The Impotance of Being Earnest Commentary

Va Thao
Ms.Peifer
10 IB English
19 May 2009

"Algernon. The truth is rarely pure and never simple.
Modern life would be very tedious is it were either, and
modern literature a complete impossibility!
Jack. That wouldn't be at all a bad thing.
Algernon. Literary citicism is not your forte, my
dear fellow. Don't try it. You should leave that to
people who haven't been at a University. They do it so
well in the daily papers. What you really are is a
Bunburyist. I was quite right in saying you were a
Bunburyist. You are one of the most advanced Bun-
buryists I know.
Jack. What on earth do you mean?
Algernon. You have invented a very useful younger
brother called Ernest, in order that you may be able to
come up to town as often as you like. I have invented
an invaluable permanent invalid called Bunbury,..." (Wilde 122-123)

Commentary

In the play, The Importance of Being Ernest, there were so many subjects upon lying. Wilde's purpose is to portray the issues of lies in this passage by using irony and perspective.

Irony was used to show the issue of lies in Wilde's play. An example of this is, "You should leave that to/ people who haven't been at a University. They do is so/ well in the daily papers..." (123). The satire of this is that people who have never been to college would not be able to do a good job on literary criticism. This shows the issues of lies upon those handful of writers out there lying about this and that in the papers just to make peoples' lives lively. Another example of this is, "You have invented a very useful brother called Ernest..."(123). This is ironic because the way that Algernon say this is not expressed and understood in the same way as the literal meaning of this. This exposes that people can lie to others and still sound nice. One last example of Wilde's use of irony is, "You are one of the most advanced Bun-/ buryists I know."(123). This is ironic upon how Algernon may say something that is complimenting Jack, but the intentions are to hurt Jack's feelings that he is a big liar. This shows the issues of lies through the sarcasm in Algernon's tones which are ironies.

Perspective is also used to portray the issues of lies in Wilde's play. An example of this is, "The truth is rarely pure and never simple."(123). This shows the opinion of Algernon on lies. Another example is, " I was quite right in saying you were a Bunburyist." (123). This also shows the opinion of Algernon about liars. This is significant because the character Algernon shows a lot of dislike towards liars and it seems as if Wilde is using Algernon as his voice on liars. One last example is, "You have invented a very useful younger/ brother called Ernest, in order to/ come up to town as often as you like."(123). This expresses the fact that Jack is lying about having a younger brother in order to go up to town anytime he feels like he wants to. This lie is shown as a an example on the issues of lies and Wilde tries to portray.

Wilde tries to portray the issues of lies in this passage through the use of irony and perspective. Adding to that, throughout Wilde's play; The Importance of Being Earnest, Wilde formulates the theme of lies too.

Atsumori Commentary

Va Thao
Ms.Peifer
10 IB English
4 May 2009

"It was a pleasant sound, and all the pleasanter be-
cause one does not look for such music from men
of your condition. (50)
Unlooked for from men of our condition, you say!
Have you not read:
"Do not envy what is above you
Nor despise what is below you"?
Moreover the songs of woodmen and the flute- (55)
playing of herdsmen,
flute-playing even of reapers and songs of wood-
fellers
Through poets' verses are known to all the world.
Wonder not to hear among us. (60)
The sound of a bamboo flute.
You are right. Indeed it is as you have told me.
Songs of woodmen and flute-playing of herdsmen..." (Motokiyo 48-63)

Atsumori Commentary

In the play, Atsumori, Motokiyo's purpose is to show forgiveness and repentance, but in the passage on page 602 and lines 48 to 63, the purpose is to show an equal value in arts of different class men. Motokiyo achieved this through perspective and symbolism.

Motokiyo used the perspective of the two characters, Priest and Young Reaper, to accomplish his goal. An example of this is from what the priest said, "...all be the pleasanter be-/cause one does not look for such music from men of your condition." (Motokiyo 48-50). This expresses the perspective of the Priest. This reinforces the purpose of this passage because it shows that the Priest has doubt in the Reaper due to his class level. Another example from the mouth of the Young Reaper is, "'Do not envy what is above you/ Nor despise what is above you'?/ Moreover the songs of woodmen and the flute-/ playing of herdsmen," (Lines 53-55). This conveys the perspective of the Young Reaper. It also reinforces the purpose of this passage because the Reaper is basically showing tolerance and equality to both the lower and higher class men through telling the Priest to not hate what is higher or lower of him. It also even expresses that the work of any person are all considered equal due to how he includes the herdsmen and the woodmen as examples. One final example of Motokiyo's use of perspective to show equality is from the Young Reaper, "Flute-playing even of reapers and songs of wood-/ fellers/ Through poets' verses are known to all the world." (57-59). This shows the perspective of the Young Reaper again on how anyone of any class's work of art is equally known throughout the world. These are some examples that Motokiyo's use of perspective to express his purpose.

