The Hot ZoneMajor Themes: Limitations of Human KnowledgeThe majority of the main characters in the book are highly-trained scientists and medical personnel with significant experience with hot agents. Yet, as Preston reveals, their knowledge of filoviruses is woefully incomplete, especially when it comes to their ability to create a preventative vaccine or cure. Preston notes that only three of the seven proteins in filovirus strains have yet to be identified, while even the mystery of Kitum Cave and the source of the Marburg virus is still far from being solved. Ultimately, until science and knowledge can catch up with the filoviruses, there is no option but for individuals like Nancy Jaax and Gene Johnson to continue their research. In the meantime, the role played by both chance and human error will be even more significant in determining the path of a potential outbreak. Power of NatureThe power of nature is a recurring theme in Preston’s descriptions of the various outbreaks of Marburg and Ebola. While human beings may consider themselves to be “ master of the earth,” Preston argues that nature has the ultimate power, even to the point of determining the course of human evolution. While scientists such as Nancy Jaax and Gene Johnson can strive to understand the filoviruses, all humans are ultimately at the mercy of the natural order. ChanceChance plays a significant role in The Hot Zone in determining how a virus spreads and which characters fall victim to it. In every case, the virus strikes indiscriminately, regardless of age, occupation, or personality. This is particularly clear in the scene with Nurse Mayinga and Dr. Isaacson: while both characters treat a patient dying with Ebola Zaire, only Mayinga succumbs to the disease. Preston also takes care to highlight scenarios in which chance seems to be the only thing that prevents an individual from being exposed. When Nancy Jaax is working on Gene Johnson’s Ebola experiment, the circumstances are perfectly set for her to be infected: the knife cut, the rip in the her glove, and the breach in the wrist of her space suit. Yet, Nancy is saved by chance in the form of a thin layer of latex. BureaucracyParticularly in “ The Monkey House” and “ Smashdown,” Preston highlights the various obstacles caused by bureaucratic considerations in dealing with the outbreak at the Reston facility. Preston describes the arguments between various organizations over control and ownership of the problem, as well as highlighting Colonel Peters’ job to limit publicity about the operation. In general, these discussions do little to help contain the outbreak at the Reston facility and, in some cases, even increase the potential risk to the general population. The issues with bureaucracy faced by USAMRIID and the C. D. C. are presented in sharp contrast to the steps taken by the government of Zaire in 1976, where bureaucratic discussion is replaced with immediate action to quarantine the hospital and infected villages. FearFear is the one common denominator between all the characters in the book and takes on many forms over the course of the narrative, from fear of death and fear of exposure to fear of the unknown. In scenes where the outbreak has already occurred, such as with Ebola Zaire in 1976, Preston is also able to use fear to reveal the inner workings of certain individuals. One example is Dr. Isaacson who is able to conquer her fear and remove her gas mask in order to treat Nurse Mayinga face-to-face. Preston also highlights the importance of fear as a tool to inspire research on the hot agents. Because Gene Johnson is terrified of Ebola, even to the point of suffering recurring nightmares about exposure, he is all the more committed to locating the original source of the virus. SelfishnessOver the course of the book, Preston describes several characters who are fundamentally selfish when faced with a filovirus. Nurse Mayinga, Tom Geisbert, and Peter Jahrling are all potentially exposed to Ebola, but each character chooses to deny the possibility for selfish reasons. Mayinga is determined to travel abroad and is willing to finalize her travel papers in the city, despite potentially exposing dozens of people along the way. Geisbert and Jarhling are similarly self-involved and choose to keep their possible exposure a secret in order to avoid being quarantined in the Slammer. While neither Geibert nor Jahrling is infected, their choice is revealing, particularly when compared to the selfless actions of characters like Dr. Musoke, Dr. Isaacson, and Dr. Breman. Human ErrorFrom the use of dirty needles at the Yambuku Mission Hospital and the hospital at Maridi to the negligence of Hazelton Research Products in knowingly purchasing infected monkeys from the Philippines, human error can be directly connected to the majority of the outbreaks described in the book. Preston also highlights several instances in which negligence could easily have led to an outbreak under different circumstance, such as when dirty needles are left outside the Reston facility or when Dan Dalgard wraps contaminated monkey samples in mere tin foil before sending them to the USAMRIID. In every case, Preston makes it clear that the potential for a devastating outbreak can be determined by a single member of the human population. Character List: Charles MonetA French expatriate and amateur naturalist who works at the Nzoia Sugar Factory in western Kenya. Seven days after a trip to Kitum Cave in the Elgon forest in 1980, Monet begins to exhibit signs of the Marburg virus. He dies two weeks later at Nairobi Hospital. Dr. Shem MusokeA young, energetic physician who examines Charles Monet after his collapse in the waiting room of Nairobi Hospital. Nine days after examining Monet, Musoke begins to exhibit signs of the Marburg virus. Unlike Monet, Musoke survives. Samples of his blood are later used by USAMRIID and other facilities to test for the Marburg virus. Dr. Antonia BagshaweA physician at Nairobi Hospital who examines Dr. Musoke during the early stages of his illness and recommends exploratory surgery. Dr. David SilversteinA physician at Nairobi Hospital who suspects that Dr. Musoke has been infected by a rare virus and sends samples of Musoke’s blood serum to the CDC in 1980. After learning of the mysterious virus’ similarities to the Marburg virus, Dr. Silverstein persuades Kenyan authorities to shut down Nairobi Hospital and quarantine the staff members who had interacted with Dr. Musoke and Charles Monet. Seven years later, Dr. Silverstein treats Peter Cardinal at Nairobi Hospital. Klaus F. An employee at the Behring Works vaccine factory in Germany who dies from the Marburg virus in 1967. Mr. JonesAn English veterinarian whose job was to inspect the monkeys before they were exported to the Behring Works vaccine factory in Marburg, Germany. Yu G. A store keeper in southern Sudan who is the first to die from Ebola Sudan in 1976. P. G. A work colleague of Yu G. who is also infected with Ebola Sudan in 1976. Peter CardinalA ten-year-old Danish boy who