tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post7814380817546562802..comments2023-11-05T01:06:15.561-08:00Comments on 20th Century Literature: Assignment 2 (Part B): Student Reactions toward 20th Century US LiteratureMechatotorohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15816943718402270287noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-57909699109924721712008-11-10T14:06:00.000-08:002008-11-10T14:06:00.000-08:00I would like to add a comment about the ballad of ...I would like to add a comment about the ballad of the sad cafe. I think that Miss Amelia was not in love with the hunchback, she loved him as a child. Miss Amelia did not like to see children terrified or hurt, and her first imperssion of cousin Lymon was exactly that one:dusty, scarcely more than four feet tall, little legs, and (por si fuera poco) he started crying!!!<BR/>think about "the hunchback of notredamme," he had the phisical appearence of a child, and Miss Amelia loved him and wanted to protect him. on page 46 it says that she always gets homesick when she was not near him, this is what mothers feel and not what a woman who loves a man feels. I mean, we can miss the person, but to get homesick??? I do not think so.angiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06474932668482708723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-25104047943625827012008-11-10T13:49:00.000-08:002008-11-10T13:49:00.000-08:00Since I am doing the comment late I see that all I...Since I am doing the comment late I see that all I wanted to comment was already said, my comment about “Maggie” will be based on attacks (nothing personal) to what has already been posted. I totally disagree with Marcia and Raquel and their idea of social determinism. Marcia said “Maggie was doomed since the very begging to be who she was” If Maggie would have the strength and the conviction of being able to mark the difference instead of deciding to be what she was supposedly doomed to be by society, her reality would have been totally different. Take us, for example; we who live in a corrupt, violent, dirty, unmoral (and any negative adjective you can imagine) society, but it does not mean that we are condemned to follow this patter; yet, the majority of people will not fight against this social force because it is not easy, but it is possible to fight it, and some people do it. Stephen Crane’s Maggie was depicting a pessimist story where we do not see any real help or hope, but the fact that this is one of the themes of modernism does not mean that it is our reality, this is Crane’s perception of a reality told throughout Maggie’s life . Additionally, I understand that social determinism either destroys or helps the individual if it wants. If it decides to destroy the individual, it would be fallen in the naturalism movement because it grotesquely portrays the image of the environment destroying us. But again, this idea of naturalism is also perceived; therefore, marcia’s , raquel’s and my comment are valid; but I had to point out that I completely disagree with them.angiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06474932668482708723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-23840502456916319622008-11-10T13:06:00.000-08:002008-11-10T13:06:00.000-08:00"Maggie, a girl from the Streets"I think that the ..."Maggie, a girl from the Streets"<BR/><BR/>I think that the final product of the novel in the reader is pity, which is something I do not like. The novel fails in accurately reproducing real life, trying to produce one particular effect in the reader. The events around Maggie’s life and death could be seen as part of real life. Nonetheless, the fact that they are addressed as social determinism diminishes the veracity of the novel. In that sense, only by looking Maggie’s background at the beginning of the story, her family, and social environment, we can deduct how is going to be the rest of her existence. Then you continue reading and that is exactly what you find in the rest of the novel. The tragic ending, for instance, was the most predictable way to finish it. I know that Crane belongs to naturalism, and that naturalism comes as a grotesque portrait of reality; however, for me, the novel resulted kind of artificial, even though life can even be tougher.Job Céspedes Ortizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17866444636101912804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-37698393262504157272008-11-10T12:58:00.000-08:002008-11-10T12:58:00.000-08:00Este comentario ha sido eliminado por el autor.