The Lady with the Dog

Chekhov introduces the character of Dimitry in a very offputting way. He degrades women by referring to them as a "lower race," but then goes on to say that "he could have not existed a single day" without them. It becomes clear that Dimitry has been engaging in illicit love affairs for some time now. Although he calls this "fresh intimacy" with various women a "charming, light adventure," he goes on to say that it develops into a problem that leads to an "irksome situation." My first impressions of Dimitry's character is that he is unhappy in is marriage, that he resorts to sex with other women as an escape from his own dreary life, and that although Chekhov sets him up to appear insensitive, that his character has more depth. Perhaps this void is rooted from his past, which has not yet been made apparent to the readers.

The Girls in Their Summer Dresses

From the beginning of the story, Shaw sets up his readers to sympathize with both characters. Any woman who caught her husband looking at women as often as her husband Michael does, would feel insecure and hurt. Although we are not knowledgeable about this from the beginning, as the story develops we come to find that Michael observes women in this manner frequently. What may appear as insecurity on Frances part when they first start arguing, comes to be a valid interrogation about her husband's intentions and behavior. As the story wraps up Frances is able to pull out a confession from Michael that he may someday act on his "wants" and desires when looking at beautiful women. This is the final straw that breaks the camel's back with Frances. Michael's confession makes the reader sympathize with the character of Frances. From Mike's point of view, we can initially sympathize with him in the fact that his wife seems overly suspicious of his innocent glances at other women. Frances proceeds with a number of questions that make her character appear apprehensive and needy. The reader can sympathize with Michael as he feels the need to defend his love for his wife from a couple "innocent" glances, but later we come to find that these looks aren't innocent at all. In the final pages of the story Michael is pushed to his breaking point and openly confesses his possible unfaithfulness in the future. It is impossible to not sympathize with Frances at this point in the story.

Desiree's Baby-Chopin

What type of irony appears in the final paragraph? What is the effect of that irony?

It is ironic that Armand is the one who turns out to be black. Chopin sets up her readers to believe that Desiree is black, and in turn responsible for the appearance of their baby. This has a definite shock effect as the reader already assumes what Chopin has narrated. 

Consider the development of Armand's character throughout. At what points, if any, is he sympathetic? As what points, if any, do you dislike him? At the end, how do you feel about Armand?

When his character is first introduced, he appears sympathetic when he falls madly in love with Desiree despite her questionable origin and lack of name. He also appears sympathetic when Desiree describes his delight with her birth to a baby boy and the fact that it will carry his name. We come to discover the personality of Armand as impervious and "imperious" by his frowns, but he appears overcome with happiness during this events that his frowns become seldom. It isn't long till the baby's appearance becomes an issue that Armand reverts back to his frowns. Armand becomes a disliked character after he begins to ignore his and ultimately exclaims that she is not white, due to he baby's questionable race. His passive response to Desiree's departure makes him despicable in my eyes. The fact that he is disgusted with the nature of his wife and the damage her race can cause to his name and reputation is terrible. In the conclusion I feel like Armand will have a lot of regret and sorrow for his rash assumptions, but I have no more sympathy for him after he let his wife walk out of his life.

The Birthmark-Hawthorne

Hawthorne's short story exhibits both internal and external conflict. Focusing on the conflict Man vs. Nature, expand on Aylmer’s quest to rid Georgiana of her imperfection. What are your feelings on man tampering with Mother Nature?

It is clear that the larger message of Hawthorne's story implies the dangers of "playing God." In the text he mentions Mother Nature's guarded pursuit to conceal her secrets (pg 652); that although man can attempt to unlock her mysteries, it will ultimately end in failure. This is the case with Alymer in his obsession to repair Georgiana's imperfection. He insists on ignoring the limitations of his science which proves foolish in the product of his wife's death. This man vs nature conflict alludes to nature's power over humanity and immortality. Earthly perfection cannot exist and more importantly, it is blasphemous to tamper with creation by "playing God."

In the text Georgiana becomes exceedingly more and more tortured by her birthmark: "Danger? There is but one danger—that this horrible stigma shall be left upon my cheek!” cried Georgiana. ‘Remove it, remove it, whatever the cost, or we shall both go mad” (657). What first appeared a “charm” in her eyes has become a curse. Explain Georgiana’s conflict, and why you think her attitude has changed from the beginning of the story.

In the time Hawthorne set the story, it was not unusual for women to have a subordinate attitude in their marriage. In the story Georgiana is so committed to her husband that she defines herself utterly through his vision of her. When he begins to find her birthmark repulsive, she begins to believe she is hideous, even though she possesses a beauty comparable to that of Hiram Powers sculpture of Eve. As Alymer's disgust becomes unbearable, Georgiana too finds life unbearable: "life is a burden which I would fling down with joy. Either remove this dreadful hand, or take my wretched life!" (651). 

In the opening paragraph Hawthorne describes the character of Aylmer as “a man of science.” Reread this paragraph and explain how Aylmer’s unrivaled passion for science sets the tone for the story (think in terms of Aylmer’s internal conflict with his science vs. his wife).

