The Stranger: tarjeta de la tema

Themes:
-Death should not be feared because it is imminent.
-The act of independent thought is the mark of an individual and therefore of human consciousness.

Subjects:
-Alienation
-Death
-Consciousness
-Indifference
-Judgement

Conflicts:
-Man vs. court
-Man vs. society
-Conformity vs. individualism

Vehicles:
-Imagery
-Paradox
-Irony
-Flashback

Quotes:
-"Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don't know. I got a telegram from the home: 'Mother deceased. Funeral tomorrow. Faithfully yours.' That doesn't mean anything Maybe it was yesterday."

-"Nothing, nothing mattered, and I knew why. So did he. Throughout the whole absurd llife I'd lived, a dark wind had been rising toward me from somewhere deep in my future, across years that were still to come, and as it passed, this wind leveled everything that was offered to me at the time, in years no more real than the ones I was living."

-I said that people never change their lives, that in any case one life was as good as another and that I wasn't dissatisfied with mine here at all.

-She said, “If you go slowly, you risk getting sunstroke. But if you go too fast, you work up a sweat and then catch a chill inside the church.” She was right. There was no way out.

-A minute later she asked me if I loved her. I told her it didn't mean anything but that I didn't think so.

Summary:
-Camus' novel opens up with the death of the narrator's mother. From a start, readers realize that he is different and completely unaffected by his mother's death. He goes through a series of obstacles which end up in society questioning his moral values towards the end. He starts dating his girlfriend and questionable fiancee Marie, becomes entangled in the middle of a confrontation between his neighbor, Raymond, and his strumpet and her Arab brother, and ends up shooting the Arab. This all leads to a trial where the magistrate, prosecutor, and chaplain become misled in their assumptions about Meursault's morals. The novel ends with the death of Merusault.

Major Characters:
-Raymond
-Arab
-Perez
-the prosecutor
-the chaplain
-the magistrate
-Marie
-Meursault

Title's Significance:
-The title, The Stranger, is exemplary of the relationship between Meursault and society, as well as Meursault and himself. To both himself and society, he is a stranger because makes a decision to not conform or follow any rules.

S.M.E.L.L.

Driving a Mercedes Benz stereotypically connotes wealth, high class, and superb taste. If you own a Mercedes Benz then you are among the elite and your car says all of this to the world as you zoom by others driving their run of the mill trucks and mini vans. You’re different, or so the manufacturers would lead you to believe.




In this commercial Mercedes Benz strives to give off the impression that their car will make you appear smart because of your vehicle choice. The woman who attempts to order fast food in the library obviously lacks in the common sense department, even though she strikes one as an attractive woman. Mercedes Benz compares their car to her, saying that not only is a Mercedes striking to the eye, but is also a smart choice because of its performance ability. This message, however, is entirely subjective in that some feel that choosing a Mercedes makes you ignorant rather than smart. The statement, “Beauty is nothing without brains.” is also subjective. Depending on the person choosing, lacking in brains may be preferable.

The ethos of the commercial comes in the form of disdain for those who lack common sense and a longing to have both beauty and brains. The look on the librarian’s face evokes the first. Speechless at first, the librarian has a bewildered facial expression. The silence of the library places emphasis on the woman’s ignorance as the place is obviously not a restaurant. Mercedes encourages the viewers to pay closer attention as the woman proceeds to whisper while those around her remain silent. Once the attention is captured, the commercial proceeds without words and relaxing, elegant music is played as the car being sold is displayed. The viewer, still in a state of mockery of the woman, is now receptive to how they can avoid becoming like her. The solution: Mercedes Benz has both beauty and brains.

Mercedes’ advertising strategy is ingenious as it first makes one self conscience as to whether or not they have beauty and brains, and then proceeds to offer a solution. For the insecure, the situation is perfect. They can have it all if they just buy the car.

vocab poem

Ferocious butterflies anxiously beat their wings within, transforming formerly amiable people into irascible ones instantly. The silence is effusive with apprehension; the mind, thoughts. The gargantuan yellow vehicle piques interest as it releases the tawdry team onto the field. The once odiferous and redolent, the grass is tainted with the stench of opposition; a stench evocative of bloodshed. Tap, tap, pass. Mesmerizing rhythm and motion of the outer body attempt to counter inner madness. Tap, tap, pass. The first whistle blew. One chance. One moment. One game winning finesse. Tap, tap, shot. Exuberance rises with every touch; every sting of the ball after it crashes into your flesh. Tap, Tap, check. Every play must be strategic; every move, dexterous. Tap, tap, pass. Give it all you’ve got. Tap, tap, sacrifice.

irascible (adj)- easily provoked to anger
effusive (adj)- pouring out; overflowing
redolent (adj)- having a pleasant odor
pique (v)- to excite
mesmerize (v) - to hypnotize
tawdry (adj)- low or mean
finesse (n)- a trick, artifice, or stratagem
evocative (adj)- tending to evoke
exuberance (n)- the state of abounding in vitality
dexterous (adj)- skillful in the use of hands or body