dies from the Marburg virus after visiting Kitum Cave in 1987. Like Charles Monet, Cardinal is treated by Dr. David Silverstein at Nairobi Hospital. Eugene “ Gene” JohnsonA civilian biohazard expert who runs the Ebola research program at USAMRIID in 1983. In 1987, Johnson identifies the Marburg virus in a blood serum sample taken from Peter Cardinal. He also proves that Marburg and Ebola have the ability to travel through the air. In 1988, he organizes an expedition to Kitum Cave with Dr. Peter Tukei but is unable to identify the origin of the virus. In 1989, Johnson works with Jerry Jaax on the Reston operation. Dr. Peter TukeiA doctor at the Kenya Medical Research Institute, Tukei works closely with Gene Johnson in retracing Peter Cardinal’s steps before breaking with Marburg virus. Tukei is an important member of Johnson’s expedition to Kitum Cave in 1988. Lieutenant Colonel Nancy JaaxA veterinarian and scientist in the United States Army, Jaax works on Gene Johnson’s Ebola experiment in 1983 and suffers a near exposure to the Ebola virus through a rip in her space suit glove. In 1989, Jaax is appointed chief of pathology for USAMRIID and works extensively on the outbreak operation in Reston, Virginia. Married to Jerry Jaax. Mother of Jaime and Jason. Colonel Gerald “ Jerry” JaaxA veterinarian and scientist in the United States Army. Jaax is appointed chief of the veterinary division at USAMRIID and serves as the mission leader of the SWAT team during the Reston operation. Married to Nancy Jaax. Colonel C. J. PetersChief of the disease-assessment division at USAMRIID. During the outbreak at the Reston facility, Peters is the official leader of the biocontainment operation. In addition, Peters is responsible for “ news containment” in order to avoid a public panic. Lieutenant Colonel Anothony “ Tony” JohnsonNancy Jaax’s immediate superior during her work on Gene Johnson’s Ebola experiment in 1983. Johnson is present in the hot zone when Jaax discovered a hole in her glove. Later, he is appointed head of pathology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Sister M. E. A Belgian nun who becomes infected with Ebola Zaire at the Yambuku Mission Hospital in 1976. She is moved to Ngaliema Hospital in Kinshasa, where she is treated by Nurse Mayinga before dying. Sister E. R. A Belgian nun who cares for Sister M. E. when she becomes ill with Ebola Zaire. Shortly after escorting her to the Ngaliema Hospital in Kinshasa, Sister E. R. develops symptoms of Ebola. Mayinga N. A young nurse at Ngaliema Hospital who treats Sister M. E. Soon after the nun’s death, Mayinga begins to develop symptoms of Ebola Zaire. In denial about her illness, Mayinga spends two days running errands in the city before eventually returning to Ngaliema Hospital. Before she dies, she is treated by Dr. Margaretha Isaacson. Margaretha IsaacsonA South-African doctor who treats Nurse Mayinga at the Ngaliema Hospital in Kinshasa. At first, Isaacson wears a gas mask, but she eventually discards it and treats Mayinga face-to-face. Despite close contact with her patient, Isaacson does not become infected with the virus. Karl JohnsonA doctor at the Special Pathogens Branch of the C. D. C, Johnson helps to identify the Ebola virus from blood samples in 1976. A few days after isolating the Ebola strain, Johnson travels to Africa with two other C. D. C. doctors in an effort to stop the spread of the virus in Zaire and Sudan. As part of this effort, Johnson organizes a floating hospital ship on the Congo River. Patricia WebbA virologist at the C. D. C. and former wife of Karl Johnson, Webb helps to identify the Ebola virus in 1976. Joel BremanA doctor at the C. D. C., Breman travels to Zaire with Karl Johnson in an effort to stop the outbreak of the Ebola virus. During his time in Zaire, he joins a field exploration team that travels to Bumba, a region badly hit by the virus. Bill VoltThe colony manager at the Reston monkey house. One month after the shipment of monkeys arrives from the Philippines, Volt contacts Dan Dalgard with concerns about the number of animals who are dying. Dan DalgardA consulting veterinarian at the Reston Primate Quarantine Unit. Dalgard examines the monkeys at Reston when the outbreak begins and eventually contacts USAMRIID for assistance. Throughout the outbreak, Dalgard keeps a detailed “ chronology of events.” Peter JahrlingA civilian virologist at USAMRIID at Fort Detrick with extensive experience in hot viruses. Jahring is contacted by Dan Dalgard in order to identify the mysterious virus killing the Reston monkeys. Tom GeisbertAn intern at USAMRIID who operates the facility’s electron microscope. Geisbert volunteers to examine infected monkey cells from the Reston facility and is the first to identify the signs of a filovirus. Along with Peter Jahrling, Geisbert sniffs a flask containing infected cells but is not infected with the virus. Milton FrantigAn animal caretaker at the Reston facility and a devout Christian. In the middle of the outbreak at the monkey house, Frantig is discovered vomiting outside of the building. While Dalgard and others fear that Frantig has been infected with Ebola, he is actually only suffering from the flu. Dr. Joseph McCormickChief of the Special Pathogens Branch of the C. D. C. While treating Ebola patients in Sudan, McCormick accidentally sticks himself with a bloody needle but is not infected with Ebola. Major General Philip RussellCommander of the United States Army Medical Research and Development Command, which has authority over USAMRIID. Russell gives the command to dispatch SWAT teams to Reston to contain the outbreak in 1989. Frederick A. MurphyA virologist at the C. D. C. who helps to identify the Ebola virus. Acclaimed for his work with the electron microscope, Murphy is also the first to photograph the virus. John JaaxJerry Jaax’s brother who is murdered in Kansas City in 1989. His murder is never solved. Jarvis PurdyOne of the animal caretakers at the Reston monkey house. Shortly after Dalgard is told that the monkeys are infected with a strain of Ebola, Purdy suffers a heart attack and is hospitalized. Sergeant Curtis KlagesA military representative involved in the Reston operation, Klages discovers a cache of dead monkeys in the facility freezer. Captain Mark HainesAn army veterinary who works closely with Jerry Jaax on the Reston operation. Specialist Rhonda WilliamsA soldier assigned to the Reston operation who has several near exposures to the virus. First her air pressure malfunctions while she is inside the facility, then she discovers a tear in her suit. Later, while she is drawing blood samples, she is nearly bitten by an improperly sedated monkey. Thomas KsiazekAn Army scientist on the Reston operation who develops a rapid test for Ebola virus in blood and tissue. John ColeusAn animal caretaker at a second facility owned by Hazelton Research Products. While performing a necropsy on a monkey infected with Ebola, Coleus cuts his thumb with a bloody scalpel. Despite the fears of the scientists at USAMRIID, Coleus