St. Augustine: The Confessions -
Born in North Africa - most likely a black man - lived in the late 300's and early 400's AD. His mother, Monica, was a Christian, his father, Patricius, was a pagan who later converted to Christianity. Augustine was from a wealthy and educated family. Augustine's "Confessions" is considered the first ancient autobiography. As he looks back on his life, he is very introspective and also very hard on himself. "So small a boy and so great a sinner!" His story of the Pear Tree is so true, and reminded me of my college friends who took a bouquet of flowers off of a grave just for the fun of it! All of the temptations and struggles Augustine had are still the same things that tempt us today - knowledge, intellectualism, pride, drunkenness, lust, sexual relationships, the desire to make fun of people. This line sounds so modern: "I was all hot for honors, money, marriage: and You made mock of my hotness." Wow! He had a mistress for many years and fathered a son with her. Eventually, he sent his mistress away, though he loved her deeply, only to take up with another woman. His first mistress vowed never to marry any one else. After years of study and teaching, Augustine finally became a Christian, along with several close friends, and also his son. His mother had prayed for years for this! And as we all know, he went on to become one of the greatest leaders in the Western Church (even non-Catholics like him! :) Two of my favorite quotes from St. Augustine: "Late have I loved Thee, O beauty so ancient and so new." "Our hearts are restless, until they rest in Thee."
"The Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri
(We read all of "Inferno", and excerpts of "Purgatorio" and "Paradiso")
Amazing and insightful - full of numerous classical/biblical/contemporary (to Dante's time) references!! Dante is not afraid to call it like he sees it - he has popes and politicians in Hell, and some pagans close to Purgatory! Dante is a character in his own drama, as is his love, Beatrice. (Beatrice is not his wife!) Virgil is his guide through Hell and into Purgatory; then Beatrice guides him through Purgatory into Heaven, and then St. Bernard guides him to the Virgin Mary, and then into the presence of God! Dante is the creator of modern Italian, and his "Divine Comedy" is considered the greatest "poem" of the Middle Ages. It is incredibly creative and dramatic! I love the very last line - "by the Love that moves the Sun and the other Stars."
Monday, May 23, 2011
In Retrospect (or now that the school year is almost over)
Part One - Yes, indeed, I am finally posting on the books we have read this year. So...here is our year in review: (taken from my Book Journal)
Beowulf - An epic poem first composed in the 500's AD, but not written down till somewhere between 700-1000 AD. First written in Old English (which would be unrecognizable to us now) - the tale of a warrior-hero who slays a monster (Grendel), the monster's mother (a hag), and when he is much older, he slays a dragon, but dies afterwards. The style of writing has a very unique "feel", not like things written today. The sense of the time is early Christianity, with an underlying paganism. Very unique with a certain rhythm to the writing - it gave me a feeling for the people (Geats and Danes) and their culture.
"That was a good king!"
Dream of the Rood - "Rood" being the cross of Christ - a religious poem written in Old English sometime before 1000 AD. Some passages from that poem were carved in runes on a stone cross in the early 8th century in Scotland. In the poem, the narrator speaks of his dream of the cross, and then the cross also speaks. The style is so similar to Beowulf - Christ is called the "Warrior", the "Mighty King", "stout-hearted", all terms which could have been used for Beowulf. It seemed as if I could see into the hearts of these early Christians, living in Britain in the Dark Ages. You could feel how their pagan culture was being permeated with Christianity. I loved the part where the author says "May the Lord be my friend." God the Father is called "The High Father" and "Almighty Ruler". In the poem , the Cross (Rood) was venerated. And as Catholic Christians, we continue to venerate the cross. On Good Friday we sing "This is the wood of the cross, on whom hung the Savior of the World. Come, let us worship." How beautiful and appropriate! "Then he came with his multitude, and host of spirits, into God's kingdom, the Almighty Ruler; and the angels and all the saints who dwelt then in glory rejoiced when their ruler, Almighty God, came where his home was." Amen and Amen!
