Edith Wharton...you confused me.

Edith Wharton, I commend you for your story that contains a multitude of ironic symbols and a story that makes me think and wonder. I have a question for you: are Ellen and Archer not marrying for the happiness of May? More so, why are they so concerned for the May's happiness?

Here is my own answer:

First of all, we must attempt to understand Ellen and Archers feelings for each other. Even though it has been more than a year since May and Archer have been married, Newland still has feelings for Ellen. When he goes to goes to Boston, he describes May in such a dull way. “She had a grey silk sunshade over her head” (194). Somehow the color grey extrapolates on Ellen’s unhappiness. Right now, we are confused on the roots of her unhappiness. Is it because she still didn't get a divorce and refused to take the money back? or is it because she is away from Newland. Either way, the separate, respected marriages that Ellen and Archer are in, hinder their dismissal of unhappiness. Newland and Ellen have thus far, been quiet around each other, making it seem almost difficult to converse due to their inability to outwardly love each, but chapter twenty four, finally has them talking- but mostly Ellen. Ellen seems almost like an angel or even a sacrificer. She sacrificed her life for May. Even though she is unhappy, she thanks Archer for her realization of truth (the difference between rude and delicate). In essence, Archer has taught her about society and and that “under the dullness there are things so fine and sensitive and delicate that even those I most cared for in my other life look cheap in comparison” (203). Loving her, is nonetheless true when not joined and love is heightened when distance is as well. The difficulties of not being together heighten their love for each other, but they suffer and sacrifice for the happiness of an innocent individual, May. Perhaps, they want to save May from losing her innocence. If this is not the case, why are Ellen and Archer not confessing their love for each other? Why are they so keen on protecting May from unhappiness? Is loss of innocence like a disease? In a way, I think it is. May so far, has gotten no commentary from society, besides that of her wedding. No negative remarks or hatred from her environment and this may be because she hasn't done anything..nothing scandalous at least. Unlike both Archer and Ellen who have had multiple affairs and drama in their lives, May lacks any of this. Even though this makes her life seem dumb, she is a women untouched, non-flawed, and very happy. I feel like Ellen and Archer both see this perfection in May, and want her to remain happy for the rest of her life, hence they do what ever it takes for her to feel protected and comfortable, even if this means sacrificing their love. Technically this sacrifice is not completely seen by the characters, it's a hidden gesture, coming from within. Somewhere in the back of their heads, they see that their lives are miserable, and feel sorry for them selves. Perhaps, even more importantly, they regret their past, and hence want to save May from the same mistakes too.

Living in the Paradox: Connecting William Blake to Grendel

Often times, as human beings, we confuse our self intentionally. Why? Perhaps it is to understand the world, perhaps it is to find meaning in the things we do, and comprehend the evolution of our minds. Technically, we live in this "paradox" of thoughts, just to realize why we are here. Similarly, is the non-human Character of Grendel. Well let me rephrase that, he is a figurative human. He thinks like we do, more so, he confuses him self just like we do. Our main problem within our lives, is who do we listen to? Do we listen to the liars who try and shape the world to cover the flaws, portray them as good (the shaper), or do we listen to our inner conscience that guides us in the path of destiny and existentialism- you are here, just go with the flow, and everything will lay its path (the dragon)? hmm. But, but, but...WHO are we? Are we the creators? If not, who creates us? Is it the same person that creates the older people around us? And now we bring in the poems of William Blake. William Blake's poems are full of paradoxes, depicting the evolution of man as one of innocence to one of knowledge; note that this is not just a superficial definition of man's changing purpose, to be naive then enlighten themselves, rather it is to show that as one ages, it is less likely for one to be pure. We gain knowledge, bad knowledge. Well, okay. Not necessarily bad knowledge, but the knowledge is what causes unhappiness in our life. We are living with so much information, we do things in order for purpose rather for the pure enjoyment- we loose a sense of youthfulness.

Let's take a look at the Songs of Innocence and Experience:

"And all must love the human form,/ In heathen, trunk, or jew;/Where Mercy, Love and Pity dwell/ There God is dwelling too"

This stanza is from the song of innocence. It is interesting that here, God is the creator, the destructor, and the savior. God is mercy, pity, peace, and love, and he is man, too. Man defines the root of the Cycle- the cycle being that of life, in other words, something must be destroyed for something to be created. Hence, referring back to the questioning of our existence, is that fact that we live in order to carry on the cycle. We are our own creators. We start our as little lambs (reference to The Lamb poem by William Blake) then transform into Tigers.