does not become infected. Robin MacDonaldA professional hunter and safari guide who accompanies Richard Preston during his trip to Mount Elgon and Kitum Cave. Married to Carrie MacDonald. Brave New WorldMajor Themes: Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work. The Use of Technology to Control Society – Brave New World warns of the dangers of giving the state control over new and powerful technologies. One illustration of this theme is the rigid control of reproduction through technological and medical intervention, including the surgical removal of ovaries, the Bokanovsky Process, and hypnopaedic conditioning. Another is the creation of complicated entertainment machines that generate both harmless leisure and the high levels of consumption and production that are the basis of the World State’s stability. Soma is a third example of the kind of medical, biological, and psychological technologies that Brave New World criticizes most sharply. It is important to recognize the distinction between science and technology. Whereas the State talks about progress and science, what it really means is the bettering of technology, not increased scientific exploration and experimentation. The state uses science as a means to build technology that can create a seamless, happy, superficial world through things such as the “ feelies.” The state censors and limits science, however, since it sees the fundamental basis behind science, the search for truth, as threatening to the State’s control. The State’s focus on happiness and stability means that it uses the results of scientific research, inasmuch as they contribute to technologies of control, but does not support science itself. The Consumer Society – It is important to understand that Brave New World is not simply a warning about what could happen to society if things go wrong, it is also a satire of the society in which Huxley existed, and which still exists today. While the attitudes and behaviors of World State citizens at first appear bizarre, cruel, or scandalous, many clues point to the conclusion that the World State is simply an extreme—but logically developed—version of our society’s economic values, in which individual happiness is defined as the ability to satisfy needs, and success as a society is equated with economic growth and prosperity. The Incompatibility of Happiness and Truth – Brave New World is full of characters who do everything they can to avoid facing the truth about their own situations. The almost universal use of the drug soma is probably the most pervasive example of such willful self-delusion. Soma clouds the realities of the present and replaces them with happy hallucinations, and is thus a tool for promoting social stability. But even Shakespeare can be used to avoid facing the truth, as John demonstrates by his insistence on viewing Lenina through the lens of Shakespeare’s world, first as a Juliet and later as an “ impudent strumpet.” According to Mustapha Mond, the World State prioritizes happiness at the expense of truth by design: he believes that people are better off with happiness than with truth. What are these two abstract entities that Mond juxtaposes? It seems clear enough from Mond’s argument that happiness refers to the immediate gratification of every citizen’s desire for food, sex, drugs, nice clothes, and other consumer items. It is less clear what Mond means by truth, or specifically what truths he sees the World State society as covering up. From Mond’s discussion with John, it is possible to identify two main types of truth that the World State seeks to eliminate. First, as Mond’s own past indicates, the World State controls and muffles all efforts by citizens to gain any sort of scientific, or empirical truth. Second, the government attempts to destroy all kinds of “ human” truths, such as love, friendship, and personal connection. These two types of truth are quite different from each other: objective truth involves coming to a definitive conclusion of fact, while a “ human” truth can only be explored, not defined. Yet both kinds of truth are united in the passion that an individual might feel for them. As a young man, Mustapha Mond became enraptured with the delight of making discoveries, just as John loves the language and intensity of Shakespeare. The search for truth then, also seems to involve a great deal of individual effort, of striving and fighting against odds. The very will to search for truth is an individual desire that the communal society of Brave New World, based as it is on anonymity and lack of thought, cannot allow to exist. Truth and individuality thus become entwined in the novel’s thematic structure. The Dangers of an All-Powerful State – Like George Orwell’s 1984, this novel depicts a dystopia in which an all-powerful state controls the behaviors and actions of its people in order to preserve its own stability and power. But a major difference between the two is that, whereas in 1984 control is maintained by constant government surveillance, secret police, and torture, power in Brave New World is maintained through technological interventions that start before birth and last until death, and that actually change what people want. The government of 1984 maintains power through force and intimidation. The government of Brave New World retains control by making its citizens so happy and superficially fulfilled that they don’t care about their personal freedom. In Brave New World the consequences of state control are a loss of dignity, morals, values, and emotions—in short, a loss of humanity. Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, and literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes. Pneumatic – The word pneumatic is used with remarkable frequency to describe two things: Lenina’s body and chairs. Pneumatic is an adjective that usually means that something has air pockets or works by means of compressed air. In the case of the chairs (in the feely theater and in Mond’s office), it probably means that the chairs’ cushions are inflated with air. In Lenina’s case, the word is used by both Henry Foster and Benito Hoover to describe what she’s like to have sex with. She herself remarks that her lovers usually find her “ pneumatic,” patting her legs as she does so. In reference to Lenina it means well-rounded, balloon-like, or bouncy, in reference to her flesh, and in particular her bosom. Huxley is not the only writer to use the word pneumatic in this sense, although it is an unusual usage. The use of this odd word to describe the physical characteristics of both a woman and a piece of furniture underscores the novel’s theme that human sexuality has been degraded to the level of a commodity. Ford, “ My Ford,” “ Year of Our Ford,” etc. – Throughout Brave New World, the citizens of the World State substitute the name of Henry Ford, the early twentieth-century industrialist and founder of the Ford Motor Company, wherever people in our own world would say Lord” (i. e., Christ). This demonstrates that even at the level of