Beowulf - An epic poem first composed in the 500's AD, but not written down till somewhere between 700-1000 AD. First written in Old English (which would be unrecognizable to us now) - the tale of a warrior-hero who slays a monster (Grendel), the monster's mother (a hag), and when he is much older, he slays a dragon, but dies afterwards. The style of writing has a very unique "feel", not like things written today. The sense of the time is early Christianity, with an underlying paganism. Very unique with a certain rhythm to the writing - it gave me a feeling for the people (Geats and Danes) and their culture.
"That was a good king!"
Dream of the Rood - "Rood" being the cross of Christ - a religious poem written in Old English sometime before 1000 AD. Some passages from that poem were carved in runes on a stone cross in the early 8th century in Scotland. In the poem, the narrator speaks of his dream of the cross, and then the cross also speaks. The style is so similar to Beowulf - Christ is called the "Warrior", the "Mighty King", "stout-hearted", all terms which could have been used for Beowulf. It seemed as if I could see into the hearts of these early Christians, living in Britain in the Dark Ages. You could feel how their pagan culture was being permeated with Christianity. I loved the part where the author says "May the Lord be my friend." God the Father is called "The High Father" and "Almighty Ruler". In the poem , the Cross (Rood) was venerated. And as Catholic Christians, we continue to venerate the cross. On Good Friday we sing "This is the wood of the cross, on whom hung the Savior of the World. Come, let us worship." How beautiful and appropriate! "Then he came with his multitude, and host of spirits, into God's kingdom, the Almighty Ruler; and the angels and all the saints who dwelt then in glory rejoiced when their ruler, Almighty God, came where his home was." Amen and Amen!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
WOW.
That was my reaction after finishing Frankenstein. I was thoroughly fascinated throughout the entire novel. Perhaps this is because I had such low expectations. Not because I thought it would be poorly written or stupid, but because I assumed I would be bored. Well, I was wrong, wrong, WRONG!! The book is anything but boring. It is eerie and strange, and yet so much more than a horrific ghost story.
I was surprised to find so many layers to the book. The character of Frankenstein is so famous: a giant green monster with bolts in his neck and stitches on his face, who walks like a zombie and is really stupid. So it was a surprise to learn that the character of Frankenstein is a handsome young philosopher from Sweden and the creature he makes (which we have for some reason named Frankenstein) has no name.
This leads to another level of the story. Shelley investigates the limits of science, the ethics that should be involved. She also poses fascinating questions: does the creator of something owe anything to what he or she created? As creator, must we love what we have created simply because we did indeed create it? I thought this was so interesting.
The book is sad, really. And it's difficult because there's really no "bad guy" in the story. There's only the bad parts of good people. The character of the "monster" is so heartbreaking that I almost couldn't bear reading some parts. He is so innocent and is so in love with goodness and beauty, though he does not even quite understand it. :( He seeks to be loved and never finds it.
The set up of the story is really clever in my opinion. The elements that Shelley uses involving the narrators reminded me of how Wuthering Heights was organized.
Shelley does an amazing job of writing from the point of view of a scientist. At first, I felt a little as though she just wasn't very adept at writing from different points of view, but after finishing the novel, I understand what was done (if indeed my suppositions are correct) and I am in awe of her skill.
The end of the story is really, really interesting. I sort of wish Shelley had written a sequel, but then, I suppose it ended just right.
That was my reaction after finishing Frankenstein. I was thoroughly fascinated throughout the entire novel. Perhaps this is because I had such low expectations. Not because I thought it would be poorly written or stupid, but because I assumed I would be bored. Well, I was wrong, wrong, WRONG!! The book is anything but boring. It is eerie and strange, and yet so much more than a horrific ghost story.
I was surprised to find so many layers to the book. The character of Frankenstein is so famous: a giant green monster with bolts in his neck and stitches on his face, who walks like a zombie and is really stupid. So it was a surprise to learn that the character of Frankenstein is a handsome young philosopher from Sweden and the creature he makes (which we have for some reason named Frankenstein) has no name.
This leads to another level of the story. Shelley investigates the limits of science, the ethics that should be involved. She also poses fascinating questions: does the creator of something owe anything to what he or she created? As creator, must we love what we have created simply because we did indeed create it? I thought this was so interesting.
