After reading Chapter 25, choose a scene or episode from a novel, play or epic written before the twentieth century.
Contrast how it could be viewed by a reader from the twenty-first century with how it might be viewed by a contemporary reader.
Focus on specific assumptions that the author makes, assumptions that would not make it in this century.
The Odyssey by Homer is by far one of the most viewed ancient piece of literature today and it is by far the most fantasized one there is except for every final fantasy video game and almost all final fantasy movies and some manga and that is saying something since it was created several millennia ago by a blind man named homer who we named the main star on the show the Simpsons. Even though the story is millennias old it still is interesting to read and it is very fantasized and creative and is like no other story one will ever read today. In the Twentieth Century and in this century it is viewed as something fantastical and back then it was viewed as that even more so.
ReplyDeletePost By : Dalton Harmon
When someone reads "The Odyssey," readers need to take into consideration the time period this story originated from, so that they can better understand the material.
DeleteYou mentioned how it would be viewed by a reader of this day and age, but I couldn't quite catch your thoughts on how a reader would see "The Odyssey" in their time. Personally, I think a reader of that time would take it quite literally, and possibly take it into religious practices.
DeletePost by: Alanie O’Dell
ReplyDeleteJane Austen’s literary classic “Pride and Prejudice,” is a novel centered around the Bennet family and their conquest to getting all five of their daughters, Jane, Elizabeth, Lydia, Mary and Katherine married. Published in the early 1800’s, “Pride and Prejudice” is set in the London area and contains aspects of that time period’s socialism and class roles.
The beginning of Austen’s novel opens up with “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Now, in nineteenth century London, this statement was perhaps very true. However, if Austen were to rewrite this novel in modern time, that statement would not hold so much truth. In today’s society, men and women are not entirely expected to marry. Of course, a lot of individuals wish to, but not everyone does, and that is definitely more easily accepted today than in the early 1800s.
In the first few chapters of “Pride and Prejudice,” Mrs. Bennet learns that a young man with a substantial fortune, Mr. Bingley, has arrived in their town. Mrs. Bennet urges her husband to go greet this man and get him acquainted with their daughters. Mrs. Bennet is solely concerned with getting each of her daughters married. In the time period of this novel, this all makes perfect sense. However, some of the questions contemporary readers find themselves is “why didn’t Mrs. Bennet just introduce them herself?” In our twenty-first century lifestyle, we would not be afraid to do something like that. But in nineteenth century London, women were not inclined to do things like that.
“Pride and Prejudice” is a lovely written novel with interesting characters and important historical themes, but if readers read with narrow eyes that do not see the social differences in the time periods, they will not get as much out of the classic literary work.
I love 'Pride and Prejudice'; it's just a fantastic movie.
DeleteYou made a good comparison of moral beliefs between times. Literature like this makes us realize just how different things back then were.
DeleteI would have never thought of using 'Pride and Prejudice"for this blog. I totally agree with you and no complaints from me. ~ Caleb C.
DeleteI've never seen this movie, but after reading your post it seems really good.
DeleteYou literally just used one of my favorite movies I love this it was a great example.
DeleteIn Shakespeare's play, The Taming of the Shrew it puts to light many ideas that would be controversial today. The play was written around the 1590’s, it was a time where the ideas that are being displayed in the play wouldn’t have been frowned upon. The world was a different place and it didn’t seem wrong for a man to “tame” his wife so she will do everything he wants her to do. It was accepted for a women to be treated more like a servant. Today, many people, especially women, would not agree with this way of thinking. Feminists would be outraged.
ReplyDeletePost by: Sofia Ricra
DeleteI agree, while reading literary works from different eras, especially those with different social circumstances, readers shouldn't take events personally rather than read from the eyes of someone who lived through that time period.
DeleteI agree with this. In the 1500's, the way women were treated would be standard procedure. However, if that happened recently, there would be uproars from Feminists.
DeleteI agree and think that readers need to understand that things were different back then.
Delete-Piper Colangelo
"Taming of the Shrew" is a magnificent example to use. Great job!
DeleteGreat examples
DeleteI love your examples!
DeleteGreat example.
DeleteIn Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, it's about two well known families that are rivals and a man by the name Romeo who is part of the Montague family, falls in love with Juliet who is part of the rival family, the Capulet's. This play was published in 1597 and the result was the lovers killing themselves due to their feuding families.