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-77203483165545093822008-11-10T12:47:00.000-08:002008-11-10T12:47:00.000-08:00In Maggie, one can see how a person is victim of a...In Maggie, one can see how a person is victim of an abusive and depressing environment. Social determinism is reflected in an endless cycle of poverty, abuse, violence, lack of education, and consequently, lack of opportunities. <BR/>Mrs. Johnson, Jimmie and Pete stand in contrast with Maggie. She is naïve, kind and pure while the rest reveal their double standard, which makes it very ironic. None of them take responsibility of their deeds. In the case of Mrs. Johnson, she couldn’t believe Maggie’s conduct when she left with Pete: “She’s deh devil’s own chil’, Jimmie,”… “Ah, who would t’ink such a bad girl could grow up in our fambly” WHAT …come on! Then, Jimmie abandoned pregnant women and he wants to save his reputation because of what his sister has done?? It shows that this disastrous upbringing shapes and shrinks a person’s view to the extent that he/she is unable to manifest the slightest change and break the cycle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-58503248592472352172008-11-10T09:17:00.000-08:002008-11-10T09:17:00.000-08:00The Ballad of the Sad Café.After reading some of t...The Ballad of the Sad Café.<BR/><BR/>After reading some of the comments my classmates post in the blog, I have to say that I really agree with Allan in his idea of the narrator of the novel. In this novel there is something rotten (jajaja) about the narrator and it is that I do not see it reliable at all. The description of the characters it is so grotesque, I personaly believed manipulated, and while narrating flashbacks mmm not reliable at all for me.!!!<BR/><BR/><BR/>"Maggie, a girl from the Streets" <BR/><BR/><BR/>What a novel, its language and the idea of social determinism is amazing. Many of the words were new for me and I was force to use my dictionary most of the times. The word selection or the diction really cause an effect in every single reader. The novel shows readers how difficult might be life for many people. In my opinion I felt sorry about the girl and how she was treated by her mother. (GROTESQUE)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-14541898112087429662008-11-10T08:53:00.000-08:002008-11-10T08:53:00.000-08:00As the professor explained to us in class, the env...As the professor explained to us in class, the environment affects families degrading its members to low conditions of poverty, squalor, and scorn, indeed. Very few families come out of that disgusting way of living and success. The people who are born in these slums are forced to live in the indifference and their position toward life is unreal, today they are alive but tomorrow they do not know. Maggie`s parents contribute negatively to maintain this poor condition because there is no other option available. Maggie wished to live with better conditions and nurtures Jimmy despite his resistance. She looks in every man a possible true lover to help her overcome the situation. Her destiny is to do what any girl might do in that social level, to sell her body while she is young enough. It is important to mention that Crane wrote this story in the 19th Century and in the 21th Century is still updated, based upon a factual event that affects Latin American countries as well as the United States, a powerful nation.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12238573568142753907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-12961293056885224522008-11-10T08:40:00.000-08:002008-11-10T08:40:00.000-08:00Maggie, a Girl from the Streets... I`ve been readi...Maggie, a Girl from the Streets... I`ve been reading all the comments and it is clear that Stephen Crane really moves people from "their chairs". Not only its a matters of social consciousness, but it also deals with the most deep of all human values: compassion... Alex, I also thought about the fact that we get to know Maggie just a little. I wander if this is a way to make the reader react and recreate by the setting what Maggie confronts. <BR/>Yes, once again, Crane calls for the grotesque part of society, which we want it or not, it`s us... Every day we see crime in the streets and we blame on these "thieves." But aren`t all of us part of this game? Creating social boundaries that make some people shine while others simply end up as Maggie- a flower in the swamp- or as little Tommie whose existence stops without any importance… just dies.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00435035614537158952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-21004309319050752972008-11-09T21:58:00.000-08:002008-11-09T21:58:00.000-08:00I consider "Maggie, a Girl from the Streets" a rea...I consider "Maggie, a Girl from the Streets" a realistic representation of society. Today, lack of education and poor interpersonal relationships are the main causes of poverty. Why? Well… because when people ignore all the opportunities they have to grow there is stagnation; that is exactly what Maggie did. I mean, without education and the support of our family we will become more dissatisfied with our life. The short story reveals that in the ruin of Maggie, it is she, her brother, and her mother who were responsible because of the manner in which they handled their