Hairspray

1.                      1. Define:  setting.  Describe the setting--in detail--keeping in mind the complete definition of setting.
            Setting—Environment or Surrounding

Baltimore, Maryland; 1962.  Residential homes: apartments on upstairs, businesses downstairs; women had the big fancy hairdo, men had the “combed to the side”, gelled hair style 

2.  Why and how is the setting important in the story?
Setting is important because it represents the attitudes of the people. Women took time to look nice, used hairspray for fancy harido’s; singing and dancing = good moods

3.  What is the major conflict in the story?  Who or what is the major conflict between?
racial segregation; Tracy and Amber competing for Miss Teenage Hairspray

4.  In what ways do the conflict advance or influence the plot of the story?  Name at least two.
The whites don’t accept the blacks and appreciate their talents and that they are worthy just like them. The blacks can dance better but only get a show monthly. Tracy admires the black dancers’ skills and tries to help them, rallies against racial segregation.

Tracy is a typical white high school teenager. She is a overweight unlike some other girls but she likes to dance and want to be on a teenage dance show like the other students, who are all conceited and rich.  Tracy competes to win the title of Miss Teenage Hairspray.

5. The title of the play is Hairspray.  What or how is hairspray significant/important to the story?
The dance show is sponsored by hairspray, a product many women used at the time to style their hair into big fancy hairstyles.  The girls are trying to win Miss Teenage Hairspray.

6.  Define:  theme.  List and explain at least three themes in the story.
Theme - a unifying or dominant idea

•   Segregation/Integration/Language—the nation was still segregated at the time and still prejudice towards other races; Tracy looks beyond someone’s race and accepts people for who they are. She supports integration; they use racial slurs and call Tracy names like Fatty, etc.

•   Sex/Adolescene - Tracy and Link kiss, but she sings about not going all the way and this is a good example for younger kids so they won’t rush into sex. It emphasizes abstinence.

•   Smoking – almost everyone smokes, not good for health, not high regulated or emphasize the negative causes of smoking like we emphasize today.

7.  Listen carefully to the final song of the movie.  What does it mean--not just for the story itself, but for you, too?  I'm including 2 separate links, but they're for the same song.  One link includes the lyrics on the screen for you to look at....

This song is trying to say that life goes on, time doesn’t stop and wait on you. If you suffer about something yesterday, don’t dwell on the past, and look and see how you can live better for today, for tomorrow.  The earth and oceans and everything was created the way they are, just like people.  It doesn’t matter if people look differently, talk differently, or especially if they have different skin colors, they can’t help it? Everything was made to be the way it is, so you can be curious, but it doesn’t really matter why it was made that way.  Everybody is different and unique, and most importantly, special.

When I was younger I used to dwell on the past a lot, mistakes, breakups, etc.  I would get so lost in regretting things in the past (which you can’t change no matter what!) that I forgot to live! Forgot to live my life, for today, and for the tomorrows to come.  Instead now, I’ve learned to not regret about what has happened in the past, but think about what you can do now to fix your situation and move on.  Life goes on.

8.  Tracy sings to her mom "Welcome to the Sixties."  In what ways have things changed over the years--from the sixties to now--based on what Tracy sings about as well as the themes of the story?

Fashion has changed: clothing, not much hairstyles today are like of those back in the 60’s, the BIG hair do.

Cars have definitely improved

We regulate seat belt wearing more now than they did in the past
Back then, everyone smoked and drank a lot because it was “ok”; they didn’t know about the consequences yet, or at least didn’t make much efforts to discourage it, like we discourage it today
TV- black& white 60’s ;  color, plasma, flatscreen today
beauty shops - very different today
Segregation- no more segregation today, Integration, Everyone is equal, we have a Big Melting Pot
Teen pregnancy was not accepted back then, but today more and more people have “baby daddys” and “baby mamas”
The city business downstairs and apartments upstairs no common today. We have separate complexes for most

9.  Why do you think the director chose to use a man (John Travolta) to play the part of Tracy's mom?  Once you answer this question for yourself, do a little research and see if you can find out the real reason why the director chose to use a man.  Compare your answer/opinion to the real reason.

I think he chose John Travolta because he is a talented actor who be comical and entertaining.  He can also sing.

