A WHIRLWIND AFFAIR

“The Storm” 

Kate Chopin

   An affair to remember is definitely the phrase that comes to mind when reading Chopin’s works. Kate Chopin has been one of the authors that I have grown to respect, as she puts an emphasis on the maturation of a woman’s awareness of her own needs and desires. Being familiar with author’s works, I have perceived an idea of the story’s theme and plot. 

  The symbolism of the “storm” as it sweeps her former lover back to her arms once again and the artistic description of the passionate lovemaking is truly plausible. As the heavens cries and teardrops of rain falls to the ground can be likened to the drought of passion that has been moistened once again. The patters of the rain can also be likened to the knock in the heart of her former lover.

   Although, I don’t commend or advocate extramarital intimate relationships, for adultery itself is an unclean matter - filthy, but Kate Chopin’s “The Storm” is most definitely a good read and I would recommend this to a close friend who appreciates a good read. I would also recommend "The Awakening" and "The Story of an Hour."

INSIGHT INTO THE CATHEDRAL OF HEART AND MIND

“Cathedral” 

 Raymond Carver

  At first, I initially thought this was a religious short story. Since I am familiar with the Roman Empire and the Latin religious era, I had the impression of the story’s relation to Biblical times. On the other hand, the characters’ view on religion was somewhat distant. 

As I was reading the short story, I was making references to “Oedipus Rex” by Sophocles. The pleasure ensued as I was making the connection of sight versus insight, pertaining to theme. 

One may have eyes but it cannot see beyond the countenance of the other. In comparison to the blind that has insight to the emotions and feeling of others. As the story comes to a close, one can infer that one does not need eyes or the physical sight to see and connect emotionally with another human being. The eyes puts a face to the person, but the countenance is not all in regard to the individual. Like a book, once must not judge a person with their mere appearance for it is definitely deceiving. 

  Human beings have the tendency of being judgmental towards another due to their physical appearance or due to hearsay. Personally, I have been guilty of creating an biased opinion on someone based on their appearance or even through gossip. The fact that I can personally relate to the story is refreshing and makes one ponder on their own similar experiences. The determination to dig deeper than flesh and skin, instead to bond emotionally, the journey of getting to know someone, their good qualities, is definitely lighter in our hearts than the unnecessary grudge that we hold tightly in our hearts that the mind never forgets. 

On an ending note, the word “cathedral” comes from a Latin word “cathedra,” which means “seat.” The climax took place as the narrator and the blind man, named Robert, sat and drew a “cathedral” with the narrator’s eyes closed, which in turn opened his heart and mind to the insight of the things around him. 

The short story is definitely recommendable to peers and acquaintance. 

THE CONFESSION OF THE HEART

“Tell—Tale Heart”  

Edgar Allan Poe

  The title emits the impression that the “heart” symbolizes the telling of a tale throughout the short story. Being familiar with the author’s works, I have perceived an idea of the story’s theme. During my high school years, I had the honor of being a part of a play in one of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat.” There is numerous similarity on both works. Namely, the theme and plot-of which the  body was hidden behind the wall, in this story: the floor.

  In one’s heart lures a darkness that overpowers reason and conscience. Some works, the heart symbolizes life and love. The case of the “Tell-Tale Heart,” the beating heart symbolizes the beating conscience that “tells” on the perpetrator to confess the truth about his murderous acts. 

In addition, I have enjoyed immensely reading the story. The journey that the main character takes, the dark path that he has taken to achieve something that has long bothered his senses, but slowly eats away his conscience-it inadvertently or indirectly gives light to the demons in our heads. The monsters in our heads that leads one away from what is pure and right. 

  One part of our life, we may have named an antagonist in our own personal story. Someone that bothers and irritates us immensely. One may have thought, “I wish he/she would die. My life would be much happier.” If not all, some may have been guilty of murdering someone or something in our heads that would lead to the lifting of burden or stress in our own lives. 

  The emission of pain, stress and suffering may be on top of other’s list. Thus, we muffle the sounds of negativity and hate. But try as we may, thunderous sound of anguish and fear follows. Vices in ourselves and of others are inevitable in our imperfect lives.

Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tell-Tale Heart” is a masterpiece that breathes the darkness that constantly beats in our hearts. Indeed, I would definitely recommend this, along with "The Black Cat" and "The Raven," to peers and acquaintances. 

THE DISSECTION OF EMILY'S CADAVER

“A Rose for Emily” 

William Faulkner

Upon reading the title, I initially thought of a love story. A single rose usually symbolizes the desire that lay hidden within oneself. The soft, red petals that slowly opens as it blossoms. The thorns that could prick one if they are not careful. For couples, a dozen of roses could symbolize affection for one another. 

On the other hand, a rose could symbolize death. In a funeral, a rose or any other flower is laid on the casket, in an expression of their farewell to the once living friend or lover. 

  The puzzle of time has caught my attention. The style of which William Faulkner uses the telling of the story, starting with the main characters death and slowly dissecting the cadaver is simply breathtaking! Although, the narrator may not have known the underlying emotions that lays in the pit of Emily’s heart, I can definitely sense a character filled with loneliness and unbridle passion in desire in her actions. 

  The arsenic, the poison which killed her almost lover, Homer Barron was somewhat predictable. Emily was oppressed in a way that the things that she wanted are the things that she can never have. It is basically running after an invisible wind, hoping one day that you will catch it.

One can relate to the fact that living in a metropolitan area, the fashion and the way of living is basically dictated by society. In one aspect of our life, one may have acted upon the dictation of society. 

Hence, I will definitely recommend this to a peer or an acquaintance since it is relatable, not in the murderous state, but in a sense that we may have been oppressed by certain family member, the dictation of inquisitive society, or even the vices that whispers unhealthy criticisms in our perplexed mind. 

The Dissection of Emily's Cadaver

A Rose for Emily

by William Faulkner

Oppression - In a way of wanting something you can never have

Oppression is the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner. It can also be defined as an act or instance of oppressing, the state of being oppressed, and the feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by troubles, adverse conditions or people, and anxiety.

• Oppressed by SELF 

- trying to rid oneself of the vices that we may or may not be born with. Vices that becomes termites in our tortured soul. There is a fear in our hearts that feeds in our self-esteem. But without it, we are nothing. If not all, then most of us strive to be better, but instead, our imperfect state oppresses oneself into damaging thoughts and putting it into action. Then our conscience eats from our guilt, like a forceful hand that slaps us to wake from our dreams and wake up to the reality that one can’t always get what we want. 

• Oppressed by her FATHER 

- Her father wants the best man for her. A her superior, he is authoritative to the point that his strictness has caused damaging thoughts to her self-esteem as well, which results in Emily in being isolated from society

• Oppressed by SOCIETY 

  - to merely conform to society, to be normal and accepted is all that Emily ever wanted. The society thought it was helpful or just being plain nice by giving her too much attention. but in fact, looking into every aspect of her life, the society is indirectly targeting her self-esteem and magnifying her fears to conform to society. by saying “poor Emily,” it gives her the fear of not being a part of “everybody.” 

Due to all these oppressions, Emily’s thoughts of what is “normal” is distorted. This results to shying away from the naked eye of the people from her neighborhood. It takes more factors to drive someone mad, to drive them to distance themselves, and to isolate themselves from the judgmental eyes of society. To satisfy or meet the expectations of society while appease or indulge the needs and desires of oneself. 

• Emily wants the love of her father, but instead he drives her and all of the other men who would like to build a life with her- away. 

• Emily wants to be accepted by society.  Instead, society set rules to whom should be accepted and who to shun away from the community. There is a thin line being famous and infamous. 

• Emily very much liked to love and be loved by a man. However, the man she loves loved another man, which is basically out of her control. 

Emily’s madness, her insanity was driven by her oppressed state. Her necrophilia was caused by her desperation to bond with another human being, to be in union and have an emotional and physical connection with another. Emily’s father, her vices, and the society were authoritative and exercised their power in proving Emily to be beneath or inferior to their lot in life. Thus, she felt lonely and pushed to the corner of depression and antisocial, which metamorphosed into mental instability, her insanity. The mental pressure to conform to society, be the best daughter to her father, and ridding of vices in order to love and be loved by a man were factors of Emily’s madness.