ReplyDeleteA contemporary reader would tend to agree with the opposition of two family's disagreement upon the relationship. A 21st century reader would agree on the fight for a forbidden love and rebel against the family feuds. The author focuses on the love of Romeo and Juliet regardless of the social status which is a priority in those times. The author connects with the values of a different time for example, in the 21st century a family rivalry would not be so extreme to the point that two young lovers only hope for love was to kill themselves. The author shares a story of rebellion towards society for the fight of love.
I completely agree, Douglas. I, as a 21st century reader, would think Romeo and Juliet should be together no matter what their families say. The world is a different place, so many things have changed, and readers from the 1500s would disagree with my point of view.
DeleteRomeo and Juliet is a great example! I absolutely agree!
DeletePost by: Tiffany Weresow
ReplyDelete“The Crucible” would be an excellent example of a play, based on realistic events, that could be viewed differently by a reader from the twenty-first century. The whole play would be a good example to use, but I would like to refer to how the girls so obviously pretend that people are witches in order to get them hung.
Obviously, twenty-first century readers would view these punishments as unfair as the supposed “witches” in the story were not given a fair trial, and some not a trial at all. Readers from this modern day and age would view how ludicrous it would be to believe a few little girls running amuck and claiming that so many people were witches, without stopping to wonder if they were telling a fib. However, a contemporary reader for “The Crucible” might completely agree with the views on the story and would see nothing wrong with not giving someone a trial if they were accused of witchcraft, due to the beliefs that were taught during that time. The beliefs people withhold today differ from those of the time during “The Crucible,” so views on the matter will definitely be different.
Great example as this book was really different when I read it and it was just so crazy that if you did something out of the ordinary people would say "witch" or if you did not like someone you would just say "witch" and that person got hung.
DeleteYou are right with this great example. If placed in the modern day, we would have given a second thought to hanging someone rather than having their death be based on pure accusation.
DeleteI absolutely love "The Crucible". Great example!
Delete"Macbeth" proves to be somewhat relate-able yet aged enough for a fantastic comparison to today. Our story holds an ambitious man who wants to rise to power. This idea holds true with the modern day; many television shows take the idea of one man who just wants to make it big no matter what he has to do. A key point from the past was how someone would rise to power. Back then it seemed far more acceptable to just murder whoever you saw fit in cold blood; we can assume that having power meant instilling fear in those below you. Nowadays, murderers are thrown to the bottom of society rather than the top. Speaking of power and roles, Macbeth becomes king of the land from a whim brought to him by three witches. First off, the kings in our modern times lack great, if any, power in how a country is run. Secondly, people do not believe random minors for important life decisions. Finally, the witches would likely translate to scientist, but scientists are nowhere to be found on the field of battle in most cases. What about his death? Decapitation is far too good for our current standards; had this play been set in modern times, Macbeth would have likely had a less exciting death like just getting shot. The sheer number of modern-day illegalities here would guarantee a slot in fiction; Macbeth has: countless murder, unlicensed medication, hit men, illegal drugs, ghosts, and suicide. Most of these elements have a place in reality, but see a more positive light when they reside in fictional literature.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you how it the past killing each other for power wouldn't be a big deal unlike now.
DeleteI used this as my example also, since it was my Shakespeare in the park play I remembered quite a bit. I agree with everything, liked your tie inn about how that would be all fictional in today's society and morals.
DeleteI remember the beauty of our play, it was glorious.
DeletePosted by: Aleigha Letterman
ReplyDeleteAs Tiffany did, I am going to write about The Crucible, but I am going to look at it from a different point. In the play people accuse people of being witches because they cut their grass the wrong way, or they brush their hair the wrong way. The accusations in the play are ridiculous and to people in the twenty first century unbelieveable. The whole idea of witchcraft in this day and age is not believable to most people, but used to be a daily issue. What is so astonishing to contemporary readers is the fact that people actually believe the things that the accusers said. In the book Abigail and the other two children yell out multiple names and everyone is willing to believe them.
Witchcraft is something that is not something that a lot of people believe anymore, but as I said it was very real back then. Witchcraft scared whole towns into killing off half of it's members, which seems irrational and is hard to believe now. The thought of having to do everything perfectly, but not too perfectly to avoid being accused of witchery is something we as readers now find hard to believe. Contemporary readers would probably view this book the same way twentieth century readers would. Almost everything within The Crucible would not be very believable in this time. If a child was to start accusing the whole city council of witchcraft they would put her on the seventh floor.