Music Essay

Standing at 5’8 inches with peroxide bleached, blonde hair, Marshall Mathers has taken the rap industry aback with his unprecedented and unexpected success as a white rapper. Like many other rappers, Mathers, or “Eminem,” stirs much controversy and mixed emotions with his lyrical content; however, instead of rapping about sex, drugs, and money, Mathers takes on the more prevalent and painful issues plaguing today’s society. His perseverance and dedication to music and relaying the truth through that music has landed him our number one spot as artist of the year.
Growing up, Marshall had anything but an easy life, as he often shares with his listeners. From failing ninth grade three times, being kicked out of his house, and being shot at, all by the age of sixteen, Mathers has certainly dealt with his fare share of hardship. Throughout all of these unpredictable changes, however, one thing remained the same: his passion for rap music. When asked how he first got into hip-hop he said, “The first hip-hop (stuff) I ever heard was that song "Reckless" from the Breakin' soundtrack; my cousin played me the tape when I was, like, nine. There was this mixed school I went to in fifth grade, one with lots of Asian and black kids and everybody was into break dancing. They always had the latest rap tapes-the Fat Boys, L.L. Cool J's Radio-and I thought it was the most incredible (stuff) I'd ever heard.” Mathers also tells us that his first encounter with the Beastie Boys was when he determined that he wanted to rap.
He eagerly pursued his passion, rhyming whenever possible, simultaneously fighting the stereotypes of the industry and the streets that white boys can’t rap. He expresses his angst with this in his song “The Way I Am” saying, “And I don’t have the patience to deal with these cocky Caucasians who think I’m some wigga who just tries to be black...” Eminem makes it known that he is not trying to be anything but himself, “I’m not Mr. ‘Nsync and I’m not what your friends think. I’m not Mr. Friendly, I can be a prick...” While he embraces the title of rap artist, Eminem does not act according to what people expect from him; rather, he acts in his own way and allows people to react as they choose.
This attitude not only prevails in his conveyance of his own life, but translates into his expression of his thoughts pertaining to issues in today’s society; bowdlerizing very little as he attacks modern society and issues. In “The Way I Am,” Marshall makes valid points while critiquing the American mentality in regards to tragedy. “When a dude’s gettin bullied and shoots up your school and they blame is on Marilyn-and the heroin.” We immediately look for the closest scapegoat; the scapegoat of least resistance. Eminem counters this mentality, provoking his listeners to seek a deeper answer, asking “Where were the parents at?” Additionally, the shooting took place in “middle America;” therefore,“Now its a tragedy. Now its so sad to see.” Shootings happen everyday in the places classified as lower or in the ghetto. These casualties are just that, casual. On the other hand, When an upper class school such as Virginia Tech experiences a shooting, the country drops everything to mourn the deaths of the innocent victims.
Eminem is known for his controversial lyrics and hardcore life, and depending on personal preferences, he has been labeled both offensive and inspiring. Many feel that his lyrics speak the truth that needs to be heard, that no one else would choose to express. Eminem explains,“ A lot of people think a lot worse $#*@ than I do. They just don't say it. If I'm crazy enough to think it, then I'm crazy enough to say it. So who's worse?” This statement should earn respect from you whether you agree with his lyrics or not. Yes, the things he raps about may not be flowery, but within his lyrics always lies an element of truth and reality that deserves kudos. His contribution to music is undeniable, as he engages people of all kinds for one reason or another; uniting them with a song, as music should. In light of this, I believe Eminem inspires people musically, but he inspires more of his listeners than anything. When asked his opinion on his influence he said, “I never wanted to be a role model but I am aware that kids are looking up to me...I hope they look up to me and get inspired to get out from their tragic situations.”
Marshall Mathers pushes the envelope in music and life, encouraging people to revaluate their own cookie-cutter lives, or the notions they accept because of society’s influence. An artist like this is a rarity in today’s world; thus, making him worthy of artist of the year.



"The Way I Am"

[Eminem]
Whatever..
Dre, just let it run
Aiyyo turn the beat up a little bit
Aiyyo.. this song is for anyone.. fuck it
Just shut up and listen, aiyyo..

I sit back with this pack of Zig Zags and this bag
Of this weed it gives me the $%^$ needed to be
The most meanest MC on this -- on this Earth
And since birth I've been cursed with this curse to just curse
And just blurt this berserk and bizarre $%^$ that works
And it sells and it helps in itself to relieve
All this tension dispensin these sentences
Gettin this stress that's been eatin me recently off of this chest
And I rest again peacefully (peacefully)..
But at least have the decency in you
To leave me alone, when you freaks see me out
In the streets when I'm eatin or feedin my daughter
To not come and speak to me (speak to me)..
I don't know you and no,
I don't owe you a $%^$$%^$ thing
I'm not Mr. N'Sync, I'm not what your friends think
I'm not Mr. Friendly, I can be a prick
If you tempt me my tank is on empty (is on empty)..
No patience is in me and if you offend me
I'm liftin you 10 feet (liftin you 10 feet).. in the air
I don't care who is there and who saw me destroy you
Go call you a lawyer, file you a lawsuit
I'll smile in the courtroom and buy you a wardrobe
I'm tired of arguin' (of arguin')..
I don't mean to be mean but that's all I can be is just me