casual conversation and habit, religion has been replaced by reverence for technology—specifically the efficient, mechanized factory production of goods that Henry Ford pioneered. Alienation – The motif of alienation provides a counterpoint to the motif of total conformity that pervades the World State. Bernard Marx, Helmholtz Watson, and John are alienated from the World State, each for his own reasons. Bernard is alienated because he is a misfit, too small and powerless for the position he has been conditioned to enjoy. Helmholtz is alienated for the opposite reason: he is too intelligent even to play the role of an Alpha Plus. John is alienated on multiple levels and at multiple sites: not only does the Indian community reject him, but he is both unwilling and unable to become part of the World State. The motif of alienation is one of the driving forces of the narrative: it provides the main characters with their primary motivations. Sex – Brave New World abounds with references to sex. At the heart of the World State’s control of its population is its rigid control over sexual mores and reproductive rights. Reproductive rights are controlled through an authoritarian system that sterilizes about two-thirds of women, requires the rest to use contraceptives, and surgically removes ovaries when it needs to produce new humans. The act of sex is controlled by a system of social rewards for promiscuity and lack of commitment. John, an outsider, is tortured by his desire for Lenina and her inability to return his love as such. The conflict between John’s desire for love and Lenina’s desire for sex illustrates the profound difference in values between the World State and the humanity represented by Shakespeare’s works. Shakespeare – Shakespeare provides the language through which John understands the world. Through John’s use of Shakespeare, the novel makes contact with the rich themes explored in plays like The Tempest. It also creates a stark contrast between the utilitarian simplicity and inane babble of the World State’s propaganda and the nuanced, elegant verse of a time “ before Ford.” Shakespeare’s plays provide many examples of precisely the kind of human relations—passionate, intense, and often tragic—that the World State is committed to eliminating. Symbols are objects, characters, figures, and colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. Soma – The drug soma is a symbol of the use of instant gratification to control the World State’s populace. It is also a symbol of the powerful influence of science and technology on society. As a kind of “ sacrament,” it also represents the use of religion to control society. Character List: John –The son of the Director and Linda, John is the only major character to have grown up outside of the World State. The consummate outsider, he has spent his life alienated from his village on the New Mexico Savage Reservation, and he finds himself similarly unable to fit in to World State society. His entire worldview is based on his knowledge of Shakespeare’s plays, which he can quote with great facility. Bernard Marx –An Alpha male who fails to fit in because of his inferior physical stature. He holds unorthodox beliefs about sexual relationships, sports, and community events. His insecurity about his size and status makes him discontented with the World State. Bernard’s surname recalls Karl Marx, the nineteenth-century German author best known for writing Capital, a monumental critique of capitalist society. Unlike his famous namesake, Bernard’s discontent stems from his frustrated desire to fit into his own society, rather than from a systematic or philosophical criticism of it. When threatened, Bernard can be petty and cruel. Helmholtz Watson –An Alpha lecturer at the College of Emotional Engineering, Helmholtz is a prime example of his caste, but feels that his work is empty and meaningless and would like to use his writing abilities for something more meaningful. He and Bernard are friends because they find common ground in their discontent with the World State, but Helmholtz’s criticisms of the World State are more philosophical and intellectual than Bernard’s more petty complaints. As a result, Helmholtz often finds Bernard’s boastfulness and cowardice tedious. Lenina Crowne –A vaccination worker at the Central London Hatchery and Conditioning Centre. She is an object of desire for a number of major and minor characters, including Bernard Marx and John. Her behavior is sometimes intriguingly unorthodox, which makes her attractive to the reader. For example, she defies her culture’s conventions by dating one man exclusively for several months, she is attracted to Bernard—the misfit—and she develops a violent passion for John the Savage. Ultimately, her values are those of a conventional World State citizen: her primary means of relating to other people is through sex, and she is unable to share Bernard’s disaffection or to comprehend John’s alternate system of values. Mustapha Mond –The Resident World Controller of Western Europe, one of only ten World Controllers. He was once an ambitious, young scientist performing illicit research. When his work was discovered, he was given the choice of going into exile or training to become a World Controller. He chose to give up science, and now he censors scientific discoveries and exiles people for unorthodox beliefs. He also keeps a collection of forbidden literature in his safe, including Shakespeare and religious writings. The name Mond means “ world,” and Mond is indeed the most powerful character in the world of this novel. Fanny Crowne –Lenina Crowne’s friend (they have the same last name because only about ten thousand last names are in use in the World State). Fanny’s role is mainly to voice the conventional values of her caste and society. Specifically, she warns Lenina that she should have more men in her life because it looks bad to concentrate on one man for too long. Henry Foster –One of Lenina’s many lovers, he is a perfectly conventional Alpha male, casually discussing Lenina’s body with his coworkers. His success with Lenina, and his casual attitude about it, infuriate the jealous Bernard. Linda –John’s mother, and a Beta. While visiting the New Mexico Savage Reservation, she became pregnant with the Director’s son. During a storm, she got lost, suffered a head injury and was left behind. A group of Indians found her and brought her to their village. Linda could not get an abortion on the Reservation, and she was too ashamed to return to the World State with a baby. Her World State-conditioned promiscuity makes her a social outcast. She is desperate to return to the World State and to soma. The Director –The Director administrates the Central London Hatchery and Conditioning Centre. He is a threatening figure, with the power to exile Bernard to Iceland. But he is secretly vulnerable because he fathered a child (John), a scandalous and obscene act in the World State. The Arch-Community-Songster –The Arch-Community-Songster is the secular, shallow