relation.Nataliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10694746331795284980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-43806679314703358492008-11-09T19:16:00.000-08:002008-11-09T19:16:00.000-08:00I have been rejected by some girls in my life (ple...I have been rejected by some girls in my life (please, don’t calculate how many they were). The excuse: you are not the kind of guy I like. McCullers doctrine of love has been one of the ideas that I mostly have enjoyed in my life since I have been thinking about it previously. I agree in a relationship there is someone who loves more than the other. However, in my opinion, the way that McCullers exposes it is even scary. <BR/><BR/>What I mostly appreciate is the manner he explains that every one of us can be the target of a passionate lover without an exact reason. The lover realizes all the defects and faults of the beloved, but still loves him/her. Carl Jung introduces the concept of “archetype” as the innate and common images that individuals have and transmit every generation. One of the main archetypes is the “anima,” which represents the image that men have about the other sex, ideal partners and mothers. The correlated archetype is the “animus” which represents the women’s image about the perfect man. I would like to refer about the second one. What would be the Amelia’s animus. <BR/><BR/>Even though, Marvin Macy represents the “perfect couple” after his change (honest, religious, attractive), he is not a significant target of Amelia’s love; in other words, Marvin is not the kind of guy she likes! As most of you (partners) have highlighted, Amelia is not a common woman. She is very masculine. Therefore, as she is very different, her animus cannot be so usual. That is the reason I believe she falls in love with Lymon. A hunchback: a particular animus, don’t you think?<BR/><BR/>I really value how the author destroys archetypes and stereotypes, how he makes us think about what is really beautiful or not. Haven’t we in a moment of our lives considered that couple of an old man with a young girl, or that ugly guy with a beautiful girl, as inappropriate. I invite you, as McCullers does, to avoid archetypes. I’ll try too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-11334447184509682008-11-09T18:54:00.000-08:002008-11-09T18:54:00.000-08:00Hi!! I didn’t understand the significance of Marvi...Hi!! I didn’t understand the significance of Marvin Macy’s letter to Miss Amelia… why it was written partly in pencil and partly with ink???Nataliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10694746331795284980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-20858712422175734552008-11-09T18:53:00.001-08:002008-11-09T18:53:00.001-08:00This is my last comment on Maggie. I was thinking ...This is my last comment on Maggie. I was thinking that although Maggie is the main character and that the novel is entitled “Maggie...” we don’t know so much about her. I mean we only know about her by her actions but not by her thoughts and own feelings. Even though we can infer it through her actions, it would be just inferences. We don’t know well her psychology which leads to a great number of possibilities and interpretations about Maggie’s death. Some people say she was killed, others say that she died from pneumonia, and others think she committed suicide. However, the result is the same; she passed away…or went to hell. Which one do you think the cause of Maggie’s death is?Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11731398019060020273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-57910589278320236882008-11-09T18:53:00.000-08:002008-11-09T18:53:00.000-08:00I like the emphasis the author makes on the settin...I like the emphasis the author makes on the setting in terms of time. Since the beginning of the novella, McCullers provides a detailed description of the location and weather; later on, he connects the seasons of the year and Amelia’s personality. I think the seasons rule her attitude toward reality. For example, during summer, she shows furious, isolated, confused, on the defensive. “Autumn was a happy time... during these weeks there was a quality about miss Amelia that many people noticed. She laughed often, with a deep ringing laugh.” And in winter, (climax) is when she was left alone in the town. She feels lost. Definitely, there is not spring, so there is not a rebirth. I found interesting that after winter the story jumps to summer again. … I like this strategy because it makes you to feel involved in the story.Nataliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10694746331795284980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-82698525477665357082008-11-09T18:30:00.000-08:002008-11-09T18:30:00.000-08:00Este comentario ha sido eliminado por el autor.Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11731398019060020273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-74880120969944195822008-11-09T18:03:00.000-08:002008-11-09T18:03:00.000-08:00Reputation, is it relevant? Our reputation is made...Reputation, is it relevant? Our reputation is made up over our own concept of morality, over the patter of conduct that every one of us has in a society. Since every culture over the world is different, its behaviors and, consequently, the reputation are different too. American code of conduct has been based on the Puritan morality. Over their strict values and double morality is based “Maggie, a girl from the streets”’ moral background and evaluated Maggie’s reputation.<BR/><BR/>We discussed about Maggie’s intelligence. From a personal point of view, Maggie is intelligent but unfortunately ingenuous. She was living in a horrible, detrimental environment. Stephen Crane manifests all the naturalistic features in the way that he describes Maggie, Jimmy and Tommy’s surroundings. The author describes their life in a poor, criticizing, and judging neighborhood, with irresponsible, alcoholic parents; however, the author makes special relevance over the violence experienced there. <BR/><BR/>In such insecure and harmful surrounding, isn’t it normal a wish of escaping? Maggie is intelligent since she recognizes the damage caused by her atmosphere, and consequently escaping from it. But, she is ingenuous believing her happiness is directly related with Pete. Ingenuous since she believes that other person would “build” her happiness. Ingenuous when thinking that her society would accept she was going to live with Pete. <BR/><BR/>Her family rejects her. Her society rejects her too. Maggie’s hope relies on Pete. When she loses Pete (if she ever had him), finally, her environment completely destroys her. Crane does not explain the reason of her death. It is not necessary. Her death is due to her environment’s action. <BR/><BR/>Some might say that her death is the end of everything, the end of her suffering. However, even though she loses everything, there is something that continues on her side, damaging her forever: HER REPUTATION.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-68611220309541834812008-11-09T17:26:00.000-08:002008-11-09T17:26:00.000-08:00I would have liked to post this before, but up to ...I would have liked to post this before, but up to now I could finish with this too long comment. I hope you get my point.<BR/><BR/>It still confuses me the plot because I think the story is not told chronologically since I see a flashback on chapter 16. This account of the events intends to contribute to clarity a little bit the confusing plot and to add one more theory about Maggie’s mysterious death. First, for me the novel suggests Maggie left and came back home just once. Second, on chapter 16 page 31 “the morning after Maggie had departed from home” Pete told her “Oh, go teh hell”; consequently, I agree she wandered on the streets. However, on page 26 of chapter 14, the novel says “Three weeks had passed since the girl had left home”. Pete was then with Maggie when he ran into Nellie; that is, Maggie continued watching him. On chapter 15, Maggie comes back home. On chapter 17 page 33, we know about a wet evening “several months after the last chapter” about a girl that “threw changing glances at men who passed her, giving smiling invitations to men…” I bet that girl must be Maggie.<BR/><BR/>Thus, we know what she was doing since she went home. I suppose she prostituted herself to survive on streets; therefore, for coming back at home it would not be necessary nor allowed to continue doing it. However, the latter point is debatable. I have just one question: why does an excerpt of chapter 18 is in the end of chapter 17? Does it imply the reader that the patronizing behavior Pete has was responsible (at least partially) for Maggie’s process of self-degeneration? <BR/><BR/>Consequently, for me Maggie died after she came back home. Why? At the beginning of chapter 16, Pete was mad with her because he did not want to loose his job so that t the owner of the salon was angered with him because of Jimmie’s fight. When Maggie asked him “But where kin I go?” he felt the question “was a direct attempt to give some responsibility in a matter that did not concern him”. Pete told her “Oh, go teh hell”. It is worthy to mention the parallelism of what Pete does to Maggie with what Jimmie does to a girl called Hattie (p. 29, ch. 15). The circumstances of both girls are so similar up to the extent Jimmie shut up and told her “Oh, go teh hell”. However, previously she “stepped closer and laid her fingers on his arm. ‘But, look-a-here-‘”. What did she mean to look at here? Was maybe she pregnant?<BR/><BR/>There are so many similarities between this passage and the one of Pete and Maggie in the Salon that maybe the former one foreshadows what is going to happen to Maggie. What if Maggie came back because she was pregnant? What if she told it to Pete? What if that issue implied responsibilities in a matter that did not concern him? What if he got as mad as he did with the waiter, as drunk as he used to be, and as worried for losing his job for his boss considering he did not have the “respectability of an advanced type” (p.31, ch16) he insisted so much? What if Pete murdered Maggie?