escape his post-Katrina reality. Some through alcohol and medication and even suicide has achieved escapism, but Rose seeks a piano. The piano becomes the symbol of the broken house/family and a memory of the liveliness of Louisiana through music. Though he does not get his “groove back” he discovers that he cannot “escape the storm” because someone is always telling their Katrina story about loses and pain (Rose 198). This is what Rose believes everyone needs: a listener because grief is everywhere. His experience in the second piano store shows the rapidity and surge of stories that come his way, which he incorporates into his articles. Rose is so submerged in the world around him that he is easily consumed by intense emotions and writes other’s stories. Anyone that is need of living though a disaster needs to be resilient, but he cannot find a solid ground to stand upon. Even when he is trying to play his piano later he reveals that he is unable to think of anything but Katrina and cannot play a single tune. This story shows the affects of the entrapped soul without an escape route and how crucial this is to survive.

Ellen, unlike Rose, is able to escape the storm and society in general. She paints her own reality, figuratively and literally, to the point that she “vaguely” notices Katrina approaching (Rose 112). The two extremes of escapism made me question which one was more numbing. Ellen does not have to hear people’s depressing stories on a daily basis, or even go outside; whereas, that becomes Rose’s occupation and reality. Would Ellen be able to handle the new Louisiana if she was exposed to it like Chris? Would she too feel the need to reach out and connect and share her story? Ellen’s ability to spend time alone makes her “resistant” and resilient in dire situations (Rose 110). Yet, this isolation has given the opportunity to strengthen herself and her peacefulness. Despite her seemingly lack of awareness of current Louisiana, she is able to create beauty out of the wreck. Ellen takes roofing tiles made of slate from ruined houses to paint on. Of course, she may not realize the symbolism behind this, but she redefines loss through recreation. I think Ellen’s story provides a message of hope for those who are lost and seeking an alternate mental residence.

New Chapter

Hey all,

So this blog was once used to record my travels abroad this past summer and is now focused on my English 745 class. I will be posting blogs now and then with literary ideas and concepts that I collect with particular readings. I hope that you will enjoy reading this or will be inspired to write yourself or simply read one of the pieces that will be covered.

It's way too hot out for classes this week. I'm really looking forward to the rain coming this weekend so it's not 90 degrees.

Stay cool everyone!

My thoughts today:

Major find at the Sherlock Holmes museum in London!

I missed Stephen Hawking AGAIN! He was here today in his office and was gone by the time I came back for dinner. I'm hoping he will come back before I leave.

3 more papers and a final and then I can hopefully explore Cambridge before I leave this week! Ah!

And

the trees were the best in this garden. Gah, I just can't go home anytime soon!

Ireland

puts everywhere else to shame.

Trinity College in Ireland

Ireland!

My new

favorite cereal!

Surprise!

Taken from a tour bus.

Exhausted.

I'm not sure i'll ever get used to this time zone.

Today. Yesterday.

Mostly everyone went on the Hop On-Hop Off bus in Cambridge to get the tour of the city. It was very interesting to learn about the colleges, the importance of religion during the making of cathedrals/churches, and the slow presence of women in the colleges. Cambridge is a pretty damn small city actually, but extremely walkable.

There are so many bloody tourists today. I'm glad our group doesn't stick out as bad as tourists that have the same florescent-colored clothing and sequined shirts of the English flag because we look so damn good compared to real tourists, haha. I love the old architecture in Cambridge and how it's ultimately stayed the same over the years. It's so different being in an old culture that doesn't change and there's something really wonderful with the preservation of physical history.

I believe today we have a scavenger hunt around 1:30 and then later tonight we get to go punting! I heard it's hard to do and people usually end up on the wrong side of the river. Punting is a huge things here since the river runs behind all the colleges. That'll be fun if that happens! I plan on walking around town though and taking pictures since I haven't done that just yet. I might even explore alone, pop in my headphones, take my camera, and just go! I'm going to start a picture collection of road signs.

We had out opening banquet last night and got to eat in the fancy dining room in Gonville and Caius. It was incredible. A lot of the artwork was based off of Greek mythologies. We even got candle lighting and when dinner was done the wax had melted all over the polished table and only the wicks were left. The banquet began on the lawn, which is a huge deal because we're not allowed on the grass on campus. We're not allowed on the grass and we can't go through the gates (one being the Gate of Honor). These things are really for the English students that attend Gonville and Caius during the school year. So, to say the least, it was a huge deal going on the grass, even though the drunks have already done it at night secretly.