Another tool Motokiyo used to deliver his message of this passage is through the use of symbolism. An example o symbolism he used is, "cause one does not look for such music from men/ of your condition." (49-50). The "music" Motokiyo mentions here in the play would be understood as the melody played by the Reapers, but Motokiyo use it to symbolize any other work of art, either being poems, portraits, etc. This supports the purpose by not only saying that the equality is in music, but also in any other artwork. Another example is, "Moreover the songs of woodmen and the flute-/ playing of herdsmen,/ Flute-playing even of reapers and songs of wood-/ fellers" (55-58). The use of all these status are to express the variety of classes in society and their equality of the same work of art which is symbolised as "flute-playing". These are the examples of symbolism from Motokiyo's play, Atsumori.

As of conclusion, Motokiyo used perspective and symbolism to achieve his purpose in the play Atsumori. His purpose is to express the equality in artworks of different class men. This purpose only serves its terms under the passage on page 602, lines 48-63.

*NOTE: My computer cannot Underline the title of the play, Atsumori.

Sonnet Commentary

Va Thao
Ms. Peifer
10 IB English
22 February 2009

Sonnet 116 Analysis (I cannot center this)
In Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116, he praised love and its strength by personifying, symbolizing Love, and using repetition.

Shakespeare symbolized love to exaggerate its great impact. He symbolized love as a star in line 7, “It is the star to every wandering bark” to praise love’s leadership. Shakespeare also personified love to time, “Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,/ But it bears it out even to the edge of doom.”(line 11-12). This honors love’s strength of holding on even in despair. This personification of Love to Time also reinforces the fact that if there is no great pain, there will be no great love. Adding to that it also praises Love for its strength growing as time goes by too. Love is also personified as other things too, “O no! It is an ever-fixed mark/ That looks on tempests and is never shaken;”(5-6). Yet again, Shakespeare honors Love’s strength in this quote by expressing it as something that is so invincible that nothing can penetrate it. Another example to reinforce this is, “…Love is not love/ Which alters when it alteration finds,/ Or bends with the remover to remove:”(lines 2-4). It gives out the impression that it is not love if it is a weak one. This gives the impact of how love only stands when there is great strength; or else it would not be called Love. Shakespeare’s praise of love and its strength does not end here, there is more in the quote on lines 8-9, “Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken./ Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks”. It explains how love is a mysterious feeling even when it is understood. This shows the impact of how much strength love makes one feels. Shakespeare also used repetition to reinforce his intentions. His repetition of noting, “Love” over and over again gives the strength to emphasize love’s strength just by reading it, plus it also shows how much pride he has to repeat that one specific word. Examples of this are: “Love is not love…”(line 2), “Love’s not Time’s fool…”(line 9), and “Love alters not…”(line 11). The repetition to personify love as time gives a backup to strengthen the honor of love’s strength. Examples of this are: “Love’s not Time’s fool…”(line 9) and “Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,”(line 11).

In conclusion, Shakespeare’s purpose in Sonnet 116 was to praise love and its strength allowed by his work of personification, symbolism, and repetition.

Sonnet 1 by Va Thao

Va Thao
Ms. Peifer
10 IB English
16 February 2009

Everyone journeys for this summer's kiss,
The breeze that one can't see, but can feel.
The spark that one fears and still feels at bliss,
Fluttering butterflies that one can't seal.
The hearth construct'd with Pheonixes' fires,
Weaving a stairway to the heavens dream't.
Where passionate tunes heals errors,
Destroying all undiscovered Labyrinth't.
But Mother Nature's teachings come unwar'ed.
Only the strongest thrive through harsh winters,
And Love's venom peacefully sneaks inward.
Everlasting Love shall never fade heres,
Tis not only inscribed onto papers,
The Chamber of Love sleeps in all lovers.

Open Thoughts

There are so many things that I want to talk about, but only some will be spoken out. Today as I sit in my English class realizing that it's a new and fresh start relieves my mind from my past worries. Last semester I barely made it through this class. I try and try to thrive through the toughest of moments here and I luckily pass this class.