John Travolta's casting of Edna continues the tradition of having a man in drag portray the character going back to the original 1988 film which featured drag queen Divine as Edna and at Hairspray Broadway version, which featured Harvey Fierstein as Edna.  The producer wanted John Travolta because of his role on Grease. Travolta was chosen for this role because he had starred in Grease, the second most successful movie musical.

10.  What have I missed?  What do you want to say about Hairspray that I haven't asked about? (You must have SOMETHING answered here.)

I wonder why the contest didn’t have rules where family members of judges or crew members of WYZT or the show weren’t allowed to participate on the contest for the very reason why Velma joined the crew.  If Velma is on the network, and her daughter is in the contest, wouldn’t you think there’s room for cheating? That is the fair way, like most contests today.

General questions about Oedipus

I think this myth is quite entertaining. I find it also extremely different to marry your own mother and have kids that are also your siblings! Gross!

I just find it amazing how Oedipus tries to avoid his fate at the beginning of his life by trying to avoid his "caretaker" parents and ends up actually following through what the prophecy says. I wonder how Jocasta could possibly have interest in Oedipus or vice versa, because of their age difference. Did age have a big impact on relationships back then? I though maybe they would prefer a marriage where the husband or king is usually older than thew wife.

It seems like Oedipus "has it bad" with his mistakes and all but doesn't Jocasta have it bad too? She too, had slept with her own son and had his kids! That's terribly disturbing.  Of course, I can see why she hung herself.
I wonder how the blind seers are able to see the prophecies, and if they know why it happens that way. They would probably say its all under the gods' control, but I wonder if they see a solution to change a person's fate. 

OEDIPUS QUESTIONS

1. Who wrote the play?

Sophocles

2. Briefly define the Oedipal Complex.

            In psychoanalytic theory, the desire to sleep with parent of the opposite sex and wanting to kill the parent of the same sex

3. What is the setting of the story, specifically, the where?

Front of royal palace of Thebes

4. As the play opens, what horrible thing is going on?

            There is a horrible plague affecting the entire city

5. Whose death must be avenged in order for the horrible thing from number 4 to end?

            King Laius’ death must be avenged

6. Who is Oedipus’ wife?

            Jocasta; also his biological mother

7. Who is Oedipus’ mother?

            Jocasta; also his wife

8. Who is Oedipus’ father?

            King Laius

9. Who killed the King of Thebes (the answer for #5)?

            Oedipus

10. What is Oedipus’ tragic flaw?

            Oedipus’ tragic flaw is his arrogance and pride.  He had a big ego to go around and find the killer of King Laius to save his city and his curiosity led him to his downfall.  He threatened the blind prophet for the truth when he refused to tell his vision, and even accused him of the murder.  This lead the blind prophet to reveal the truth , leading him closer to finding out the answers, his mistakes and the conclusion that he, Oedipus, had killed his father.

11. As you read through Oedipus, you'll note that sight/vision/seeing (including "second sight") is very important to the overall story--in the literal as well as the metaphorical/symbolical aspect.  You don't have to do this in complete sentences if you don't want---
12. Describe/discuss/explain/list how sight/vision/seeing/"second sight" is/are used in the play to advance the plot--to advance the story as a whole.  Include an explanation of why it's important as well as how it helps you (the real audience) understand (get) what others on the stage and in the play don't understand.

            Clear vision is used as a metaphor for knowledge & insight; Oedipus is well known for his clear sightedness and quick comprehension but soon finds out that he has been blind all along.  When he discovers Jocasta’s death, he blinds himself with two pins so he won’t have to look on his own children/siblings. Someone can be knowledgeable and have vision, but blind to their actions/mistakes and what’s going on around them. This helps the audience understand the importance of sight, how it impairs a person or gives them more knowledge.  The people on stage and in the play won’t be able to interpret the meaning of sight to discover its significant role in truth power.

13. As a play, there's a lot that can and can not be done on the stage.  Explain why you think some things within this play in particular are done on stage while others are done off stage.

I think some things are done on stage, like conversations and dialogue to create suspense for the audience and for them to interpret the meanings and find the truth to the conflict in the plot.  Things are done offstage simply because they are unnecessary to perform on stage and for the audience to think and imagine methods in which things happened.

14. Do you believe in fate?  Explain fully your answer.

            I believe in fate because it’s just simply there as a reason for us to blame everything on and why and how it comes to be.  You meet someone you like because of fate that you deserve it, or you struggle with them as a lesson for you to learn from.  I believe in fate because something has to happen (to us in our lives) and whether they are pleasant or not, something somewhere has determined for it to turn out this way. Fate is there to explain the things we don’t explain.

