Under the umbrella of OBJECTS in Gertrude Stein’s Tender Buttons, called “Glazed Glitter” and “A Substance in a Cushion” both subtopics resemble that of change. In “Glazed Glitter”, Stein writes, “The change has come. There is no search. But there is, there is that hope and that interpretation and sometime, surely any is unwelcome, sometime there is breath and there will be a sinecure and charming very charming is that clean and cleansing. Certainly glittering is handsome and convincing.” I believe that she is referring to the afterlife in a sense. Based on hope and interpretation, the Christian believes that there is a Heaven they will ascend to after they die. The streets of heaven, similar to this glazed glitter that Stein speaks of, are paved with gold and the land is flowing with milk and honey. This place is much more attractive than this present world, originally referring to its state as nickel, “originally rid of a cover”. It’s bland, everyday nature is exposed to human kind, giving an illusion of a dull and monotonous complexion. Stein uses colors to exemplify or portray change over time in her writings. “That is no color chosen. It was chosen yesterday, that showed spitting and perhaps washing and polishing.” The essential color of something, or its truth, is already chosen. Due to time and situations, the color of that object may fade but ultimately, after washing and polishing of the substance, its true color and beauty will be revealed again.
In regards to Cake under the next topic, FOOD, Stein speaks on what may happen when one does not heed to warning signs, furthermore explained by the usage of colors. “This is today. A can experiment is that which makes a town, makes a town dirty, it is little please. We came back. Two bore, bore what, a mussed ash, ash when there is tin. This meant cake. It was a sign. Another time there was extra a hat pin sought long and this dark made a display. The result was yellow. A caution, not a caution to be…It means some change. No some day.”
In essence, Stein uses the color yellow to resemble warning signs about negative change, for it can lead to destruction. She shows the audience this by referring to the end product resulting in “ashes”. This may also be viewed as death, for “some day” will come that will result in a drastic change of self. All the while on this earth, God gives the people “warning signs” that serve as reminders for those headed in the wrong path. The town is dirty after the experiment because of wrongful deeds and sin that the people have committed. The people resulting in death or ash, was a sign that they did not heed to.
The last poem is an excerpt from ROOMS. “Climate, climate is not southern, a little glass, a bright winter…all this shows that the back is furnished Under the umbrella of OBJECTS in Gertrude Stein’s Tender Buttons, called “Glazed Glitter” and “A Substance in a Cushion” both subtopics resemble that of change. In “Glazed Glitter”, Stein writes, “The change has come. There is no search. But there is, there is that hope and that interpretation and sometime, surely any is unwelcome, sometime there is breath and there will be a sinecure and charming very charming is that clean and cleansing. Certainly glittering is handsome and convincing.” I believe that she is referring to the afterlife in a sense. Based on hope and interpretation, the Christian believes that there is a Heaven they will ascend to after they die. The streets of heaven, similar to this glazed glitter that Stein speaks of, are paved with gold and the land is flowing with milk and honey. This place is much more attractive than this present world, originally referring to its state as nickel, “originally rid of a cover”. It’s bland, everyday nature is exposed to human kind, giving an illusion of a dull and monotonous complexion. Stein uses colors to exemplify or portray change over time in her writings. “That is no color chosen. It was chosen yesterday, that showed spitting and perhaps washing and polishing.” The essential color of something, or its truth, is already chosen. Due to time and situations, the color of that object may fade but ultimately, after washing and polishing of the substance, its true color and beauty will be revealed again.
In regards to Cake under the next topic, FOOD, Stein speaks on what may happen when one does not heed to warning signs, furthermore explained by the usage of colors. “This is today. A can experiment is that which makes a town, makes a town dirty, it is little please. We came back. Two bore, bore what, a mussed ash, ash when there is tin. This meant cake. It was a sign. Another time there was extra a hat pin sought long and this dark made a display. The result was yellow. A caution, not a caution to be…It means some change. No some day.”