I agree with your examples
DeletePosted by: Caleb Costner
ReplyDeleteIn Victor Fleming's "Gone with the wind", Scarlett O'Hara is a spoiled woman ,who loves in love with a man (Ashley Wilkes) for him to be in love with another (Melanie Hamilton). She is able to meet Rhett Butler, and they marry. Later they have a child named Bonnie Blue. While this is going on Scarlett is meeting up with Ashley, and rumors are spreed about them being together. When Rhett finds out about the rumors, he forcible and against her will, has sexual contact with her. The next day Rhett apologizes and ask for a divorcee and she refuses saying that it would be a disgrace. When Rhett returns from an extended trip to London, Scarlett tells Rhett that she is pregnant, which causes the two to get into an argument resulting Scarlett falling down the stair case causing her to have a miscarriage.
As Scarlett is recovering, tragedy strikes when Bonnie dies while attempting to jump a fence with her pony. When Melanie is on her deathbed, Scarlett and Rhett come to say their goodbyes. After Melanie dies, Scarlett once again professes her love for Ashley, and he exclaims that he never loved her, he loved his wife. While this went on Rhett rushes home and prepares to leave permanently. When Scarlett is told she was never loved, she rushes home to see that Rhett is on his way out of the house, and pleads for Rhett to stay. Exclaiming that she had only ever loved him (Rhett). When he leaves Scarlett is determined that she will win his love back.
If you are unfamiliar with the story, Scarlett was always able to receive her way, but when she meets Rhett she was not able to get her way. If you recall a story that is similar, than you might think of Shakespeare's play, "The Taming of the Shrew". When you think of it Scarlett is similar to the shrew, and is tamed by Rhett. No not actually tamed, but treated like she is a regular.
When you look at the story from a twenty-first century point of view, you might think of Scarlett being a woman who gets what she wants and determined, but in the nineteenth century, Scarlett would be considered spoiled and ungrateful.
I love Gone With The Wind and I agree!
DeletePosted By: Anna K-S
ReplyDelete“Romeo and Juliet” is a play written by William Shakespeare between the years of 1591 and 1596, researchers are leaning more toward the year 1595. (British Library) “Romeo and Juliet” may be the most commonly known play by Shakespeare, if you don’t know the full story you at least know it’s about love.
“Romeo and Juliet” is much like today's society except for a few key details. One key detail that is different from the twenty-first century society is the way Romeo professed his love to Juliet. Yes, in the twenty-first century people do profess their love for one another but most of the time it is when the two people have been together for a few years and when you’re asking for that special someone's hand in marriage, whereas in “Romeo and Juliet”, Romeo went to profess his love to Juliet and it just so happens, she loved him back, therefore, they were going to get married. Another detail is people of the twenty-first century don’t get married to a person the first day they meet, see, and talk to that person. One last detail that is different from the twenty-first century is Juliet was only thirteen years old when she and Romeo decided they were going to elope. A contemporary reader would see getting married to a person the first day they meet, see, and talk as right because in centuries before the twenty-first century it was common to get married young and quickly because fathers wanted to make sure their children had someone to take care of them. A contemporary reader may also feel professing your love to someone the first day you meet is right as well, due to people getting married at such a young age and very quickly.
The story of 'Romeo and Juliet' most likely would never happen now; it's very rare to have arranged marriages.
DeleteI agree with you, if Romeo and Juliet happened now then it would be more realistic.
DeleteI agree with your statements. The age difference is rather odd in the twenty-first century. We rarely see people getting married at such a young age, like 13.
DeleteRomeo and Juliet would change a lot if it happened now. For one I don't think anyone would get married in like a 3 day increment in which the met each other. Second a family rib=vary would not be as big of a deal in today's world. Also, I don't think two people knowing each other for a few days would kill themselves over one another, we are a more selfish all about me society now, or simply smater and not blinded by love.
DeleteBy: Hannah Berckman
ReplyDeleteLittle Women by Louisa May Alcott is about a family in New England. Their father is off fighting in the Civil War and the four daughters all have very different personalities. Jo, one of the daughters is very tomboyish and unlady like. Beth is very shy and struggles with being herself. Meg, the eldest loves expensive, high-end things and Amy, the youngest daughter has a hard time fighting her patrician ways. A chapter that may be interpreted differently now than before would be the first chapter when the girls are introduced. Some of the wordings when describing each girls personality could be twisted and interpreted differently.
