Deconstruction, what's your function? :)

Today's class was really beneficial in getting an overview of the dreaded "deconstruction." The example of Mrs. Hollingsworth's deconstruction of the dot over the i in the title of The Da Vinci Code was both fascinating and overwhelming. It was great to see how deep you can go into something! On the other hand, I'm not sure my mind has the capacity (or patience) to think on some things for so long and so in depth. I'll be honest, I contemplated the use of illegal substances to get my juices flowing but I don't think slurred sentences would benefit me either. : )

On a side note, we discussed the binary of nature vs. culture today and used the example of incest. It made me think of a guy friend of mine trying to explain why guys are so prone to cheating. He claims that over 95% or something of the male animals in the world are not monogamous and that it was just in there nature. To this I replied that dogs eat their own poop.

Love and settling for something kinda like it

In Kate Chopin's stories "the Storm" and "At the 'Cadian Ball" she proves that certain things are really timeless. I have personally "settled" for a boyfriend because the one I really wanted wasn't available, just as Calixta settles for poor devoted Bobinot who would go to the ends of the earth for her. People would rather be with someone than no one, even if the someone isn't the one they really want. Calixta knew that Bobinot would be good to her so after realizing Alcee cared more for Clarisse than her she settled. In "the Storm" she seems happy to be with her family and cares for her husband and son immensely, however she has an affair with Alcee and we are led to believe her husband is never the wiser. Alcee and Clarisse were also married, but in this case it was Clarisse who settled, though she was obviously motivated by his desire to leave for a while, for something better possibly. I'm not sure what it meant when Clarisse was less than happy with their conjugal relationship. Does she not like sex? They have kids so it's not like it hasn't happened. Perhaps she isn't happy with it because she isn't truly in love with him?

I've always been very against infidelity in relationships so the ending of "the Storm" was a bit disturbing to me. I'd like to think that everyone was happy, but how can Alcee or Calixta be happy knowing what they have done? And even worse, what would happen if their spouses found out? It'd be a whole 'nother "Assumption" topic for the town gossip I suppose.

Story of an Hour, Story of a Lifetime

Kate Chopin's Story of an Hour is a real eye opener! I had never read this story before and it totally caught me off guard when the husband walks through the door at the end! It's a twisted way to give a message, but that's exactly what it does. This short story is just screaming for women to live for themselves! Not entirely of course, marriage is important and a couple should be happy together, but simply not to be defined by a husband and live entirely for him. It's really quite tragic that she has to die after this realization, but I guess it's all part of the effect of the urgency of the message.

So live for yourselves ladies, and the fellas too! :) Live like Kate wants you to, "free, free, free."