<BR/><BR/>If my theory is debunked: when did she come back at home?<BR/> If I am wrong I am likely to support Erick’s theory about Maggie committing suicide. Maybe I am just speculating too much, but I enjoy theories about plots and even though it is hard to find clear support in the text it seemed to me that some coincidences in the text allowed coming up with mine.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04285397609928738096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-1955417912313052362008-11-09T17:06:00.000-08:002008-11-09T17:06:00.000-08:00I think that what seem grotesque to the eye in “Th...I think that what seem grotesque to the eye in “The Ballad of the Sad Cafe” is only a distraction, and the novel deals with the most normal and common issues of modern society. For me, the story just put upside down the internal ugliness, and makes it external, so we can perceive it like if we saw it with our own eyes. I think that that is effective because we get easily scandalize for rendering so much importance to what our eyes tell, and we tend to be kind of shallow. But still we have a good portray of how life with its problems in modern society is. Aside for that, I have to say that the novel was not that interesting.Job Céspedes Ortizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17866444636101912804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-39991172285783320932008-11-09T16:18:00.000-08:002008-11-09T16:18:00.000-08:00“Maggie, A Girl from the Streets” is a novella tha...“Maggie, A Girl from the Streets” is a novella that is really different from all the things we’ve read in the class and I consider its ideas oppose other works and genres we’ve studied. For instance, this piece is completely opposite to Romanism (of course since it is realism!); it presents a reality that is awfully cruel and that shouts to your face “there’s no future and there’s nothing beyond this putrid place.” Moreover, Crane’s work contradicts puritans beliefs by omitting God completely, and one may thing that in such a horrible and sick environment there has to be some sort of reference to it (God), but thank God that there is not such a thing (other wise it would be a “pandereta” novella). Furthermore, I wonder what a puritan would say after reading so many times “the devil” and “hell.” But what really caught my attention was the end of the story. To read that Jimmie comes into the house and informs his mother that Maggie is dead is a shock to the mind (at least it was to me!). There is a gab that we don’t how to fulfill: what happen to Maggie after she was kicked out of her house. Moreover, that Maggie is dead already and not dying when Jimmie comes to the house creates a sense of impotence.David Boza M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01725793425992974857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-6838262546465720132008-11-09T15:37:00.000-08:002008-11-09T15:37:00.000-08:00As many have sad “The Ballad of the Sad Café” is a...As many have sad “The Ballad of the Sad Café” is a complete mess! How come Marvin loves Amelia and she does not love him back?! But that is no all; Amelia is in love with Cousin Lymon?! A hunchback!? Really! While Cousin Lymon is falling for Marvin?! What is this? Is it some kind of Mexican soap opera? No. It is a depiction of life. When A loves B, 99.9% of the times, B is also in love with C, To make things worse, C loves Z. I guess I read the story in a romantic point of view because I saw how the characters changed for good when they were in love; of course I noticed their physical traits, but I did not take that as a major problem. I think love is what allowed them to see beyond the way they look or act. That is the reason why I think the major theme is love. However, as we all noticed, this is a tragedy. No one achieved what they wanted. And yes! This is a quite predictable novella. Nevertheless, what is stranger is that the same “love triangle” happens in real life and it has the same effect: No one wins. Well, more losses than winnings…Herickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17513184612320438661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-31412396401500180202008-11-09T15:32:00.000-08:002008-11-09T15:32:00.000-08:00I would like to talk about some similarities betwe...I would like to talk about some similarities between “The Ballad of the Sad Café” and “Maggie, a Girl from the Streets” regarding the description of the 20th Century. First, people in both stories see terrible acts of violence with indifference, which suggests they are accustomed to them. Both stories describe awful fights such as the one between Jimmie and Devil´s Row children, and the fight between Miss Amelia and Marvin Macy. However, the audiences of these fights don’t do anything to stop them. Then, these novels use the weather in order to describe the ugly environment in which they take place. The autumn, for example, is important because it represents desolated places fill of despair. Actually, dust is a relevant element of this season used several times in both stories to depict a gloomy environment.Karlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12682057443157258535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-54511724021799929622008-11-09T14:45:00.000-08:002008-11-09T14:45:00.000-08:00Este comentario ha sido eliminado por el autor.