I can understand how some things could be misinterpreted because of the way things are now and maybe we could try to familiarize ourselves a bit to actually be able to understand.
DeleteThis is an iconic book and a great example.
DeletePost BY: Karmen Scruggs
ReplyDeleteA work of literature written in the nineteenth century that most people know of is called Tom Sawyer, written by Mark Twain. This is a novel that people of that time would most likely read only for fun. The majority wouldn’t see it as extremely special or out of the ordinary at the time of its publishing. However, the people of the twenty-first century will read this novel as a great work of literature and something that every child is expected to read in school or at some point in their lives.
That's an interesting type of comparison with a book being more appreciated for the modern day reader compared to that time period. I also liked how you said what age group should read the book.
DeletePost by: Hannah Cribby
ReplyDeleteI chose 'The Terminator' for this blog because it was made in 1984 and is still very popular to this day. The terminator is a very successful movie then and now. Back then it seemed as if it where ahead of its time with all the amazing digital affects and futuristic scenes. Now some of the scenes could be seen as cheesy, fake and unrealistic. In the scene where the terminator is taking out his eyeball, his face before he puts on his sunglasses is obviously fake and it is easy to tell. Overall this is a great movie and everybody knows the famous line "I'll be back" (Arnold Schwarzenegger 1984) because of it.
Great example from the movie! I agree the technology was seen as such a new thing because it was still 1984. The film is still loved today no matter how cheesy some of it might seem now.
DeleteI see what you're saying, technology has changed so much, so when we see something like that it is cheesy to us. Great example!
DeleteAleigha
Post By: Kayla Shannon
ReplyDeleteIn Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," the Capulet's and Montague's are rivals. When Juliet Capulet and Romeo Montague fall in love, they know that they are going to have to figure out something so they can be together. Juliet's family wants her to marry Paris, but she knows she can't because she is not in love with him.
A contemporary reader would agree that since the two families are rivals, Juliet should marry Paris to stay in good graces with her family. A 21st century reader would say that Juliet should be with whoever makes her happy, no matter what anyone says. They would also say that it's crazy to try and force Juliet to marry someone she doesn't want to because she wouldn't be happy.
Shakespeare makes the readers assume that the fight/rival these two families are having is huge and unforgivable, but today, a family rivalry couldn't keep two lovers apart as easily as it could back then.
I understand different thought of a contemporary reader and a twenty first century reader. I really like the examples.
DeleteI like the use of this example because it contrasts the ideas of choice marriage and strategic marriage.
DeleteIn F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” is told from the Nick Carraway. He moves to be closer to his cousin Daisy and her husband Tom and ends up living next to Jay Gatsby. Nick soon learns about Gatsby’s past and his love for his cousin. Daisy is still in love with Gatsby as well, but is stuck with Tom even though she knows he’s having an affair.
ReplyDeleteOne difference between then and now is Daisy’s marriage position. She knows about Tom having a mistress, but she feels she can’t leave him and doesn’t. Most of the times now if there is an affair going on a divorce is filed, but that wasn’t such a common thing back then. A reader now might be astonished as to why Daisy doesn’t leave Tom, but a reader in that time would probably think it was perfectly normal for her to stay with him.
-Piper Colangelo
This is a great example. Love it. -Kalynne
DeleteI love the example. It was great and very interesting.
DeleteEarly on in Treasure Island, a man goes to the Admiral Benbow Inn looking for a many he claims to be friends with named Billy Bone. Upon Billy’s arrival the man is fearfully identified as Black Dog by Billy before both of them, later identified by Billy to be pirates, go to sit down and talk. A short time later something provokes Billy as shown by Black Dog being chased out by Billy. Collapsing near the door, Billy is unable to give chase. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Livesey enters to see Jim’s father but stops, diagnosing Billy with a stroke and commenting on his tattoo of gallows with a man hanging from them.
ReplyDeleteWrote in the late nineteenth century, Treasure Island was based a little over a century earlier, during piracy’s golden age. The Admiral Benbow Inn being named after John Benbow, an admiral made famous by his naval campaigns in and around the Caribbean, some of which were spent hunting pirates. Billy Bone, a former pirate, is met by Black Dog in the inn, a former crew member of his. Both later rush outside one after another, with Billy collapsing from a stroke and being brought back into the inn. After Dr. Livesey comments on Billy’s tattoo of gallows with a man hanging, he is brought further in to rest only for Billy to die during recovery.