Now for a little more Blake (from the song of Experience):

"The Gods of earth and sea, /Sought nature's to find this Tree/ But their search was all in vain:/There grows one in the Human Brain"

This stanza exemplifies the vulnerability for knowledge, that soon turns into a mistake. Grendel, is restless for knowledge as he fights to know his existence, yet once this knowledge is gained, he regrets it. Such trend of regretting a higher understanding, gaining enlightenment, is the path in the Hero's journey. An "hero" will find the light, and try to return back, but is only rejected, yet again, but tries to become a teacher. Nonetheless, it seems as if a person evolves and becomes "smarter" not for the sake of themselves, but for the sake of others. In such a way, destiny takes its toll. We do not plan the future outcome, we follow the path that is "laid out" for us- the typical "dragon" saying. 

In conclusion, William Blake extrapolates on the fact that life is hindered by knowledge, as a part of man's evolution, causing freight and self doubt. More so, knowledge is a burden that takes away our happiness.

Beginning The Age of Innocence...and liking it so far!

"Though there was already talk of the erection, in the remote metropolitan distances "above the Forties," of a new opera house which should compete in costliness and splendor with those of the great European capitals, the world of fashion was till content to reassemble every old Academy" (1). 

Opening the novel to chapter one and reading the first lines of Edith Wharton's novel made me chuckle. So much drama, well not really, but the descriptions and the people explicitly foreshadow  a novel full of exaggeration, drama, and juicy text. It's like Gossip Girl of the 1900's- can't wait to keep reading on! Perhaps it was because the whole of chapter one revolved around this idea of construction, beauty, fashion, and social aristocracy...my mind was nostalgic...back to the summer days of junior year when I use to watch Gossip Girl, and here the same exact problem the revolved around New York city. It's funny to see that even back then, New York was home to some of the most wealthy, arrogant, egoistic, lustful individuals (such as the one seen in this novel- the Newland Archer). New York was a whole other realm, that was impossible to survive in without the social hierarchy, the poise, and especially insight on the latest drama. Infact, the lives of New Yokers was quite dramatic (they made the smallest things a big deal)...Newland Archer was probably one of these dramatic New Yorkers...and why do I say that? Take a look at page two, the description of why he was late to the opera, he had two reasons. Firstly, New York was a metropolis area and it was not acceptable to arrive early and secondly, he had personally problems- "he dawdled over his cigar." Note, that these reasons today would be considered a mere description for gaining attention, hence the aristocrat life revolved around the level of attention gained and popularity presented. Oh...and did I mention how attending an Oprah performance was the "it" party of the week..it wasn't even fun, even the Archer says this himself, he was dilettante- he cultivated areas of interest without really understand the significance nor understanding the true beauty of an Oprah. He simplify visited the Oprah as a social norm, jumping the bandwagon in order to preserve his popularity...and to see his lady! His lady...a virgin ofcourse! A lovely virgin girl named May. May to me, is symbolic of innocence: her facial expression when she looks at Newland flowers, makes her blush- how cute. But what is sad, is that he has had a sexual past, yet he finds her attractive no cause of personality, but because of her virginity, as she has had a clean past. This some what disgusts me. Why does a women deserve a man who looks for innocence when he himself does not fulfill his own wanting? And so my judging of the New York aristocrat society is shrewd...OH wait! not to mention everyone seems snotty. Take a look at Lawrence lefferts, the biggest hypocrites in the world...and Fullerton Jackson. A bunch of gossipers. I wonder where this is to go. I shall end this blog with a perfect quote from the first chapter, the somewhat sums my views of the dramatic scenes that are about to occur:

"How this miracle of fire and ice was to be created, and to sustain itself in a harsh world, he had never taken the time to think out,but he was content to hold his views without analyzing it,since he knew it was that of all the carefully brushed, white-waist-coated, buttonhole-flowered gentlemen who succeeded each other in the box....on the circle of ladies who were the product of the system" (7).
P.S....women= product of the system!? LAME. Glad I'm not too much of a feminist...or else I would be hating this book right now!