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07913412640865314706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-2191767722889097892008-11-09T14:44:00.000-08:002008-11-09T14:44:00.000-08:00For me “The ballad of the Sad Cafe” is a story abo...For me “The ballad of the Sad Cafe” is a story about the internal ugliness of a society and the power that people want to achieve in order to be happy. First, why do we think that Amelia is so uncommon? In fact, for me her appearance represents the power that people in the 20th century were looking for (since she was muscular and big, a signal o a powerful person). Moreover, I think that the relationships that are presented in this novel are a representation of ambition and also the power mention before. For example, when I think about Amelia and Marvin Macy’s relationship I think about a relationship based on power. I am saying this because if you realize Marvin Macy was the handsome guy that every girl in that town wanted, so if Amelia married him nobody else could have him. What I am saying is that for Amelia Marvin Macy was just a prize that she wanted in order to establish her power in the town. On the other hand, the same aspect is shown in Amelia’s relation with Lymon. Even though he does not love her, he was with her because he was obtaining something that he never had before (we need to remember that Amelia ruled the town). Therefore, the power that they obtained being with their couples was the power and recognition that they were looking for. Moreover, these action represents also the ugliness contained in humans’ soul (represented in Amelia’s and Lymon’s physical appearance) since they did not care about others feelings they jus care about what they could get. This is shows the way of thinking of many people in this era. Hence, this is my interpretation about the “Ballad of the Sad Cafe”. However, if you think that what I saw is not correct please let me know.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07913412640865314706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-82682009628289005082008-11-09T12:21:00.000-08:002008-11-09T12:21:00.000-08:00Hi!Regarding "Maggie, a Girl from the Streets," I ...Hi!Regarding "Maggie, a Girl from the Streets," I want to point out an interesting characterization technique which is the description of the actions of characters that we already know without explicitly stating their name. For example, in the last chapter, we know that “ the woman” is Maggie’s mother, Mary, because a woman dressed in black comes in saying “Ah, poor Mary,” and we realize that “the unshaven man” is Jimmie because Mary tells him “ Go git yer sister, Jimmie;” otherwise, we would have had to guess who these people are. What do you think is the purpose of this? My first impression was that the narrator wanted to keep the readers’ attention by making us think a new important character was being introduced; however, on a second thought, I believe this is done to construct rounder characters, that is, to portray more plausible human beings that are not always consistent but change and react according to circumstances. If we are told who is talking or walking, we know what to expect from that character and often we pay little attention to the details. From another perspective, eliminating proper names also makes us reflect on the construction of our own identity, and how in our modern world many people feel insignificant, just one more in a million Mary’s.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-59467674038666185332008-11-09T12:14:00.000-08:002008-11-09T12:14:00.000-08:00I think that "Maggie, a Girl from the Streets" is...I think that "Maggie, a Girl from the Streets" is a very realistic (and some times naturalistic) story. For example, if we apply this novel to Costa Rica’s context, we will realize that we are living exactly the same story, especially if we think about places like, Los Guido de Desamparados where people only know one reality that is poverty. Therefore, they always have to live under the same conditions. They only know what they are allowed to have, so if someone tries to be different they do not know how to do it. "Maggie, a Girl from the Streets" is a very good example of how people are accustom to one (one environment) reality, so if they find something different out side they don’t know how to react. Thus, these people only have the chance to accept what they have and continue living as Vanessa said fighting against the environment with the only possibility to go to a nightmare that never ends. Also, "Maggie, a Girl from the Streets" is a novel that shows how apathy is part of the way of view of the 20th century since as we just think about ourselves, and we don’t care about others. Hence, “Maggie, a Girl from the Streets" is not just a good example for the 20th century ideology, but also an example of Costa Ricans reality.