-Jared W. Godwin
Posted by Maria McDonald:
ReplyDeleteAssumptions and views have changed vastly in the years from before the 20th century to now. An example is in "The Taming of the Shrew" which was written by Shakespeare in the late 16th century. The play is about a man named Petruchio who had to tame his shrew of a wife named Kate. During the time that this play was written, it was assumed that the man was dominant compared to the woman. Recently though, views have changed to say that men and women are equal. In current times, this play could be considered sexist with the way it portrays the woman as a snobby conceited person. During the 16th century, it wasn't viewed negatively because it was normal to treat woman in the way they did. It's evident in the writing that things were different in the 16th century than it is now, even in just the actual writing style. The language is very antiquated and what the play is actually about could be viewed negatively as opposed to being greatly praised in the 16th century.
The Taming of the Shrew is a great example for this.
Delete-Kalynne
Using The Taming of the Shrew is a very good example for expressing the difference between both social and political ethics of now in comparison to Shakespeare's time.
DeleteGreat example!
DeleteBy:Kalynne Helms
ReplyDeleteEdgar Allan Poe is one of my favorite writers. One of his works called The Masque of the Red Death was published in 1842. Back then when people read it, they would or could relate to it because not everything was curable back then. They would have to stay away from the ones they love because they didn't want to spread the disease and it was horrible. But now, there is a cure for a lot of things. Almost everything. Plus there aren´t a lot of outbreaks with one or more diseases so no one has to be scared and feel like they have to stay inside.
This is a something that I never thought of, and you helped me to have a better understanding. ~ Caleb C.
DeleteI never thought of this and now appreciate the story with a better understanding.
Delete-Piper Colangelo
This is a really good example, and I agree with you. It would be hard to stay away from the people we love.
DeleteAleigha
The book "Romeo and Juliet" is written by Shakespeare and is one of the most popular book written by him. In the book, Juliet is expected to married Paris, a nobleman, and not complained about it. Instead, Juliet married Romeo which is forbidden at the time. In the twenty first century, the arranged marriage would have cause a controversy and the Juliet marrying Romeo, Juliet family's rival, would have been fine as long as they're happy. But in 1500's, the arranged marriage would have been fine because Paris had a lot of money and plus, woman back in the day don't have a lot to day in the matter. They were suppose to have kids and do house work and listen to their husband or father.
ReplyDeleteLing Zhang
DeleteI too also think that an arranged marriage in the twenty century would have been a huge controversy.
DeleteWritten by: James Lynn
ReplyDeleteOne scene from a classic play I can think of, is Lady Macbeth's death in Macbeth. In the actual play, Lady Macbeth is the husband of Macbeth, a power hungry man attempting to become the King of Scotland. As the story progresses, Lady Macbeth is seen less and less in the story, and eventually dies of a suicide offstage. In a modernized style, much like how our group of friends performed the play, Lady Macbeth could have died of more common types of suicides, such as an overdose of drugs, shooting herself, and so on. In older styles, her cause of death could be left unknown like in the actual play, or it could be something like hanging, death by the sword, burried alive, and other possible suicides.
In terms of literature, in case the play was adapted into a modern style, it would be simplified and use more common terms known to modern man. The sentence would be significantly easier to read, yet look less elegant or intelligent. Sentences would also have to be longer in order to include the same amount of detail.
Older works of literature can be harder to understand so maybe we could try to familiarize ourselves with it so it's easier to understand.
DeleteThe main play that I can think of is "The Taming of The Shrew." This play sticks out to me as well because it would be looked at very differently in this time period.The shrew in the play, obviously was picked on for being a woman, which is sexist. In the time that this play was popular, it was perfectly acceptable to pick on women and treat them as lesser people. Now, however, many people would most likely be critical of the play for it's sexism. In that time, the constant arguing of the two was considered as humor, now it would be cnsidered as a very unhealthy relationship; however, it is similar to literature of today in that today there are many relationships we see that start off as bantering and picking on eachother and turn into "love" in the end. Most couples today, though, tend to start off nicely and end nicely. Lastly, the fact that two couples were involved would probably not make it in this time. People like to focus on one love story at a time, be it a healthy relationship or not.
ReplyDeleteGood example, females are pretty crazy.
DeleteI liked your example. Pretty good.