equivalent of an archbishop in the World State society. Popé –Popé was Linda’s lover on the New Mexico Savage Reservation. He gave Linda a copy of The Complete Works of Shakespeare. The Warden –The Warden is the talkative chief administrator for the New Mexico Savage Reservation. He is an Alpha. Oedipus the King and Antigone-Apollo: god of truth: “ know thyself”-Oedipus: can see but is blind to the truth-Tiresias: blind prophet but can see the truth-idea of sight versus insightChapter II: The Royal House of Thebeso The tale of Cadmus and his daughters is the prologue to the greater story of Oedipuso Europa was carried away by a bull and Cadmus sent his sons to find hero Cadmus went to Apollo at Delphi for help and from there he killed a dragon and slew his friends by the spring. Athena arrived and told him to sow the earth with the teeth of the dragon. Men appeared from the ground and killed one another, except for five who Cadmus made his assistants. o Cadmus made Thebes a great city and introduced the alphabet to Greece. His wife was Harmonia (daughter of Aphrodite and Ares). o Gods gave them presents for their marriage and Aphrodite gave Harmonia a powerful necklaceo Thebes was founded and the country was given the name of the land of the heifer (Boeotia)o The couple had four daughters and a single son (the females were struck with misfortune and only Semele and Ino lived)o Key idea and theme that the innocent suffer as often as the guiltyOedipus the Kingo Apollo was the god of trutho King Laius of Thebes was warned that he would die at the hands of his son so upon his birth he bound the child up and left him to die on a mountaino The sphinx was a creature with the face and breast of a woman but appeared to be a winged lion and killed those who could not answer her riddle (the answer was a “ man”)o Oedipus defeated the Sphinx and solved the riddle and then married the dead King’s wife, Jocastao Teiresias, the old and blind prophet, was asked to find the killer of the King to reverse the curse placed on Thebes by Apolloo Oedipus was found to be the murdered when he himself did not even know ito The King of Laius was murdered at a land called Phocis, a spot where the road from Delphi meets the land known as Dauliao Oedipus believes his father was a Corinthian named Polybus and his mother was a Dorian called Meropeo Oedipus was found as a baby by a shepherd on Mount Cithaeron near Thebes (he still walks with a limp because of how his legs were pinned together)o The shepherd and the messenger reluctantly tell their stories and Oedipus and Jocasta are horrifiedo Oedipus found his wife (and mother) dead upon hearing the newso Oedipus meaning “ swollen foot” o Branches wrapped in wool are a sign of respecto Oedipus is blinded when pins are stuck through his eyeso Jocasta hangs herself due to the pain and struggle of the news and following this event Oedipus curses his life as the Chorus cringes in responseo Idea that only death can now bring peace for Oedipuso Oedipus pleads Creon to take care of his two daughters and two sonsAntigoneo Oedipus resigned from the throne and later was expelled from the cityo His sons betrayed him but his daughters took good care of the old mano The younger brother became King and expelled his older brother from the city of Thebes and, as a result, the older brother prepared an army to march back into the cityo Oedipus died happily once he had been received by Theseus, the King of Athens, and his death spot was blessedo The two sisters struggled with taking sides against their brotherso In the battle, Creon’s younger son Menoeceus was killedo “ If Eteocles was the victor, the Argive Army would withraw; if Eteocles was conquered, Polyneices should be king” (Sophocles 386)o Neither brother was victorious because both died and thus the battle was renewedo The Thebans prevailed at the end of the dayo Antigone buried her brother Polyneices while Ismene would not because of the death sentenceo The House of Oedipus at Thebes disappeared foreverJulius CaesarSignificant Notes:• Act I –o Tribunes Flavius and Murellus force the commoners on a Roman street to return to their worko A cobbler explains that he is not working because he wants to watch Caesar’s walk through the cityo Murellus shames the cobbler and states that the victory of Caesar is not a true triumph because he did not conquer an enemy in a way that benefitted Rome positively as a wholeo The Capital is a hill where the temple of generals is locatedo The idea that Caesar’s power can be controlled by his popular support is identifiedo Antony serves Caesar wholeheartedlyo Calpurnia is the wife of Caesaro The Ides of March (meaning the fifteenth day of March, May, June, and October as well as of the other fifteenth days of the month) is warned about to Caesaro Brutus is highly expected because he fears death less than he admires honoro Cassius thinks backs to when he had to save Caesar when he was ill and suddenly thinks that a man such as he should not be the head of Romeo Caesar refused the crown three times (notice that he is also deaf in his left ear and has epilepsy)o The people love and admire Caesar very mucho Casca believes that the future is dangerous because of the strange signs from weather, although Cicero states that people interpret differentlyo Cassius thinks the weather and happenings are a warning about a so-called “ monstrous state” o Another conspirator named Cinna has the idea to use Brutus to take down Caesaro The conspirators think their actions are justified because it will be better for Rome as a whole without Caesar as ruler• Act II –o Brutus compares Caesar to a snake’s egg and decides that he needs to kill him while he is still “ in the shell” so he doesn’t become evil after being hatchedo Brutus finds a letter and interprets it to make him believe that the Romans want Caesar gone as a rulero The conspiracy group includes Casca, Cassius, Brutus, Decius, Cinna, Metellus, and Treboniuso Brutus refuses to take an oath because he believes they are strong enough without oneo Cassius wants to kill Antony with Caesar but Brutus refuseso Portia, the wife of Brutus, is bewildered by her husband and worries about himo Ligarius enters the scene looking sick (you can tell by his handkerchief) but is curious about the plano Calpurnia dreams about Caesar’s murder and tries to force him into staying home the next day as a result of his illness but he refuseso Decius lies to Caesar about the dream and tells him it is a prophecy of how the Romans will earn lifeblood from his reign• Act III –o Artemidorous enters with his letter of warning but Caesar refuses to read ito Casca stabs Caesar first after pretending to kneel at his feet and Brutus becomes the last to stab himo Caesar looks Brutus in the eyes and says, “ et tu, Brutus?” o Brutus has the men bathe their hands in his bloodo Antony has a change of heart and promises to serve Brutus if he is not punished for his former allegiance to Caesaro Antony praises the bravery of Caesar and Cassuis wonders whether or not he is truly