Hills Like White Elephants

Amanda Onalaja

February 18, 2010

AP English III

The interesting thing I’ve come to love and yet despise about Ernest Hemingway, is his ability to end a story with the reader constantly wondering. The Old Man and the Sea was the first of his works I ever read, and by the novel’s end I found myself debating over several possible inferences the story left behind. The same can be said for “Hills Like White Elephants”. Hemingway seems to enjoy encrypting his stories with hidden inferences meant to capture and saturate his readers with curiosity. Take for instance the first paragraph of the story; we are given a setting in Italy at a bar in the midst of a summer heat wave. Out main characters are a man which the narrator refers to as “the American”, and a girl. The paragraph has generously given us a setting; however, questions arise in readers as to who are these unknown characters and what is there relationship. The girl is later revealed to be Jig while the identity of our male character remains hidden. I believe this is an example of ethos because Hemingway portrays this male as unimportant by the lack of characteristics.

Another aspect of “Hills Like White Elephants” I found interesting was the depiction of the female character Jig. In short, there seems to be nothing mature about her. I noticed her odd nature when she compared the beer she was drinking to licorice only to have her “innocence” teased when the American said, “Everything tastes of licorice. Especially all the things you’ve waited to long for, like absinthe”. Upon learning that Absinthe was a form of alcohol I began to wonder how old Jig really was. Further reading enlightened me to the guardian-like persona the man had over her, especially when he seems to be coaxing her into some sort of “operation”. She almost has this childish nature in her when she begs, “Would you please please please please please please please stop talking” to the man.

Despite my small familiarity with Hemingway I have to say I was distressed with the story’s ending; expecting some sort of explanation for the conversation I had just read. Nevertheless, after carefully reviewing the story, I believe I’ve uncovered the hidden meaning behind Jig’s “operation”. The coaxing from the American, the guarantee of happiness, and the urge to please her companion led me to believe Jig has gotten herself into a tight situation, one that mirrors a modern day unplanned pregnancy. The phrase, “It’s just to let the air in”, made me realize Jig was undergoing something of an abortion. The calm way she handles his advances and worries confused me, but then again she was portrayed as somewhat naive therefore I assumed she just may not have known how big of a deal her situation was. Despite the anxiety the male seems to radiate I was surprised by him constantly reminding Jig that the decision was all hers, another clue that led me to my assumption.

Bernice Bobs Her Hair

Amanda Onalaja

February 17, 2010

AP English III – Pd. 2

Ms. Brown

“Bernice Bobs Her Hair” is a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The story was written in 1920 during the era of the infamous “Flapper movement”. Flappers were women of the 1920’s who revolutionized the modern woman. They were gutsy, frivolous, and characterized by short skirts and even shorter hairstyles. “Bernice Bobs Her Hair” is a witty snapshot of the trials of a young debutante and her transformation into a jazzy flapper.

The story line of “Bernice Bobs Her Hair” is blatant from the title; however, the conflict within the story shields the author’s motive. Written as a humorous guide to the author’s sister, this story is filled with sarcasm and the taboos of society. Take for example Marjorie Harvey, Bernice’s dynamic cousin, who was characterized as a “gardenia girl” for her extreme popularity. She constantly belittles her unusual cousin, referring to her as a “lame-duck visitor”. Even when readers believe she is truly good at heart for helping Bernice gain society’s approval, jealously rears its ugly head when Marjorie teases Bernice for just being a pawn in her game. Nevertheless, the vicious character that is Marjorie is too common; women like her exist in diluted forms. If not for her undermining Bernice, the rebellious actions of the story’s climax might never had erupted.

There is a hint of ethos in this story in regard to the very character a flapper must possess. In the 1920’s the bob was beginning to become a popular hairstyle, but the reaction to Bernice’s final decision was less than glorified. Hair was a woman’s virtue. When Bernice boasted on the idea of cutting her hair she was idolized, but when the deed was done she was ridiculed. I doubt she looked that bad, therefore I believe the author subtly added his own opinions on the topic of bobbing a woman’s hair. He obviously must have disapproved of it to let his character be mistreated so. Perhaps the author himself disapproved of the flapper movement entirely. It certainly seems to be the case, being as at the story’s ending was less than noble. Just as Bernice flees her relative’s home, she cuts off Marjorie’s hair in retaliation. Why does the author portray this act as a punishment? The short style was meant to uplift women as a catalyst for change; however the author uses this as a backlash for a rather disappointing endeavor. Not only that, but it screams inferences at the portrayal of women; catty and selfish creatures that act on whims and get caught up with petty drama. Nevertheless, if Fitzgerald’s aim was to write an entertaining piece then I believe he accomplished that, despite the story’s contradictions.