[Chorus: Eminem]

And I am, whatever you say I am
If I wasn't, then why would I say I am?
In the paper, the news everyday I am
Radio won't even play my jam
Cause I am, whatever you say I am
If I wasn't, then why would I say I am?
In the paper, the news everyday I am
I don't know it's just the way I am

[Eminem]
Sometimes I just feel like my father, I hate to be bothered
With all of this nonsense it's constant
And, "Oh, it's his lyrical content -
- the song 'Guilty Conscience' has gotten such rotten responses"
And all of this controversy circles me
And it seems like the media immediately
Points a finger at me (finger at me)..
So I point one back at 'em, but not the index or pinkie
Or the ring or the thumb, it's the one you put up
When you don't give a $%^$, when you won't just put up
With the $%^$$%^$ they pull, cause they full of $%^$ too
When a dude's gettin bullied and shoots up his school
And they blame it on Marilyn (on Marilyn).. and the heroin
Where were the parents at? And look where it's at
Middle America, now it's a tragedy
Now it's so sad to see, an upper class ci-ty
Havin this happenin (this happenin)..
Then attack Eminem cause I rap this way (rap this way)..
But I'm glad cause they feed me the fuel that I need for the fire
To burn and it's burnin and I have returned

[Chorus]

[Eminem]
I'm so sick and tired of bein admired
That I wish that I would just die or get fired
And dropped from my label and stop with the fables
I'm not gonna be able to top on "My Name is.."
And pigeon-holed into some pop-py sensation
To cop me rotation at rock'n'roll stations
And I just do not got the patience (got the patience)..
To deal with these cocky caucasians who think
I'm some wigga who just tries to be black cause I talk
With an accent, and grab on my balls, so they always keep askin
The same $%^$ questions ($%^$ questions)..
What school did I go to, what hood I grew up in
The why, the who what when, the where, and the how
'til I'm grabbin my hair and I'm tearin it out
Cause they drivin me crazy (drivin me crazy).. I can't take it
I'm racin, I'm pacin, I stand and I sit
And I'm thankful for ev-ery fan that I get
But I can't take a $%^$, in the bathroom
Without someone standin by it
No I won't sign your autograph
You can call me an $%^$$%^$ I'm glad

[Chorus (except change first word "And" to "Cause")]

hypnopaedia

MATURITY IS OVERRATED.

Society puts an immense amount of pressure on kids to grow up. Between college and life in general, high school is a time when you seek independence and "maturity." But what is maturity really? Responsible? When teenagers act in a manner that is deemed less than adult like, it doesn't mean they are any less responsible, it simply means that they are still a kid at heart; thus, the antithesis of maturity. It is in these moments of childhood relapse that we experience the innocent and unmistakeable bliss of being a child. This feeling is one that rivals ecstasy, replacing the temptation and appeal of drugs. The benefits of  relinquishing our responsibilities as an adult outweigh, by far, the repercussions of their momentary neglect. Why not remain a child for life? For this reason I say: maturity is overrated. 

dramatic monologue

Once upon a time,

When my hair was still brown,

my waist still slim,

my dreams still in tact,

I met the man who would change it all.

A silent fighter he was,

never giving up or just letting it be.

I watched him slave away,

scrutinizing the words on the page.

ever fiber in his being went to the books, to the people,

nothing to me.

I stood like a pillar watching it transpire, 

knowing that what he wanted was what would be. 

He was always on the move, 

only returning home for a photograph or two, 

ones that forced the family together with the fake glue 

he called publicity.

The flashes went off, the poses changed,

but the people at the end of the session remained untouched.

Driven and headstrong,

complacent and silent. 

He rode away on his noble steed, 

his knights in shining greed.

He thought I didn’t know.

I was glad to let him have his ice skaters and Sadie Burkes

because he left me with my pride and joy, my Prince.

The young prince in whom the king took much pride,

dropping anything to be by his side.

never mine. 

We fought over him and how he should grow up,

in the righteous kingdom of his father, or in my humble abode. 

It was never our home. 

The prince grew to be what he was

 and he did leave me with something great, 

even if society thought it was a mistake.

I should’ve intervened. 

I should’ve said no.

Maybe they would still be here.

Maybe I would still have my son.

Maybe I would still have my version of a husband. 

No one came to their rescue, 

no fairy godmother to wave her magic wand,

to heal the injury of my beloved prince,

or safeguard the heart of the king from his assassin’s bullet.

But who says we have to live happily ever after?

Being alive is enough. 

-Lucy Stark 

Found Poem 10/3/08

Finite terms fail to discourage insane stunts

that often lead to the most beautiful, yet severe fronts.

You find yourself stumbling upon your tidy package of disaster,

Savagely impatient, trying to move faster.

But you can’t rush what has been succinctly outlined for you.

You must wait for the sleeping of the fume,

the  dust must settle beneath God’s brassy, incandescent sky

before in the breathless monotony you may lie. 

And as the mortal chill begins to fade

you look to what could have been a spongy blood soaked blade,

turn to the sky, clucking and muttering,

thanking God that your death was not ended by your rushing.