The book is sad, really. And it's difficult because there's really no "bad guy" in the story. There's only the bad parts of good people. The character of the "monster" is so heartbreaking that I almost couldn't bear reading some parts. He is so innocent and is so in love with goodness and beauty, though he does not even quite understand it. :( He seeks to be loved and never finds it.
The set up of the story is really clever in my opinion. The elements that Shelley uses involving the narrators reminded me of how Wuthering Heights was organized.
Shelley does an amazing job of writing from the point of view of a scientist. At first, I felt a little as though she just wasn't very adept at writing from different points of view, but after finishing the novel, I understand what was done (if indeed my suppositions are correct) and I am in awe of her skill.
The end of the story is really, really interesting. I sort of wish Shelley had written a sequel, but then, I suppose it ended just right.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Persuasion by Jane Austen
After reading Wuthering Heights, I must admit that Jane Austen's novel seemed rather dull. So at the start of the book I felt bored and wondered why nobody was being kidnapped or murdered. Then I realized what a monster Wuthering Heights had turned me into!! After the first few chapters of Persuasion, I changed my mind about it and I truly enjoyed the story! The book is simple and ordinary, but happy and sweet-- a breath of fresh air after Emily Bronte's disturbing tale. I loved the romance between Anne and dear Frederick!
But one thing I don't understand: I have always been imaging Anne Elliot as rather ugly and slightly oldish. Well, that is a big lie. She is only 28 (or was it 26?) and is frequently described as beautiful!
Oh wait, I remember: a long, long time ago I watched a movie version of Persuasion and the girl who played Anne was just not attractive and perhaps that is what has marred my idea of her ever since. Anyways, she is really lovely.
So, I give Jane Austen two thumbs up! I love love love the sweet romance of Persuasion!
I will have to read her other books!
But one thing I don't understand: I have always been imaging Anne Elliot as rather ugly and slightly oldish. Well, that is a big lie. She is only 28 (or was it 26?) and is frequently described as beautiful!
Oh wait, I remember: a long, long time ago I watched a movie version of Persuasion and the girl who played Anne was just not attractive and perhaps that is what has marred my idea of her ever since. Anyways, she is really lovely.
So, I give Jane Austen two thumbs up! I love love love the sweet romance of Persuasion!
I will have to read her other books!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte = disturbing and creepy
When I began reading Wuthering Heights, all I knew was that 1- it's a classic (duh) and 2- the characters are supposedly awful people. I honestly was not expecting much, but after the first few pages, I could not put it down!
The story is so fascinating! And most of the characters are truly evil. Not just mean evil, but demonic evil. I'm not sure why people call it a love story, as the only normal healthy, real love is found in the young Kathy's relationship with Hareton (which I was so happy about, by the way!). So, here's what I thought of the characters:
Catherine: snobby, annoying, mean, selfish, rude, cruel. She dies pretty quickly which is a big plus but she's still in it enough to make readers hate her. She is apparently in love with Heathcliff but she marries her neighbor after being bit by a dog. (Maybe rabies had something to do with her unstable nature? No, disease is no excuse for being an idiot.) So she is really mean to her husband who is somehow brainwashed into being nice to her. I didn't hate her that much, but when she died I was so glad.
Heathcliff: Oh my goodness. Where do I begin with this crazy sadist? He is one of the most disturbing literary characters I have come across so far! He is just so evil and he has no reason to be. The man hangs dogs, beats children, burns books, ruins pretty much everyone's lives, and sleeps with corpses. Yep, he digs up Cathy and spends the night with her skeleton. Huge creeper! I have NO IDEA why nobody shot the dang man- it would have taken two seconds and shortened the book by about 33 chapters. Some people say he was such a jerk because his life was so rough. BAH! If his life sucked so bad why didn't he run away to a gypsy camp and find his mom? No one wanted him to stay anyways. My verdict is that Heathcliff is demon-possessed and I'm not joking. He is not human, that's for sure. I think any sane person will agree with me in the notion that nothing would be more satisfactory than taking a big dump on his fat head.