The Atlantic Exposition Address

Amanda Onalaja

January 12, 2010

AP English – III

Booker T. Washington, founder of the Tuskegee Institute, has always had, in my humble opinion, a creative way of wanting to establish the African American race. The opposite of W.E.B. DuBois’ “liberal approach”, Washington insisted on a vocational one, whereas give my race work and let us earn our keep; a view that has always earned my disapproval and criticism. However, in the chapter titled “The Atlantic Exposition Address”, from his autobiography, Up From Slavery, Washington illustrates the method behind the madness.

Ultimately at the Atlanta Exposition, Washington wanted to deliver a speech that would, “cement the friendship of the races and bring about hearty cooperation between them”. The reaction to his speech was better than he expected, but I couldn’t help but wonder why else they wouldn’t be. He preached that, “No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem. It is at the bottom of life we must begin and not at the top”, I agree that African Americans should not be ashamed to work, but it’s unconstitutional to have to work for our respect in a Nation that is equally our own. He follows with, “Nor should we permit our grievances to overshadow our opportunities”. In other words Washington believed that, we shouldn’t take a mile when we were barely offered an inch, but it is my argument that that inch and that mile should have been equally ours to claim. Washington harbored good intentions, but he chose the easy way out, and I believe anything worth struggling over, is work fighting for. After two centuries of tolling in soil and being degraded, I refuse to do the same thing over under slightly different conditions.

He was praised for wanting blacks to stay subordinates, “Just as soon as the South gets over the old feeling that it is being forced by "foreigners," or "aliens," to do something which it does not want to do, I believe that the change in the direction that I have indicated is going to begin”, until the whites allow them into civil society. He seemed to criticize DuBois’ theories by stating, “think, though, that the opportunity to freely exercise such political rights will not come in any large degree through outside or artificial forcing, but will be accorded to the Negro by the Southern white people themselves”, rebutting DuBois’ liberal education wants.

All in all I find it wrong to condemn Washington for his peaceful views. His ideal was the succession of the African American race regardless of what his methods were. He was probably right, even though some are too ignorant to take a glance at his perspective.

Of the Black Belt

Amanda Onalaja

January 11, 2010

AP English – Pd. 3

“Of the Black Belt”, is the seventh chapter of W.E.B. DuBois’ The Souls of Black Folk. The Black Belt is the southeastern region of the United States, extending from southwest Tennessee to east-central Mississippi and then east through Alabama to the border with Georgia. Known for its poverty and low education system, the Black Belt is an abundance of the Negro dilemma during the 20^th century. However, the area has negative effects for all races which inhabit it. The early 20th century brought a general economic collapse, among the many causes of which were agriculture depletion, the boll weevil invasion and subsequent collapse of the cotton economy, and the socially repressive Jim Crow laws. What had been one of the nation's wealthiest and most politically powerful regions became one of the poorest.

DuBois’ writing seems more to inform than to persuade. His use of rhetorical examination is clever. By filling chapters with tragic events such as those experienced by the residents of the Black Belt, he allows readers to draw upon their own conclusions, causing emotional turmoil. One can’t help but pity the poor man whose furniture was unlawfully repossessed at the chapters end. Cotton, one of the most old time successful crops no longer shared its abundance of fluffy softness, deepening cotton farmers in debt. DuBois recounts, “you may stand on a spot which is to-day the centre of the Negro problem,—the centre of those nine million men who are America’s dark heritage from slavery and the slave-trade”. True enough Georgia had a large population of African Americans.

Of Booker T. Washington & Progress

Amanda Onalaja

January 10, 2010

AP English III – Pd. 2

In the third chapter of The Souls of Black Folk, “Of Booker T. Washington and Others”, DuBois writes about the disadvantages on what may seem the opposite of his “liberal approach”. That is a vocational one; who better than Booker T. Washington to express this approach. I’ve always considered Booker T. Washington and DuBois as opposites. DuBois believed African Americans needed higher learning in order to make their way into a civil society, whereas Washington believed African Americans should seek economic leverage and then equality would come later. This very chapter discusses the “subtle” rejection DuBois feels for this approach.

The Tuskegee Institute to this day is a place where hose can learn a craft and perfect a skill. This approach is created with good intentions. Washington believed men and women should excel at their skill, which helped their movement as a people, however DuBois argues, “… nor Tuskegee could remain open a day were it not for teachers trained in Negro colleges or trained by their graduates”, ultimately stating education is the root to all success. It is the life water which can nourish the African American race if applied the proper way. Civic equality is what blacks needed, and being able to craft the sturdiest steel, won’t accomplish that. While complimenting Washington for his ideals, DuBois still politely discouraged them.

The fourth chapter titled, “Of the Meaning of Progress”, DuBois recounts his travels; meeting several families and persons along the hills of Tennessee. He illustrative each character from homely to rough, retelling the story of their demise or survival. The interesting thing, is that there is a moral to his madness, more than just a tale of strangers, inside lies the tale of progress. The children of those hills were eager to learn, but a string of mishaps, including the departure of their teacher Mr. DuBois, caught up with them along with life. “My log schoolhouse was gone. In its place stood Progress; and Progress, I understand, is necessarily ugly”. How can one progressive if a forward step are never taken, never even dreamed of being taken. Ambition is just a tool of progressivism.

