Othello and "O"

The movie "O" has helped me understand the underlying theme of jealousy in Shakespeare's works.  Jealousy has a tendency to bring out the worst in people.  It is clear from the play Othello and the film "O" that jealousy is difficult to overcome.  The opening line of the film is Hugo saying, "All my life I always wanted to fly.  I always wanted to live like a hawk.  I know you're not supposed to be jealous of anything, but... to take flight, to soar above everything and everyone, now that's living."  This quote is a perfect representation of Hugo's overall character; he wants to be the best and will do whatever it takes to get to that point.  I disagree with Hugo's statement.  I don't think that soaring above everyone is always ideal.  Showing support for others and giving them time to shine is important to build character and learn respect.  A true leader recognizes that becoming successful is a team effort, and acknowledgment should be given to each member of the team. 

If Shakespeare Had Film

I find it interesting that modern-day producers transform Shakespearean works into films. Plays are open to interpretation, but I wonder what Shakespeare would think of the films that have been produced based on his plays. Had film been around during his time, what types of movies would he have produced? Would they be similar to The Lion King or O? I'd like to think that his films would have been unique and meaningful. It would be interesting to see what types of filming techniques he would use. We talked about the bed being the center focus in the last scene of Othello. I would like to discover how Shakespeare would place the characters in this final scene.

Othello, Out of Place

We have moved from the topic of "rooms and gender" to "out of place."  The discussion about displacement and what it means made me think of a club I am in the process of starting at Saint Mary's.  The organization is called Invisible Children, and its purpose is to raise awareness about the war in Northern Uganda.  One of the events Invisible Children sponsors is called Displace Me, which is an event where people volunteer to leave their homes and comforts behind and sleep outside in a designated area.  The purpose of this event is to represent the people in Africa that have no homes and or places to belong to.  

For me, displacement has a negative connotation.  It refers to leaving something behind, like a home or a comfort.  I have always been prone to becoming attached to things, and I struggle with good-byes.  I would like to think that displacement is temporary, and that everyone eventually finds a place of belonging.  By joining organizations like Invisible Children and helping others that can't save themselves, I feel that I am doing my part in putting an end to unnecessary displacement.

This YouTube video that I attached explains Displace Me more in depth and it also shows others who have been victims of displacement, including Holocaust survivors and Japanese-Americans.  Enjoy :)

 

Girl, Interrupted

While watching Girl, Interrupted I was reminded of a particular movie we studied in high school, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.  The films were both based off of controversial novels.  Not only do both films take place in mental institutions, but both main characters also form strong bonds with the other patients.  Ryder is put into the institution because she tries to commit suicide, while the ward welcomes Nicholson because of his deranged behavior in jail.  The main characters in the films both seem to be the most sane at the institutions they are staying at, but they poke at the idea of what 'sanity' really means.

Although the films were shot at different times and places, it is interesting to note that One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is set in a male ward and Girl, Interrupted focuses on a female ward.  After analyzing both films, I have come to the conclusion that while there were distinct differences between males and females and their roles in society, it didn't matter in either film what gender an insane person was.  No matter their race, age, or gender, crazy people were placed at the bottom of the totem pole in a class of their own.

Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper

While reading Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper, I noticed the woman's growing obsession with the wallpaper. Towards the beginning of this work of short fiction she notices the ugly pattern of the wallpaper in her bedroom. She complains about its irritating pattern and its repulsive color. As her mental illness progresses, she begins to personify the wallpaper. She gives details about how the wallpaper has eyes and a creeping woman stuck behind bars. She becomes overly obsessed with the wallpaper in her room; she loses sleep at night staring at the pattern.  Everything that she does revolves around the yellow wallpaper.

Once I was finished with the reading I set the papers down and reflected upon what I had just read.  I noticed that my eyes started drifting towards the yellow walls which encompass my room.  I tried to put myself in Gilman's shoes by staring long and hard at the patterns on my wall.  I was disturbed when I discovered how easily I could slip into a sickly state of mind.  I have found in the past that after watching scary movies I psych myself out.  Sometimes I will go as far as sleeping with the lights turned on so that I am not constantly worrying about the shadows caused by the darkness.  This made me think.  Am I mentally ill because I, along with  Gilman, see shadows moving in the darkness?  Who has the authority to classify a person as mentally ill?  Deep down I believe that we are all a little disturbed, but in my opinion it is just human nature.