We got to try sherry, which was absolutely disgusting in my opinion. My teacher said that she didn't like it either and that it was more for prop. I couldn't agree more. The aftertaste was like a mixture of yeast and raisons. Everyone got dressed up and looked smashing while being classy and drinking sherry, water, or bubbly wine. Then the man who was serving us drinks rang the bell and said that dinner was served. This is what happens almost every night for dinner (minus saturday and friday because they don't serve us dinner) where a server will come down and tell us dinner is ready. We then go up two flights of stairs from the Buttery, which is like a pub inside campus, into the dining hall, which looks like Hogwarts. There are portraits all over the walls, one being Stephen Hawking, who attended Cambridge, and there's a high table up front. Every student has the chance to sit at the high table to get to know the professors and be that classy and that person. It's a hell of a lot different than just sitting at the tables below; manners really matter here.

Anywho! So we went into this gorgeous dining hall last night for our banquet and between each course someone would read a passage aloud from those who attended Cambridge long ago or just wrote about the college itself. It was really wonderful. I took pictures of some of the courses for Rach because this was by far the best meal we've had because I could actually eat everything! I can't wait to be able to post pictures for you all to see where we're at because it's absolutely incredible. After dinner everyone parted ways and the people who love going out drinking went out, ect, ect. I went on a walk with a bunch of chill people because we felt the need for a brisk walk in our classy attire. The nights here are not like the U.S. They kind of do as they please. One minute it's perfect, not too hot, not too cold, and then it'll be chilly as hell, then again it is at around 2 a.m.

As we were walking we ran into 3 British guys that were looking at nice suits in a window. We all quickly got into a conversation starting with the suits and then about cultures, restaurants, pubs, ect. One guys was pretty drunk and we was going on about how much he loved England and how the English founded America. Perhaps this is a direct quote: "It's in the name. GREAT Britain." He wasn't a snob about it and more hilarious, which was refreshing. He also didn't pin us in a corner for being American and being abroad, which is also refreshing. It's really fun talking to locals here though, some of them are bloody hilarious and friendly! Drinking, of course, is one of the major ways you meet people, er, it's the "easier" way.

So after encountering some locals we ventured onward and walked around the colleges, parallel to the river, and back to Gonville and Caius. After that we tried to look for a laid back pub, which is impossible on the weekends, then proceeded to locate an open liquor store, which was also a fail. Stores close around 5 or 6 here actually, which can be a pain in the ass. If you're even in need of food late into the early hours then you must go to The Trailer of Life, which is the equivalent to Kurts at UNH, except way better. They have chips (fries), cheesy chips (fries), quesadillas, burgers of all kinda, hot dogs, ect, ect. You should know that chips are fries and crisps are chips, like potato chips. Also if you get nicked, that means that you've been arrested. But to say the least, The Trailer of Life is the hot spot for those who are drunk, under the influence of any drug, or just damn hungry late at night. I'm pretty sure this one guy was on some sort of hallucinogen drug while riding a bike; he was pretty damn out of it.

So, after dinner, as I was saying, I hung out with some people and we played pool in the recreation room under the Buttery and just talked and hung out. It was actually one of the greatest times because it wasn't too out of control and just chill. You definitely need those nights here to keep your sanity at times, and it's also nice to get to know more people better. I met a new friend from Ohio and we were all comparing the differences in NH and Ohio. We also chatted a lot about music, which we could all relate on quite nicely even though most of us liked different shiz.

A lot of people are set on going to Quins tonight for the karaoke because they have it every saturday. I'm not sure what my plans will be though. I might go and see Macbeth a few towns away, orrr try and find ghosts again, which was an epic fail last time.

I'm really loving Cambridge. It was a culture shock at first, and it still is in a lot of ways. I'm beginning to love the smell of the air, the cobblestones, the constant talk from the punting guys, how Sainsbury (the most popular shopping market) is constantly in a state of chaos, how the construction down below my window wakes me up at 5 or 6 a.m. almost every morning, how almost every British song at the Slug and The Lettuce is a song and artist I know...the list could go on! I'm meeting some incredible people here though. I do miss home at times. Being here has made me see that the U.S. is more home to me than anything, even though I haven't felt that for a while.

One things very cool about Cambridge is that even though it's a completely tourist spot there aren't any tourist-aimed shops. There are no shops that have just T-shirts and shot glasses and postcards. Everything is spread out here. There aren't any notebooks in the bookstores where one can buy their college books. I don't even know where to find shot glasses! Maybe the airport? The H&M here is epic, it's two floors. The first one is classy and more expensive, then the second one has men's clothes and women's clothing on sale. There's some great fashion here. A lot of women ride their bikes wearing skirts and dresses and flats, oh so classy! Bikes are a huge things here though and since it's the summer and there's a lot of construction cars can't come through some streets that are blocked off.