loyalo Octavius is the adopted son and successor of Caesaro Antony enrages the people for their love of Caesar has been taken away by the brutality of the conspirators as he reads his willo Cinna (a poet) is beaten and killed by the public because they believed he was Cinna the conspirator• Act IV –o Antony, Octavius, and Ledipus meet at their house and decide who must be killed to avenge the death of Caesaro Octavius trusts Ledipus as a good ruler but Antony is slightly skepticalo Cassius and Brutus assault one another but the two men end up forgiving one anothero Lucillius stays outside of the tent as a guard but a poet sneaks through and yells at the two for arguingo Portia kills herself by swallowing fireo The triumvirate has thus far managed to put one hundred senators to deatho Messala reports that Portia has killed herself to Brutuso Varro and Claudio are two of the servants of Brutus who choose to fight for himo Brutus sees the Ghost of Caesar and is frightenedo Octavius and Antony battle at Philippi although Octavius refuses to attack from the right and will only go lefto The enemies insult one another before battleo The battle takes place on Cassius’ birthday and there have thus far been bad omens (two eagles perched on the banners have vanished while other birds pick at the flesh of the weak)o Brutus would rather die than return to Rome a prisonero Brutus senses a weakness in the army of Octavius• Act V –o Lucillus pretends to be Brutus and is capturedo Brutus plans to run into his own sword and kill himself because he believes the Ghost of Caesar has told him it is time to dieo Brutus does in fact kill himself and believes that he has avenged the death of Caesaro Octavius takes Brutus’ remaining men into his service while Antony speaks good words over his dead bodyo The man celebrate their victory and place to bury Brutus in an honorable wayHunger of MemoryPrologue:• Richard Rodriquez says that the purpose of writing this book is to tell the history of his childhood and schooling• He focuses heavily on how language has determined his public identity and how his Mexican heritage shapes his life dailyChapter #1: Aria• As a young child, Richard lived in a white middle-class neighborhood in Sacramento, California and attended a Catholic school• Rodriguez was a son to two Mexican immigrants and had one older brother and sister• His private language is Spanish and his public language is English initially• The nuns at his school visit his home and encourage his parents to speak solely English around their children so the language will come to them more naturally• Rodriguez notices that even though he feels he is finally an American citizen once he can fully understand and speak English, he notices the silence in his home due to the lack of Spanish• The author rejects bilingual education today because of this very silence• Intimacy is not created by a particular language; it is created by intimatesChapter #2: The Achievement of Desire• Scholarship Boy• This chapter discusses how his academic success separated him from his family and culture• His mother works as a typist (eventually was fired for spelling “ guerilla” as “ gorilla”)• His father worked as a laborer• Rodriguez claims his love for books was crucial to his academic success• He went to college at Stanford and at this time traveled to London for a fellowship dissertation before returning home for the summer• His favorite author was Charles DickensChapter #3: Credo• This discusses Rodriguez’ life growing up as an Irish-Catholic• He spends quite a lengthy amount of time breaking down Mexican Catholicism and Anglo Catholicism as well as the separation between secular culture and Catholic culture• He explains how he does not enjoy the changes in the liturgyChapter #4: Complexion• Rodriguez discusses his family members’ fear of having children with dark skin and his mother always telling him to stay out of the sun, even from a young age• When he was eleven or twelve years old, he tried to shave the brown color out of his skin (exemplifies his own fear)• When he was working at a construction job in the summer near Stanford, he began to feel less ashamed of his skin color and convinced himself that his education was what separated him from manual labor and los pobresChapter #5: Profession• Minority student• Rodriguez discusses his time in higher education throughout the 1960’s during the Civil Rights Movement• In the 1970’s, the first affirmative action programs were created in universities• Even though he claims he benefitted greatly from this addition, he also rejects them because the affirmative action is unfair in many cases• He takes two one-year positions at the University of California, Berkeley• While teaching here, he was given multiple high-end job offers but rejected them all in a way to protest how his white friends had not received the same• He was viewed as a coconut – brown on the outside but a true white color on the insideChapter #6: Mr. Secrets• Rodriguez’ mother calls him “ Mr. Secrets”• He writes about how his mother found out from their librarian neighbor that he had published an essay (seven years prior) focusing specifically on his alienation from his heritage• In response, his mother wrote him a letter discussing how proud she was of him although she was also concerned and asked him to stop writing publicly about their private life• Rodriguez continued to write and claimed that his intention was to praise what had been lost rather to condemn his family and childhood growing up• This final chapter ends with a description involving how education has divided his entire family“ Best in Class”-GPAs that are the same lead to the student with the most credits being valedictorian-controversy on whether to throw out valedictorians and salutatorians-single valedictorian naming leads to anxiety-the single valedictorian system is endangered by law suits-high school implies superior and exclusive-valedictorian however is also seen as tradition and history, thus making it a grueling trajectory-valedictorians often distinguish themselves on a high level throughout life-some believe that rankings should be reserved primarily for academics learnings-the valediction tradition gives students a goal to strive forAldous Huxley-Brave New WorldRichard Preston-The Hot ZoneRobert Frost-Believed that a poem “ should begin in delight and end in wisdom”-A Masque of ReasonSophocles-494-406 BCE, Greek writer of tragedy Oedipus the King and AntigoneWilliam Shakespeare-(1564 – 1616) English poet and playwright considered one of the greatest writers of the English language; works include Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and HamletArchibald MacLeishJ. B. Richard Rodriguez-Hunger of Memory-role that schooling plays when growing up in a culture different from your own-“ scholarship boy”-he abandons his family to pursue the American cultureGreek Tragedy-a play composed to emulate the sacrificial ritual of an innocent in order to please the Gods; patterned itself after this ritual: logos, disruption, sporagmos, and restoration of logosShakespearean Tragedy-the hero has greater free will or power of choice than in Greek tragedy. Shakespearean tragedies show a reversal of fortune, from good to bad, experienced by a man or woman, usually of noble birthNon-Fiction Persuasion-With persuasive writing, the writer takes a position on an issue and argues for his or her side or against an opposing side. The writer will use facts and information to support his or her own argument while trying to influence his readers’ opinions. Normally, this kind of writing takes the form of an op-ed piece or editorial in the newspaperFreud-psychology: Freud in 1900 ideas –> 500 B. C. –> the Oedipus Complex: we as humans, when we are born, desire our mothers sexually (male babies moreso)-Freud is the Father of PsychologyTragedy-A serious form of drama dealing with the downfall of a heroic or noble characterCatharsis-a purifying or figurative cleansing of the emotions, especially pity and fear, described by Aristotle as an effect of tragic drama on its audienceDramatic IronyIrony that occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the playSophoclean Tragic IronyUnescapable fate – the attempts to escape fate actually cause the fateVerbal IronyIn this type of irony, the words literally state the opposite of the writer’s true meaningSituational IronyIrony involving a situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is contrary to what was expectedPeripeteiaA reversal of fortunePityPathos; audience empathy for the protagonist. FearA package of physical, emotional and cognitive responsesThe Oedipus ComplexIn Freudian theory, this is when a little boy develops sexual feelings toward his mother and becomes jealous of his fatherEthos-Ethos (Credibility), or ethical appeal, means convincing by the character of the author. We tend to believe people whom we respect. One of the central problems of argumentation is to project an impression to the reader that you are someone worth listening to, in other words making yourself as author into an authority on the subject of the paper, as well as someone who is likable and worthy of respectPathos-Pathos (Emotional) means persuading by appealing to the reader’s emotions. We can look at texts ranging from classic essays to contemporary advertisements to see how pathos, emotional appeals, are used to persuade. Language choice affects the audience’s emotional response, and emotional appeal can effectively be used to enhance an argumentLogos-A Greek term that means “ word”; an appeal to logic; one of Aristotle’s three rhetorical appeals-Logos (Logical) means persuading by the use of reasoning. This will be the most important technique we will study, and Aristotle’s favorite. We’ll look at deductive and inductive reasoning, and discuss what makes an effective, persuasive reason to back up your claims. Giving reasons is the heart of argumentation, and cannot be emphasized enough. We’ll study the types of support you can use to substantiate your thesis, and look at some of the common logical fallacies, in order to avoid them in your writingContentionAssertion; claim; thesis; struggling; competitionResolution-End of the story where loose ends are tied upPersuasion Reading-Is Google Making us Stupid?-Is Facebook Making us Lonely?-Why Kids Sextet ceteraDiscussion Questions-Oedipus the King-Antigone-Julius Caesar-J. B.-*Hunger of Memory*Pride (Hubris)-excessive self-absorbstion that often leads to a character’s downfallTragic Hero-A literary character who makes an error of judgment or has a fatal flaw that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on a tragedy-Composed of: x noble birth/elevated statusx humanx hamartia –> fatal flaw (often hubris)x fate by own handsJustice-Equal treatment under the lawFree Will-The ability to shape one’s own life. Fate-A final outcome that cannot be avoided; destinyFaith-Both a gift of God and a human act by which the believer gives personal adherence to God who invites his response, and freely assents to the whole truth that God has revealed; a theological virtue given by GodPublic and Private Life-public versus private life-public alienation creates private intimacy-the symbol of the screen door is the division between public society and Richard’s private life-Richard is a great mimic: the scholarship boy-As a young child, Richard lived in a white middle-class neighborhood in Sacramento, California and attended a Catholic school-Rodriguez was a son to two Mexican immigrants and had one older brother and sister-his private language is Spanish and his public language is English initially-the nuns at his school visit his home and encourage his parents to speak solely English around their children so the language will come to them more naturally-Rodriguez notices that even though he feels he is finally an American citizen once he can fully understand and speak English, he notices the silence in his home due to the lack of Spanish-the author rejects bilingual education today because of this very silence-intimacy is not created by a particular language; it is created by intimatesAlienation and AssimilationSome of the most controversial and discussed themes in Rodriguez’s autobiography are language, race, and affirmative action. His conservative viewpoints on these issues have made Rodriguez a favorite of the political Right and a target of Chicano and Latino activists. Rodriguez begins Hunger of Memory with a reflection on language and how it marked the beginning of his acculturation and subsequent disconnect from his family. He recounts the trouble he was having in school because of his limited English proficiency. Speaking Spanish at home, the nuns from his school argued, had been hurting the Rodriguez children and their ability to progress in school. The parents’ obliging the nuns begins the alienation between Rodriguez and his parents. Rodriguez insists that the Spanish language has no place in the education of children, that to “ speak the public language of the gringos” is both a right and obligation. He denounces bilingual programs and argues that full assimilation is necessary if children are to have public identities and the full rights of citizenship. Scholars, in response, argue that Rodriguez’s own disconnection from his culture and family explains exactly why such programs are needed. Rodriguez writes that his sense of inferiority and ugliness growing up had been caused by prejudice against him for his dark brown skin. He vividly recalls that this prejudice came not only from whites (in the form of racial slurs) but also from his own family—for example, his mother warning him to stay out of the sun and aunts generally fearful of children being born with dark skin. He acknowledges that family members reacted this way because of the social mistreatment of dark-skinned people, recognizing that darker skin symbolized poverty and oppression. He even attempts to shave off his own “ brownness” at one point. However, it is his experience of los pobres that makes him realize his skin color does not