15. Explain how fate plays a role in Oedipus.

Oedipus tragic fate came out to be, no matter how far he tried to run from it. Even knowing his fate beforehand, led him eventually to his fate, so I believe fate determines your effects.

16. Have you ever thought how ironic this play is? It's weird how the events come together and make everything happen the way it does. If things were to happen just a little bit different the story would be completely changed.

Extra: Name either one of the other two plays in the Oedipus Trilogy—punctuation count.

                Antigone

Poem #5

The Passionate Shepard to His Love

by Christopher Marlowe  p 709

I like this poem because it's about LOVE! Of course, I enjoy reading poems and novels about romance, such a great topic isn't it? Because there's so much meaning to love, different kinds of interpretations, and different emotions. Love, I don't think, has a definite translation, there are so many different things that equal love, from all different kinds of opinions, and to come across this poem is just like stumbling across another set of eyes of a lover.

This poem is worthy of sharing because it is a good poem that you can, also, share with your loved ones. We all enjoy loving others and being loved in return so can relate to the strong emotions of the narrator. Maybe this poem could be fictional, or maybe it could be real, promoting love and bliss and setting an example that true love can exist? Maybe there are some good guys out there? HaHa. Whether you've found your soul mate or haven't yet, don't be shy from this poem and take it into consideration when you're planning your next romantic picnic or rendezvous. This could be passed down from here to there, and you never know, it could make someone's day. So let's make that special someone feel special indeed! :)

Poem #4

Wahbegan

by Jim Northrup    p 1158

I like this poem because the author brings about a point that most people don't ever think of or realize.  We honor soldiers who have fought bravely in combat and have died but sometimes we forget to honor the survivors. I appreciate the brave men who go off to war to fight for us and even though I don't have any direct relatives or friends who I know are soldiers or veterans, I still appreciate their service and I feel like every soldier, is my soldier.

The lucky few survivors are return home may have struggles returning back to a normal life through all the dangers and horrors they've experienced. They too, are suffering and dying slowly, even before their time. I would like to share this poem with everyone so they can help recognize the fallen soldiers and survivors around the world and appreciate their brave services. Help support them, if not at all, emotionally because they have fought and protected you.

The names of the fallen soldiers have been written on the memorial wall, but what about those who survived? Don't forget about the survivors too, because they may still be fighting a war everyday.

Here is a link to a video about efforts to help returning soldiers adjust to daily lives:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3kF6MGBjzk&feature=related

Poem #3

 The Bagel

David Ingatow p 818

I like how this poem is silly and vague, allowing you to dig for its meaning. It's so random and funny. Yes, this poem is about a man chasing a bagel down a hill, who also starts rolling like it. I think this poem can have a lot of different interpretations. I also like how it kind of teaches a lesson; we all need life lessons for motivation once in a while, do we not?
The man is talking about a bagel he has and how he gets frustrated chasing it after he drops it. He then rolls around just like the bagel itself and strangely, is happy with himself. This reminds us in life to work hard for what you pursue and once you achieve it, to see if you are satisfied and happy with what you've become. You can work hard for something, or try something new and difficult even though it feels like it's slipping through your fingers, you can absolutely grasp it in the end. That's when you reflect and see if your happy with yourself. Don't look at just the bad things of your experience, recognize the good and silly times too because they're what makes your experience memorable.

While pursuing your dreams in life, remember to keep your eye on the target. Catch the rolling bagel down the hill before it rolls too far for you to grasp it then you might end up lost in circles.

Poem #2

When You Are Old  

William Butler Yeats p 833

I like this cute little love poem. Yeats is talking about love, and referring to an old woman who should reminisce about her young romantic past. He expresses his love for her and reminds her of a love that was so strong. This is a nice poem you can share with your partner or family.

This poem is worthy of sharing because it is another voice of love from a human being, something that we can relate to! He said although many people loved her when she was young, there was only one man who truly loved her as she grew older. Isn't that sweet? Hey, if you don't see that now, you might want to open your eyes, because that is true. Don't we all want to be loved for who we are, forever? It is not in our nature to be lonely.

Yeats wrote this poem for/about Maud Gonne. He liked her alot, and she was a big influence on his writing even though she was married to a guy named Major John McBride.