DeletePosted By: Adison Costner
ReplyDeleteIn the play “Romeo and Juliet” Romeo and Juliet meet at a party and fall in love. The only thing is, is that their two families are rivals and juliet was soon to be married. The two snuck around so that way they could be together. Long story short, they both killed themselves in the end because they could stand to think of life without each other.
If this play was modernized then the whole play would be different. Like I said earlier, it all started at a party, if there was a party at one of the most well known families place then their would be plenty of security to make sure that there rival family was nowhere near that house. Therefore Romeo would have never gotten into the party, meaning he would have never meet Juliet in the first place and the two could have life peacefully by themselves. In the end they would have all lived and family would not have had to go thought their kids death.
I also did Romeo and Juliet and I found Romeo and Juliet was a good example of two different centuries.
Delete
ReplyDelete“Macbeth”, a play by none other than Shakespeare is written in a way that is relatable to today’s society, but written far back enough that it is a great comparison between then and now literary works. The play is about a man who yearns to be great and powerful. Like today’s people always wanting to climb high up on the political ladder, even if it means not playing by the rules to do so. In the time of the play it was much more common just to kill of competition to rise to the top. While today, murdering someone to become more powerful and successful would make you the scum of the earth and locked in prison for life. In that time which ory and people with unnatural power were believed by the people. Today if someone came up and told someone in today’s time my magic crystal ball says you will be King of Britain, they would laugh in their face. So we can infer times have changed and situations of the past are no longer moral but, the point of the story is still true today. People will do whatever it takes to get what they want, be it power, success, money etc.
I agree with what you are saying. The idea of murder is now looked down upon. Back then, the situation was not as concerning.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFor this example, I have chosen to speak about the play "Othello" that was written by Shakespeare in 1603. Whenever a reader from the twenty-first century reads this play, they may not be able to instantly know that Othello was a black man due to the fact that we now come together and for the most part, treat everybody equally and how they should all be treated. This is due to the fact that we now know that all races are equal and one should not be considered inferior to another. When a reader from that time period reads the story, they can automatically identify Othello as a black man due to the fact that we no longer think the same.
ReplyDelete-Alex Salce
For this example, I have chosen to speak about Romeo and Juliet written by Shakespeare. The Capulet's and Montague's are huge rivals. When Romeo and Juliet meet and fall in love they know that their families would not allow them to be together so they must find out a way to be together. Juliet's family wants her to marry Paris but yet Juliet must not because she is not in love with him.
ReplyDeleteToday most people I believe would go against their parents and marry Romeo anyway because it is something they would want and their family would get over it. I could also see how others would not marry Romeo and marry Paris instead so they do not upset their family.
By: Haylee Franckewitz
DeleteBy reading old literature as a contemporary reader, one will begin to understand the motives and actions of the characters. I have used contemporary reading to understand many plays, such as Shakespeare’s Othello.
ReplyDeleteAs a contemporary reader, one would first notice Othello is a black man. This was very alarming in the 1600s because Othello was the first main black protagonist. Back in the 1600s, slavery was an ongoing situation. Many people did not see black people as being equal. Therefore, Shakespeare sparked a major controversy. If you looked at this story from the viewpoint of a person from the twenty-first century, the race would not be a major thing because we now live in a world where everyone is equal.
Another aspect to look at is the action that takes place in plot. In the story, Othello kills his wife after being told she had committed adultery. Someone in the twenty-first century would think that idea was obsured. In today's world, people are able to divorce as they please. Back then, they were not. If a wife was found being unfaithful to her husband, she would have been executed or burned at the stake. By looking at the story as a contemporary reader, we realize and understand Othello’s actions. He killed his wife in an act of love. He did not want to see her publicly shamed, therefore, to avoid it, he killed her himself.
In the Odyssey, many times the author will allude to a god or goddess by a name that has been forgotten by most. Athena is referred to as “the goddess with grey eyes” many times and many people would not know who that is now, but when it was first told, or even written down for the first time, people would have known exactly who it was speaking of.
ReplyDeleteBy: Aaron N
In Uncle Tom's Cabin, Uncle Toms and Eliza escape being resold as slaves. They are eventually caught and Uncle Tom is beaten to death. In 1862 when this was written, it could have very well been a true story. Now days it would be considered historical fiction for obvious reasons. The author assumed that people hadn't heard the slave's side of the story when she wrote this story, but now we know that this was very common and we know that many slaves were punished this way. We would also not understand the necessity for slaves because we do not have plantations, however in 1862 many people had farms and would understand this.