matter. He had worked alongside middle-class, educated, white labors, and when a crew of Spanish-speaking Mexican laborers were brought on the job, he wanted to but could not feel connected to them. He had realized that no matter how dark his own skin, his education erases the color. At minimum, as a public person, he can defend himself and his rights, which leads him to finally embrace his dark skin. This realization leads to Rodriguez’s objection to affirmative action. His higher education began to unravel, he writes, during the Civil Rights movement, after he was labeled a minority. His vehement objection to affirmative action comes from his belief that such programs are misguided. He argues that the failure of affirmative action is that only middle-class people of color, and not poor people of color, benefit from affirmative action. He continues, writing that people of color like him, educated and middle class, will ultimately be successful regardless of the program. He then suggests that racism, specifically institutional racism, is more an issue of class than of race. Reform should focus on primary and secondary schooling, but this reform should not include more culturally sensitive education. Rather, he argues, primary and secondary schools should acculturate people of color. The irony here is that Rodriguez was the beneficiary of such programs (which he acknowledges), and he continues to write about such issues, decades later.-alienation: the state or experience of being isolated from a group or an activity to which one should belong or in which one should be involved-assimilation: the process by which a person or persons acquire the social and psychological characteristics of a groupThey Say/I Say1) Introduction2) First Side3) Second Side4) Your VoiceIn discussions of X, one controversial issue has been… On the one hand, argues… On the other hand, … contends… Others even maintain… My own view is… In their recent work, Y and Z have offered harsh critiques of… for…Relevant Themes-Justice-Free Will-Fate-Faith-Assimilation versus Alienation-Scholarship BoyDictionWord choiceSyntaxWord order, sentence length, and sentence typeImagery-visual: sight-tactile: touch-olfactory: smell-auditory: hearing-gustatory: tastePrometheus-(Greek mythology) the Titan who stole fire from Olympus and gave it to mankindA Masque of Reason-A satirical conversation in blank verse, purporting to be the 43rd chapter of the Book of Job. The talk takes place between Job, God, Job’s wife, with a few comments at the end contributed by the Devil. The whole thing is a jibe at reason (a bit sephrie, one might feel — if the author were not Robert Frost) — at the Bible — at the Church. It does not cut much below the surface and is rather pointless. One cannot help but feel that Frost himself does it with tongue in cheek and does not intend it to be taken as a serious contribution to his worksGreek Tragedy Writers1. Aeschylus2. Sophocles3. EuripidesGreek Philosophers1. Sophocles2. Plato3. AristotleKey Phrase-“ he finds out that…” and discoverySummary of Greek TragedyIt is better to have never been bornJ. B.-logical syllogism: If God is God He is not good and if God if good He is not God-Job must suffer to praise God and to learn how cruel the world is (the essence of the suffering of humanity)J. B. – based on the biblical character Job; a man confronted by many tests of his faith in God. Sarah – J. B.’s wife; not as confident in God as J. B. Mr. Zuss – A balloon vendor in the circus who assumes the role of GodNickles – A popcorn vendor in the circus who assumes the role SatanThe Distant Voice – An anonymous voice that prompts more action in the play, as if to make it look like God himself is watchingthe children of J. B. and Sarah: David 13; Mary, 12; Jonathan 10; Ruth 8; Rebecca, 6two ‘ buxom, middle-aged’ Maidstwo Messengers: ‘ dressed as soldiers’ in Scene Three; with ‘ battered felt hats…a news camera… a notebook’ in Scene Four; ‘ wearing steel helmets and brassards’ in Scene Sixa ‘ stylishly dressed Girl’ (Scene Four)in Scene Eight, et seq.: ‘ Four Women’ (Mrs. Adams, Mrs. Botticelli, Mrs. Lesure, and Mrs. Murphy) and ‘ a young girl’ (Jolly Adams), ‘ their arms filled with blankets and newspapers.’in Scene Nine: ‘ Three Comforters … in worn-out clothing’: Zophar, a fat, red-faced man wearing ‘ the wreck of a clerical collar’; Eliphaz, lean and dark, wearing ‘ an intern’s jacket which once was white’; and Bildad, a squat, thick man in a ragged wind-breaker.’-Hopelessness and despair-Bildad: history-Zopher: religion and original sin-Eliphaz: science and dreams-The play opens in “ a corner inside an enormous circus tent”. Two vendors, Mr. Zuss (evoking the chief Greek god Zeus; zuss is also German for “ sweet”) and Nickles (suggesting the god of money, Mammon), begin the play-within-a-play by assuming the roles of God and Satan, respectively. They overhear J. B., a wealthy New York banker, describe his prosperity as a just reward for his faithfulness to God. Scorning him, Nickles wagers Zuss that J. B. will curse God if his life is ruined. The two then watch as J. B.’s children are killed and his property ruined and the former millionaire takes to the streets. J. B. is then visited by three Comforters (representing History, Science, and Religion) who each offer a different explanation for his plight. J. B. declines to believe any of them, instead asking God himself to explain. Instead he encounters Zuss and Nickles. Nickles urges him to commit suicide in order to spite God; Zuss offers him his old life back if he will promise to obey God. Instead, J. B. finds comfort in the person of his lone surviving family member, his wife Sarah, and they build a new life together. MacLeish PoemsArs Poeticaby Archibald MacLeish
A poem should be palpable and muteAs a globed fruit,
DumbAs old medallions to the thumb,
Silent as the sleeve-worn stoneOf casement ledges where the moss has grown—
A poem should be wordlessAs the flight of birds.
*
A poem should be motionless in timeAs the moon climbs,
Leaving, as the moon releasesTwig by twig the night-entangled trees,
Leaving, as the moon behind the winter leaves, Memory by memory the mind—
A poem should be motionless in timeAs the moon climbs.
*
A poem should be equal to: Not true.
For all the history of griefAn empty doorway and a maple leaf.
For loveThe leaning grasses and two lights above the sea—
A poem should not meanBut be.
THE END OF THE WORLDby Archibald MacLeishQuite unexpectedly as VasserotThe armless ambidextrian was lightingA match between his great and second toeAnd Ralph the Lion was engaged in bitingThe neck of Madame Sossman while the drumPointed, and Teeny was about to coughIn waltz-time swinging Jocko by the thumb —Quite unexpectedly the top blew off. And there, there overhead, there, there, hung overThose thousands of white faces, those dazed eyes, There in the starless dark, the poise, the hover, There with vast wings across the cancelled skies, There in the sudden blackness, the black pallOf nothing, nothing, nothing — nothing at all.