Edgar Linton: So, supposedly he is a pale weakling. Whatever. He is nice, loving, compassionate, HUMANE, cheerful.
Isabella Linton: This poor girl has the saddest story in my opinion. If I could rewrite the book, I would have her get back at Heathcliff.
Linton: pale, sickly, weak, ANNOYING, creeper, swollen, pathetic, clammy, finally dies, thank God, but I feel bad that his dad was such a freak
Hareton: illiterate hottie
Cathy Linton: Her character is so interesting because her life changes drastically in the course of the novel. Her life is awful and Heathcliff is the cause of all her misery. But she ultimately wins because Heathcliff realizes he has no power over her. (However, this victory is clearly not as satisfying as dumping on his head, as we discussed earlier). I would love to play her character!
Ellen Dean: probably the only character who doesn't need lifelong therapy. She is normal and kind and smart. She is the one telling the story, but the reader does not learn much about her.
So those are the characters worth discussing. Also, the idea occurred to me: what if Cathy Linton is really Heathcliff's daughter? Hmm...
We watched the 2004 Masterpiece Theater version of Wuthering Heights. It grew on me as we watched it. At first, I could not get over the puffiness of Heathcliff's face. Had he been stung by 57 bees? Alas, he had not, and it was just the way his face looked.
The story is so fascinating! And most of the characters are truly evil. Not just mean evil, but demonic evil. I'm not sure why people call it a love story, as the only normal healthy, real love is found in the young Kathy's relationship with Hareton (which I was so happy about, by the way!). So, here's what I thought of the characters:
Catherine: snobby, annoying, mean, selfish, rude, cruel. She dies pretty quickly which is a big plus but she's still in it enough to make readers hate her. She is apparently in love with Heathcliff but she marries her neighbor after being bit by a dog. (Maybe rabies had something to do with her unstable nature? No, disease is no excuse for being an idiot.) So she is really mean to her husband who is somehow brainwashed into being nice to her. I didn't hate her that much, but when she died I was so glad.
Heathcliff: Oh my goodness. Where do I begin with this crazy sadist? He is one of the most disturbing literary characters I have come across so far! He is just so evil and he has no reason to be. The man hangs dogs, beats children, burns books, ruins pretty much everyone's lives, and sleeps with corpses. Yep, he digs up Cathy and spends the night with her skeleton. Huge creeper! I have NO IDEA why nobody shot the dang man- it would have taken two seconds and shortened the book by about 33 chapters. Some people say he was such a jerk because his life was so rough. BAH! If his life sucked so bad why didn't he run away to a gypsy camp and find his mom? No one wanted him to stay anyways. My verdict is that Heathcliff is demon-possessed and I'm not joking. He is not human, that's for sure. I think any sane person will agree with me in the notion that nothing would be more satisfactory than taking a big dump on his fat head.
Edgar Linton: So, supposedly he is a pale weakling. Whatever. He is nice, loving, compassionate, HUMANE, cheerful.
Isabella Linton: This poor girl has the saddest story in my opinion. If I could rewrite the book, I would have her get back at Heathcliff.
Linton: pale, sickly, weak, ANNOYING, creeper, swollen, pathetic, clammy, finally dies, thank God, but I feel bad that his dad was such a freak
Hareton: illiterate hottie
Cathy Linton: Her character is so interesting because her life changes drastically in the course of the novel. Her life is awful and Heathcliff is the cause of all her misery. But she ultimately wins because Heathcliff realizes he has no power over her. (However, this victory is clearly not as satisfying as dumping on his head, as we discussed earlier). I would love to play her character!
Ellen Dean: probably the only character who doesn't need lifelong therapy. She is normal and kind and smart. She is the one telling the story, but the reader does not learn much about her.
So those are the characters worth discussing. Also, the idea occurred to me: what if Cathy Linton is really Heathcliff's daughter? Hmm...
We watched the 2004 Masterpiece Theater version of Wuthering Heights. It grew on me as we watched it. At first, I could not get over the puffiness of Heathcliff's face. Had he been stung by 57 bees? Alas, he had not, and it was just the way his face looked.
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