This semester I will try my best to do the same, if it's possible I would like to pass this class with a better grade. Looking at my past grades, I realize that I mainly struggle on commentaries. I don't know how to improve the way I write my commentaries, but to only look at other peoples' blogs. To be honest this doesn't really help me at all. I really have no clue to improve, but to stand still and keep thriving. Every time Ms. Peifer passes back the rubrics for the commentary I can always feel myself heat up, clinch my teeth, and feel as though I don't want to see it at all. This is why my goal for this semester in this particular class is to improve on my writing skills.

Sometimes I wish I could just have the brain of a Genius, but as I think it thoroughly, I realize that I may as well become a stronger person in this current position of mines. I will be able to accept all circumstances, except failing anything.

I am to blame, and no one else.

The Inferno Commentary

Va Thao
Ms. Peifer
10 IB English
5 January 2009

Inferno Commentary

(45)

"'As cranes go over sounding harsh their harsh cry,

leaving the long streak of their flight in air,

so come these spirits, wailing as they fly.

And watching their shadows lashed by wind, I cried:

'Master, what souls are these the very air

lashes withs its black whips from side to side?'

'The first of these whose history you would know,'

he answered me, 'was Empress of many tongues.

Mad sensuality corrupted her so

that to hide the guilt of her debauchery

she licensed all depravity alike,

and lust and law were one in her decree.

She is Semiramis of whom the tale is told

how she married Ninus and succeed him

to the throne of that wide land the Sultans hold. (60)

The other is Dido; faithless to the ashes

of Sichaeus, she killed herself for love.

The next whom the eternal tempest lashes

is sense-drugged Cleopatra. See Helen there,

from whom such ill arose.And great Achilles,

who fought at last with love in the house of prayer.'"(Ciardi 46-66).

In Alighieri's journey through hell it was a necessary to have this passage. Without this passage, the people who Alighieri saw in hell being tortured would become a missing piece of Circle 2. If The Inferno did not supply Achilles, Cleopatra, Helen, Dido, and Semiramis then Circle 2 would not have formed such a powerful visual and understanding. Those people were a necessary because it is now known where those people belonged in hell. The theme that was reinforced by this passage is basically what Circle 2 stands for. Circle 2 is for those who were destroyed by their own passion. This passage compares the characters to each other, the way that they have the same kind of sin. Making so many references to those characters helps vitalize and animate Circle 2’s punishment, but it also holds an emotional empathy behind those who are being tortured. The fact that these helpless souls are being whipped by the wind just because they were doomed forever by their own passions is very pitiful. That is why there must be at least some kind of empathy in Circle 2.

In Circle 2, Alighieri used connotations and references to deliver many messages such as empathy. Connotations discovered in the passage are the way Alighieri worded the cries of the damned as, “As cranes go over sounding their harsh cry…” (46). If Alighieri were to use other words such as, “dangerous” then the sentence would not have sounded so disturbing yet empathetic. Plus, Alighieri used the word “cranes” to describe the damned souls, instead of listing them as “the sinful ones” or “the gargoyles” because he was describing them as a graceful and loving creature. This means that Alighieri did not wish to harm the names of those in any fashion. Another use of his connotation is, “…to hide the guilt of her debauchery” (55). The word “debauchery” tells everything about the long story of being extremely indulging in sensuality. Another great connotation is, “she licensed all depravity alike,” (56) which “depravity” stands for moral corruption. If Alighieri were to use words like “viciousness” or “villainy” then it would be as if she, Semiramis, is an evil villain. Since she was only degrading moral acts due to her own passions, the word “depravity” was a less disturbing way to describe her. As for Alighieri’s use of references, Semiramis was one of the many. She was the legendary queen of Assyrian and the wife of Ninus. She had so much bravery and confidence in herself and became Queen after Ninus’s death. This was the cause of Semiramis’s belonging in Circle 2. The evidence for this is, "She is Semiramis of whom the tale is told/ how she married and succeeded him/ to the throne of that wide land the Sultans hold." (58-60). Others such as Dido were also one of Alighieri’s references. Dido kept her hopes too high believing her brother's words that her husband, Sichaeus, is not yet dead. To support this is, "The other id Dido; faithless to the ashes/ of Sichaeus, she killed herself for love" (61-62). Another one of Alighieri’s references is Helen who caused the catastrophic Trojan War, the evidence for this is, " See Helen there,/ from whom such ill arose." (64-65) Alighieri’s other Achilles caused many disasters by leaving the army in the Trojan War fight by itself due to his commander capturing his love. The quote, "And great Achilles,/ who fought at last with love in the house of prayer." (65-66). All of these references make Alighieri’s description of Circle 2 much stronger and understandable.