ReplyDeleteFirst off I love this question! I am constantly comparing my life to different book characters. Now to the question, the play I will be comparing to modern day is “The Phantom of the Opera” (if you can’t tell by now I love the play). Phantom of the opera is one of those plays that can be compared for many reasons. For example there is a poor lonely man who just wants love, however, because of his face he can not even show himself in public. For once there is someone that cares for him until the man named Raoul steals his love (yes, it is more complicated than that brief summary). In modern perspective, the nerd or the bullied kid finally finds someone he clicks with and can even say he loves, that is until “that guy” or the “bad boy” comes around and snatches your babe from you, leaving you feeling empty and lonely (at least your fate is not as bad as Erik’s is).
ReplyDelete~Christopher Johnson
Elizabeth Suarez.
ReplyDeleteEdgar Allan Poe's Cask of Amontillado is a short story from 1846. When I first read this, I had no idea what exactly amontillado was. Sure, you could figure out that it was most likely a drink considering it is in a cask. Aside from amontillado, this was written in the 1800s so that means there are going to be many phrases and words that we may not know unless a good amount of other context is being used or it there are foot notes.
I felt the exact same way when I read his story
DeleteWilliam Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is one of his most famous plays written. Shakespeare wrote this in the time where the class systems was still highly in effect. People in the modern times would think of how someone talked to a servant that they were just being a jerk. But that was the norm for people back then. They looked at the people who was rich that they were some form of god while lower class, you wouldn't dare to look at or you would need to bleach your eyes. Times have changed majorly since this place was written. Things that people understood then, would not be understood now.
ReplyDeleteAnother play that he wrote was The Taming of the Shrew it shows man wanting to "tame" his wife into following his specific needs. Shakespeare wrote this around the 1520s when women were viewed less then men. Over the years, women have fought to have gender equality and have almost succeed. Today, those views are extremely sexist.
By Noah Wollin
ReplyDeleteThe Odyssey is one of the most famous pieces of literature ever, but reading it now can be confusing. Looking at it from my perspective, I had a hard time understanding portions of it due to the vocabulary used and the sentence structure. It also used many phrases that I had never heard of but the plot was easy to follow as many of today's stories follow in the Odyssey's footsteps. When the story was originally told however it would be much more understandable, but also one first of it's kind. The Odyssey set foundations for many of today's heroic tales of adventures and action, but when it was first created it was far more unheard of and unique.
The short story I will choose is Edgar Allen Poe's " A cask of Amontillado." The short story was written in 1846. I'm sure when this short story was first written it was something very interesting and something very unique. When the story was first available to the public it was a creepy and new story about a friend burying another friend alive. However, from a modern day perspective the story is still very unique. When I read the story for the first time I was enthroned by the story. In today's time the story has spawned many other stories of the same nature.
ReplyDeleteParth
DeleteIn the Narrative “Les Miserables” Fantine is fired because of the fact that she had a child but was not married. Because of this they assumed that she was constantly sleeping around and that she would hurt the reputation of the workers. In today’s world most people would not fire another just because they had a child and were not married. If it were a man it probably wouldn’t matter at any time, but even for a woman today being a single parent is a very common occurrence, whether they were married and then divorced or not married at all.
ReplyDelete- Sarah Macon
Im truly in love with shows both from the past and now so I am very familiar with the differences in between these two mentalities.
ReplyDeleteIn the movie “The Hunchback of Notre dame” made in 1996 the way the love of a gypsy and a white male probably wasn't viewed that adequate and was was viewed as still a little off a contemporary reader probably wouldn't agree with them because today’s generation is more about love and acceptance. Some people that watched this movie probably didn't like the way the gypsy made herself look she was very beautiful and poor plus in their definition it describes a labeled them as dark skinned so chances are they were put aside as well.
- stephanie martinez
Post by: Kayla Williamson
ReplyDeleteShakespeare's, The Taming of A Shrew, composed around 1590 showcases numerous thoughts that would be viewed as sexist by anybody reading it today. The idea of the story is a young man attempting to tame his young wife into doing everything that he needs her to. He expects her to meet all of his desires and agree with anything he does. At this time it was exceptionally common for ladies to be dealt with more such as a worker as opposed to a genuine wife or daughter. Today individuals would not agree with men being the boss of everything and women obediently taking after their requests.