To provide some background to this question, science and philosophy were both gaining momentum in the mid 1800's with the rise of the scientific theory. There is an obvious tug of war between the world of science and the spiritual world in Hawthorne's story. In the beginning paragraph Alymer is described as "too unreservedly devoted to scientific studies ever to be weaned from them by any second passion." One scholar stated it perfectly: "Alymer seeks to unfold the secrets of the natural world, and no only know he mechanism of its power, but in fact harness it and become a creator himself. He's guilty of what Hawthorne sees as two problems in the scientific world around him: the desire to play God, and a blinding faith in science." The conclusion of the story shows that his passion for his science triumphed over that of his wife, but it was also his wife that "led [him] deeper than ever into the heart of science" (651). So ultimately his wife provoked this fatal tragedy. 

Georgiana’s birthmark seems to have a metaphorical function. What do you see as the significance of the “crimson hand”?

Geogiana's birthmark symbolically represents her humanity. The shape of her birthmark, a crimson hand, is described as " the bond by which an angelic spirit kept itself in union with a mortal frame" (659). Because her beauty transcended what was humanely comprehended, her birthmark was the only thing that defined her humanity. It was the one flaw that made her countenance "imperfect."

Aminadab is a name that represents an early figure in the Book of Genesis. Why do you think Hawthorne gave this character this name? How is Aminadab portrayed in the story? Why do you think he laughs at the end?

According to the book of Genesis, Aminadab is a high priest. Hawthorne's description of the character leads us to believe he symbolizes man's earthly, physical half, whereas Alymer symbolizes man's lofty, spiritual half. The distinction shows the difference in opinion about science, reason, and logic. Alymers blindly places all his trust in his experiments, whereas Aminadab knows this is a foolish venture. Although Aminadab is Alymer's servant, his view on Alymer's overambitious scheme to "perfect" his wife proves to triumph.

Within the story are many indicative signs. Are there any clues or hints throughout the story that allow you to foreshadow the ending? If so, what are they?

Alymer's dream is a huge foreshadowing of the concluding event. When Alymer attempts of cut out the birthmark, it sinks deeper into Geogiana's being till it reaches her heart, where Alymer is resolved to continue to cut away at. This dream obviously represents Geogiana's coming death. 

Everything that rises must converge

Significance of title:

After reading the story, I interpret the title as signifying the recent desegregation in the word "converge." "Everything that rises" may have a religious connotation to the ascent to heaven or may imply the eventual unification of all peoples despsite their race, background, or history that presently divide them. It is obvious in the story that Julian's mom is still set in her racist ways, even though she may be unaware of it. Her subtle subjugation of blacks irks julian more than anything as he is an educated man who accepts the present situation.

Author's Note

I'm writing this note at the conclusion of my final draft. Reflecting back on my drafting of the 6 elements earlier in the week, I have made significant changes since then. First of all I decided to follow through with a specific genre. I figured that a physcological thriller rendition of Gilman's piece would make for an interesting motion picture. As far as doubts or concerns, I'm still a little hesitant with my decision to cast Russell Crowe as John. Although he is an exceptional actor, he's never really shot a film in this genre. I'm not even sure if he is interested in this type of work. Since he is such an acclaimed actor is has the privelege to choose his films, and I'm not so sure this would appeal to him. Another actor I was considering for Dr. Mitchell was Christian Bale. His work in American Psycho and Equilbrium may have made him the good choice, but I'm confident in my decision to choose Johnny Depp.

I'm satsifed with my overall proposal. I think I produced a solid film adapation that could be easily transformed into a motion picture. I'm also satisfied with my title choice (like I mentioned in the paper, Hysteria is simple yet mysterious). I also think this movie is very marketable from the ensemble cast of chracters to the ever popular suspense genre of this day and age. I think this movie would appeal to many types of people.

I had difficulty wording how I would portray irony on film. I understand the irony in the text but I had trouble explaining how I would convey that on the big screen. Did I mix up situational and dramatic?

Also I feel like I could have interpretated the short story in a more creative fashion. Speilberg's film adaptation of Philip Dick's Minority Report was completely original. Speilberg took the basic concept and developed his own unique plot, whereas I simply took the Gilman's existing narrative and expanded.

Paul's Case

What is different for Paul in New York City? Why do you think he likes it so much there?

"He felt now that his surroundings explained him. Nobody questioned the purple, he had only to wear it passively. He had only to glance down at his attire to reassure himself that here it would be impossible for anyone to humiliate him." This qoute explains Paul's attitude concerning his life in Pittsburgh on Cornelia street versus the extravagant one he has in New York. In the text Paul experiences "a mere release from the necessity of petty lying." Here he no longer has to back up his "boastful pretensions" of an imaginary, opulent life he has apart from the suburbs of his hometown. Paul is set free from the suffocating reality of his past and he even goes as far to doubt the existence of it at all: "Had he ever known a place called Cordelia Street, a place where fagged-looking businessmen got on the early car..."