My body and mind are definitely still in U.S. time. I feel at times that there are fewer hours here in the day, or the days seem shorter in general. It's difficult to go to bed early and wake up early. It's really hard to believe that one week has gone by, bollocks! I need to make it over to Ireland soon, that's my number one destination with traveling thus far. Next weekend we're all going to London to see The Winter's Tale at the Globe and we get the option of staying there the rest of the weekend to explore, which HELL YEAH. I'm definitely going to explore London with those who stay behind. I'm really looking forward to going to Scotland though! That trip is going to be so much fun.

Well, I feel that's enough for right now. What shall I leave you with? Hm..the Cambridge Press is right across the street from the college. How more badass can you get?

Cheers!

I heard a pigeon cooing like an owl today.

I don't think I can fully put into words how great it was so sleep last night. While taking a few moments of being peoplesick and homesick I fell into the deepest sleep. Today I had the best scramble eggs I've ever had (other than yours mum!) and the chef was so friendly. It's really hit or miss here, some people are friendly and want to help you as much as possible, rude and don't want to have a lengthy conversation with you, and some just plain out flirt with you. You never know what you're going to get really! What I can say though are the road signs here are so intolerably awesome and I want to steal them, minus the fact that there's no possible way I could get them back into the states, damn! They're so simple and hilarious because they totally reflect the British culture. I've also never seen so many traffic circles in my life. A lot routes the bus took have the same setup: traffic circle, go any direction, go into a small town where the barriers are rails (sometimes with flowers), nice apartments, pubs/shops, pond with ducks (who look different than our ducks in the states and just hang out on shore sleeping), then back to the traffic circle.

One of the craziest things I saw was when we first started out on our bus to Cambridge. We were driving on the freeway and I look to my right (when we were on the left) and I see the other lanes on the other side of the road and behind that is an open field/hill with massive cows! It was an interesting mix of animal and technology. I saw a lot of wonderful countrysides and fields, it was so hard to stay awake.

Jess and I bought mixed drinks yesterday at this cute place called The Slug and the Lettuce, I felt quite like an adult girl! It was really cool being able to just relax and not get CARDED. A lot of people are into the drinking scene and going out but I want to do more exploring with architecture and culture.

What else can I say about England?

The first thing a lot of people say is, "alright?"

We had duck for dinner last night, which I gave a try! To say the least, duck is not my favorite choice of dinner. I was gaging on the small piece I took. Then I thought about how many people in my family would love it. Wish I could've mailed it to you all! Oh! We also had rum ice cream with raisons. I immediately thought of you, Rach, because we had that nasty fruit pudding ice cream one time.

It stays light basically ALL night! I went to bed at 11 p.m. and it was so bright out still (picture to come). The nights here are perfect. Perfect temperature, perfect amount of people, perfect picture-taking time. Perfect!

A lot of people ride bikes in Cambridge, mostly with baskets in the front.

We're forbidden to go on the grass at out college because they use it for special events (such as our first banquet on Friday) and one other time.

John Caius created 3 entrance gates at the college which, like the grass, are only used for certain ceremonies.

The grocery store is always a hotness of people are chaos.

I've seen only a handful of people are purple or pink in their hair.

The vending machines are kick ass because I don't recognize any of the food products. Though, I will tell you that the bottles here are a lot taller and thinner. The cars and even trucks are a lot boxier and smaller.

I start classes today! Shakespeare and Empire, Detection, and Narrative. Whoo! After I get out of class at 4 I'm going shopping!

Our courtyards at the college are absolutely beautiful, I'll be sure to post pictures soon! I unfortunately don't get wireless in my room so it's the school computers for now.

Cheers! :)

ZZZZzzz

J E T L A G .

Flying

So Jess and I are eating before our plane. I ordered some kind of chicken Caesar-esque wrap and I'm sippin Jess's passion peach smoothie. The woman that took my order wasn't very friendly. Time to kill time! :)

See ya!

Peace out, America! This will be one of the last peace signs I'll do because I don't want to offend England too much (props to Linds and Keith).

Oxford Comma

Note to self: Roll clothes up to conserve more space.

Question to self: What pair of lucky converse have the privilege to travel to England? The choices, the choices!

Things I know I need to get for the sisters: Cadbury crunchies, any odd British candy, Winegums.




http://www.danyey.co.uk/camb39.jpg