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07913412640865314706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513634282527192516.post-46183359732071818782008-11-08T17:28:00.000-08:002008-11-08T17:28:00.000-08:00Warning: the following comment does not attempt to...Warning: the following comment does not attempt to be disrespectful toward anyone’s religious values; nevertheless, it does present a direct Christian position of an issue discussed in The Ballad of the Sad Café. <BR/><BR/>Hi, everyone! I want to draw your attention to a specific passage of the The Ballad of the Sad Café that deals with the value of life. Let’s find page 55: <BR/><BR/>There is a deeper reason why the café was so precious to this town. And this deeper reason has to do with a certain pride that had not hitherto been known in these parts. To undestand this new pride the cheapness of human life must be kept in mind.(...) Life could become one long dim scramble just to get the things needed to keep alive. And the confusing point is this: All useful things have a price, and are bought with money, as that is the way the world is run. (...) But no value has been put on human life; it is given to us free and taken without being paid for. What is the worth? If you look around, at times the value may seem to be little or nothing at all. Often after you have sweated and tried and things are no better for you, there comes a feeling deep down in the soul that you are not worth much.<BR/><BR/>Please, take a close look at this passage. I find it incredibly depressing, as it exemplifies what the professor meant when he talked about society’s attempt of “banishing God." As most of you know, I do believe in the Christian God (the only God I believe to be true), so I just want to show you the direct contradiction found between the ideas in this passage and those of the Bible (which I am convinced contains God’s message of redemption for humanity). If you have decided not to continue reading because I’m starting to sound religious, consider it twice, this might enrich your understanding of Christianity and the traditional religious values in the U.S. <BR/><BR/>Let’s begin our discussion with the “cheapness of human life.” According to the narrator people “are not worth much,” which opposes completely to God’s Word, the Bible. Just to exemplify my point take a look at Paul’s words in the book of I Peter 1:18-21 (NIV):<BR/><BR/>18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.<BR/><BR/>In other words, according to the Bible, Christ himself gave his blood to pay the price of the sins of every person on earth. Thus, humans are not worthless. On the contrary! They are worth the highest price of all: the value of the blood of an innocent man who was sent and willingly accepted to give himself for humanity, which to a large extent decided to take God out of the picture. Let me explain this to you a little further, I am sure you have all have heard about this before, but I would like to develop its background: <BR/>1. The Bible says everyone is a sinner (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=52&chapter=3&verse=22&end_verse=24&version=31&context=context)<BR/> 2. It also states that the wages of sin are death (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%206:23;&version=31). <BR/>3. Then, it narrates how God sent his Son, Jesus, to come and pay the debt of humanity (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%205:6-11;&version=31), 4. and that whoever believes that Christ died and rose again from the dead and confesses with his/her mouth that Jesus is Lord, will be saved (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romanos%2010:8-10;&version=31). <BR/><BR/>Do you now see what it means to “be bought by blood”? It means that the lives of those who accept Jesus’ invitation to pay their debt will be worth a great deal, and will, indeed, be paid for in heaven, unlike the narrator’s premise in this novella that “no value has been put on human life; it is given to us free and taken without being paid for.” I hope I was clear enough with my arguments. Please, feel free to ask any question and give your opinion about this. And remember that, after all, the 20th Century was a “time of waste and confusion” (p.52). Thanks for reading. See you later.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com