Of Our Spiritual Strivings

Amanda Onalaja

December 9, 2010

AP English III – Pd. 2

The Souls of Black Folk is a collection of essays written by W.E.B. DuBois and other this influential persons. The first chapter, “Of Our Spiritual Strivings”, centers on DuBois coming to terms with our race’s role in America. A definite example of social realism, this chapter previews what many men and women of the African American brand had to search and sacrifice in times of slavery, how in many ways our liberation was truly not freedom, and how America would handle losing a resource it violated and humiliated.

DuBois makes a powerful statement when describing the “veil” he felt whites put up about him, “….no desire to tear down that veil… [I] lived above it in a region of blue sky and great wandering shadows”. He chose to overcome the limitations placed upon him by exceeding expectations, “that sky was bluest when I could beat all my mates at examination-time”. He compares his decisions to and actions to those of his peers, “their youth sunk into tasteless sycophancy or into silent hatred of the pale world about them and mocking distrust of everything white”. A positive versus negative approach is used, both in an attempt at pathos. DuBois’ felt knowledge is the greatest weapon against the mercy of their “superiors”; he believed a liberal education was the key to our race’s success. While others scorned the majority, he took academic action.

Being ashamed of who you are is highly discouraged, “He would not bleach his Negro soul in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows the Negro blood has a message for the world”, as stated by DuBois. How can one be African and American? “Two souls, two thoughts… two warring ideals in one dark body”. It was a battle amongst yourself, being a Negro slave. He goes on to illustrate how badly people wanted to bring these two different worlds together. Americans are always thought of as patriotic with fair skin, but why couldn’t Negro’s just be the ebony version? With the arrival of the emancipation came a bigger issue, suffrage. In order to uphold their freedom, Negro’s had to enter the government that corrupted them in the first place, lest suffer the chances of being enslaved again.. All in all, their freedom truly wasn’t freedom, “he felt his poverty; without a cent, without a home…” they were a handicapped people living with the little they had managed to secure.

The Minister's Black Veil

Amanda Onalaja

October 20, 2009

Pd. 2 – Ms. Brown

“The Minister’s Black Veil”, another short story written by Nathanial Hawthorne is an appeal to pathos. The narrative aims to stir emotions, especially those surrounding religion. The main character is Mr. Hooper, “a gentlemanly person, of about thirty, though still a bachelor, was dressed with due clerical neatness, as if a careful wife had starched his band, and brushed the weekly dust from his Sunday's garb”. Overall he’s depicted to readers as a well rounded preacher whom the congregation adored. He’s described as being good repetitively, “…good Parson Hooper… good Mr. Hooper… if good Mr. Hooper's face”, the story begins somewhat positively. Until readers are informed of the change in Mr. Hooper’s appearance, “There was but one thing remarkable in his appearance. Swathed about his forehead, and hanging down over his face, so low as to be shaken by his breath, Mr. Hooper had on a black veil”. The symbolic black veil is the focus of the entire story.

Coincidently, just as the congregation in the story, reader’s are not given too much information regarding the reason for the veil or the events that lead up to its obviously unexpected arrival, however immediately the church members become flustered and afraid, “Such was the effect of this simple piece of crape, that more than one woman of delicate nerves was forced to leave the meeting-house. Yet perhaps the pale-faced congregation was almost as fearful a sight to the minister, as his black veil to them”. The man the community once loved and praised has suddenly become suspicious of Mr. Hooper all at the sight and mystery of his veil. For example, at the funeral of a young woman, Mr. Hooper leans over in her casket but quickly retracts and grabs his veil as if afraid the corpse might see his face. This action was seen by a member and others begin conversing, “‘Why do you look back?’ said one in the procession to his partner. ‘I had a fancy,’ replied she, ‘that the minister and the maiden's spirit were walking hand in hand.’ ‘And so had I, at the same moment,’ said the other”.

Finally at the story’s end, when Mr. Hooper’s on his deathbed, readers get an understanding of the veil’s purpose, “Have men avoided me, and women shown no pity, and children screamed and fled, only for my black veil? What, but the mystery which it obscurely typifies, has made this piece of crape so awful? When the friend shows his inmost heart to his friend; the lover to his best beloved; when man does not vainly shrink from the eye of his Creator, loathsomely treasuring up the secret of his sin; then deem me a monster, for the symbol beneath which I have lived, and die! I look around me, and, lo! on every visage a Black Veil”. With his last breath, Hooper claims the black veil was like the sin of the world, which he felt he should take on, he also criticizes the people of his hypocritical community, for shunning him like a monster because they feared the unknown. However Hooper tried to prove his point, and suffered with the weight for years, one wonders why he continued to wear the veil in the afterlife.