In essence, Stein uses the color yellow to resemble warning signs about negative change, for it can lead to destruction. She shows the audience this by referring to the end product resulting in “ashes”. This may also be viewed as death, for “some day” will come that will result in a drastic change of self. All the while on this earth, God gives the people “warning signs” that serve as reminders for those headed in the wrong path. The town is dirty after the experiment because of wrongful deeds and sin that the people have committed. The people resulting in death or ash, was a sign that they did not heed to.
and red which is red is a dark color…A climate, a single climate, all the time there is a single climate, any time there is a doubt, any time there is music that is to question more and more and there is no politeness, there is hardly any ordeal and certainly there is no tablecloth.” Here, Stein furthermore uses colors to show that the truth will be revealed and not covered up, just as a tablecloth covers up a table. The world is impolite and corrupt. What’s done in the dark will come to light, and this excerpt relates to the other two poems regarding the power truth.
Each of these three poems from Stein’s Tender Buttons uses articulate diction to display the very aspects of daily life. They include symbolic colors which portray either life, truth, or life after death.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Roman Fever Blog
In Edith Wharton’s Roman Fever, the two characters Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade discuss the past, present, and future of Rome. In the short story, there are monuments mentioned that entail a significant influence on the times and cultures of Rome. Each character resembles a facet or characteristic of women of the times. Mrs. Slade, who is the widow of a rich lawyer, seems to be a strong, independent woman who is bored with every day pleasures in life. On the other hand, Mrs. Ansley, who is more complacent and subtle character, blends in with the expectations of a typical “woman” in society. Looking back on their childhood, these women remember being “sheltered” from the sociological influences of Rome. They point out that these impulses to go out and experience the town were centered on these great Roman monuments such as Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum, and the Palace of the Caesars. Each one of these has a distinct purpose to further explain the relationship between past and future as an idealist.
The Palatine Hill is the centermost of the Seven Hills of Rome. It is the focal point behind Rome’s great existence. The author mentions this monument because this is where Rome all started. If one is to fully understand and appreciate the magnificent buildings of Rome in the present time, one must pay homage to the initial location where the city was built.
The Roman Forum is also mentioned in the passage. The oldest and most vital structures of Rome are located inside the Forum such as the Regia and the Vestal Virgins. The forum served as the town square and a place that justice and faith could be exercised. This is important to Roman Fever because religion and law is very important to the people of Rome. These principles were used to build the very city.
The phrase “Memento Mori” is also used in the text. It means that no matter how rich or esteemed a person becomes, they must be reminded that they must die one day. A person must not put themselves above anyone else. This realist point of view resembles the work of Wharton in the time. She spoke of actual, tangible events that were dealt with on an everyday basis. Furthermore describing the concepts of realism, the character is shaped by society. Also realism is concerned with the common life of the middle and lower class. It speaks of daily struggles, problems, and concerns.
Wharton writes about the new generation missing the “Roman Fever”. This simply means that this new age is not embracing the beauty of the city that the older generation has. The younger children are flirting with boys and girls of the opposite sex while the two older women in the story are gazing at the ancient edifices of Rome and knitting. There is a distinct and ever-present cultural difference that must be noted. Wharton is highlighting this in Roman Fever, and something that was affecting not only Rome but other countries of the time.
The Palatine Hill is the centermost of the Seven Hills of Rome. It is the focal point behind Rome’s great existence. The author mentions this monument because this is where Rome all started. If one is to fully understand and appreciate the magnificent buildings of Rome in the present time, one must pay homage to the initial location where the city was built.
The Roman Forum is also mentioned in the passage. The oldest and most vital structures of Rome are located inside the Forum such as the Regia and the Vestal Virgins. The forum served as the town square and a place that justice and faith could be exercised. This is important to Roman Fever because religion and law is very important to the people of Rome. These principles were used to build the very city.
The phrase “Memento Mori” is also used in the text. It means that no matter how rich or esteemed a person becomes, they must be reminded that they must die one day. A person must not put themselves above anyone else. This realist point of view resembles the work of Wharton in the time. She spoke of actual, tangible events that were dealt with on an everyday basis. Furthermore describing the concepts of realism, the character is shaped by society. Also realism is concerned with the common life of the middle and lower class. It speaks of daily struggles, problems, and concerns.
Wharton writes about the new generation missing the “Roman Fever”. This simply means that this new age is not embracing the beauty of the city that the older generation has. The younger children are flirting with boys and girls of the opposite sex while the two older women in the story are gazing at the ancient edifices of Rome and knitting. There is a distinct and ever-present cultural difference that must be noted. Wharton is highlighting this in Roman Fever, and something that was affecting not only Rome but other countries of the time.
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