This passage had so many references to people who are very famous. Even when these people may have done a wrong, since they are viewed as “Heroes”, people would still like them. For example, Achilles, he did many wrongs such as leaving his own team hanging alone in the Trojan War causing countless disasters, but people still admires him. It is also interesting to find such great people like Achilles and Cleopatra in such a damned and unwelcoming place like hell. No one would have thought in putting these “Heroes” in hell, but Alighieri himself, courageous enough, has done it! The message of Circle 2 is also amazing too; damned by your own passions. How great can it get?

Works Cited
The Inferno. Trans. John Ciardi. London: Signet Classics, 2001.

(I can not underline this)

Beowulf Commentary

Va Thao
Ms.Peifer
10 IB English
14 Dec 2008

Beowulf Commentary

From the many words weaved into the book of Beowulf, this passage is part of a significant part of the book. Without this passage, the death of Beowulf would not be as tragic and honorable as it is. It even informs that Beowulf has a son of his own and that he has been a fierce king for fifty years! This passage reinforces a theme like; even the greatest hero shall fall on his feet someday. It also compares the fact this is conveyed through dialogue, not from narration. This is what Beowulf is saying about himself; his life and his emotion. This helps create an emotional effect of how near and depressing Beowulf’s death would be. It is not only conveyed through dialogue, but other factors as well, for example, irony and theme.

In this chosen passage from Beowulf, the messages and details were expressed by the theme, dialogue, and irony with connotations. This is what makes it so effective to include it in the whole story. It is just like a major piece of a puzzle. A theme shown in this passage is that even if you were the best hero on earth, everyone has a day they will encounter the door of death. The theme is shown by, “never did I plot a quarrel,/ never did I swear/ an unjust oath.” (36-39). It is expressing Beowulf’s past; how he had never done a lower than dirt action to anyone, but now he has to die. It is also enforced by, “I ruled the people/ fifty winters.”(28-29). This conveys the meaning that Beowulf has gotten older compared to the battles in his past, such as the battle with Grendel. By saying that someone has ruled for fifty years would come to the point as if fate is going to eat him up. Death will soon come to him from the notification of his old age. Dialogue in this passage is one of the important roles played by the words lurking around it. This passage came out of Beowulf’s own lips, forming them as he speaks to his son, Wiglaf. Dialogue also expresses Beowulf’s feelings. One example would be, “Not one king among/ the neighboring peoples/ dared greet me/ with a sword;” (30-33). In this quote, even without saying something like “Everyone is afraid of me”, you can most likely assume that from these couple of lines. From the use of dialogue, things such as these does not have to be literally narrated to understand the concepts and main points of Beowulf. Another dialogue to support these claims is, “I awaited my destiny well:”(35). This tells us how joyful Beowulf is for this fate at his level of life. Last but not least, irony is a huge part used for the overall passage’s message, for example, “Not one king among/ the neighboring peoples/ dared greet me/ with a sword;”(30-33). The irony behind this is that the word “greeting” is portrayed differently in these lines. It is expressing the fact that the surrounding kingdoms near and far from Beowulf’s own kingdom is only full of fear to Beowulf. They would not even greet him “with a sword” (33) is also a phrase for war or disputes displayed in the sentence from the passage. Another irony shown in this is, “The Ruler of Mankind/ will not charge/ that I murdered a kinsman/ when my life/ departs this body.” (41-45). It is informing about Beowulf’s near death, but it is ironic because it describes Beowulf and his body as if they are two separately different people. This is controlled by the words, “that I murdered a kinsman/ when my life/ departs this body.”(43-44). A final irony in this passage is, “Now should I give my sons/ my battle garments,/ but fate did not grant/ that I have sons.” (18-21). It is ironic due to the fact that it talks about Beowulf having sons, but he is also saying that he doe not have sons. The meaning behind this saying is that Beowulf do have sons, but since now he will start over the life cycle, he would not have sons anymore. These tools used in this passage are important because without them the concept to understand the story would not be in much effect. You would not understand Beowulf’s last feelings too and the theme behind those printed words of Beowulf.

This passage is that it is a great and very fun to read passage. It is chosen because of its charm full of irony with such astonishing meaning. It also has such a great theme behind it that it makes the story so much more wonderful than anyone would expect to get out of this story. It also not only showing that the story is old and adventurous, but also very meaningful with messages lurking on every word. That is why this passage are one of the chosen passages out of all the others that may have been chosen.

Work cited
“The Adventure of Beowulf.” Culture Café at Lonestar Internet. 3 Aug. 2007 13 Dec. 2008.