September 25, 2008
Jim Schulz
If it wasn't for our class discussion, I don't think I would have ever connected stereotypes to the movie Indiana Jones - Temple of Doom. When I watch a movie I tend to watch it without looking for things like stereotypes, racism, etc., I just watch it for enjoyment. After our discussion, finding stereotypes in the movie seemed quite easy. Characters such as Shorty, who is Asian, knows marshal arts, the villains are Asian, while the Prince is decked out in a bright flashy costume. I guess I never really tied any of these thoughts to a culture. Yet, now that they have been brought to my attention I realize these are indeed stereotypes of the various cultures. The class discussions are definitely having an impact on the way I view a movie. It's starting to make me stop and examine things in a whole new perspective.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Sheep
September 18, 2008
Jim Schulz
Although I'm down to the last thirty or so pages of Marakami's "A Wild Sheep Chase" I'm still not quite sure what direction this story is taking. There are times when I come to conclusions, only to change my mind later. Example being the Sheep Man, I felt this could be Rat but after further reading on a description of Rat, I don't think so. The class discussion questioned whether Baku could be dead. Our group discussion on sheep also helped to open some new thoughts regarding where Marakami is heading with the story. Are the sheep controlling everything? Are sheep entering the body to take control? Is fascism present? I'm still not sure exactly what to expect and I'm hoping that the final pages will bring an interesting end.
Jim Schulz
Although I'm down to the last thirty or so pages of Marakami's "A Wild Sheep Chase" I'm still not quite sure what direction this story is taking. There are times when I come to conclusions, only to change my mind later. Example being the Sheep Man, I felt this could be Rat but after further reading on a description of Rat, I don't think so. The class discussion questioned whether Baku could be dead. Our group discussion on sheep also helped to open some new thoughts regarding where Marakami is heading with the story. Are the sheep controlling everything? Are sheep entering the body to take control? Is fascism present? I'm still not sure exactly what to expect and I'm hoping that the final pages will bring an interesting end.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Normality and Abnormality
September 11, 2008
Jim Schulz
When it comes to detective stories I never put two and two together and realized just how much abnormality - surrealism or "dream logic" plays into these fictional stories. I've watched many detective stories in my time and it seems that this is just the way it is. Evaluating the characters in "A Wild Sheep Chase" it is very obvious that the characters are more abnormal than normal. Of course this makes the story interesting and without it, I would imagine the story would become boring very quickly. Take the limo driver for example, the only normal thing about him is that he is a limo driver. Abnormal traits include the fact that he seems to talk to much, he knows pi to thirty-two places, and he talks to God by phone. This doesn't seem too normal to me. Looking at other detective stories like "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" one has to admit there is very little normality in it, especially mixing real life with cartoon characters.
Jim Schulz
When it comes to detective stories I never put two and two together and realized just how much abnormality - surrealism or "dream logic" plays into these fictional stories. I've watched many detective stories in my time and it seems that this is just the way it is. Evaluating the characters in "A Wild Sheep Chase" it is very obvious that the characters are more abnormal than normal. Of course this makes the story interesting and without it, I would imagine the story would become boring very quickly. Take the limo driver for example, the only normal thing about him is that he is a limo driver. Abnormal traits include the fact that he seems to talk to much, he knows pi to thirty-two places, and he talks to God by phone. This doesn't seem too normal to me. Looking at other detective stories like "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" one has to admit there is very little normality in it, especially mixing real life with cartoon characters.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Rushdie and "The Wizard of Oz"
September 4, 2008
Jim Schulz
I would never have related Salman Rushdie's novel "Haroun and the Sea of Stories" with the "Wizard of Oz" if it wasn't brought to my attention in class. But, the more I read, the more I could see simularities. Did Rushdie really use "The Wizard of Oz" to shape the meaning of his novel? I'm not sure about that and as much as I would like to yes, I'm somewhat on the fence. Both stories do indeed look at obtaining something and the characters go through mysterious places to find what they are looking for. I would say that Rushdie definately used another text to shape his novel but I would be more inclined to say he shaped it off something newer like "Star Wars." I say this because "Star Wars" also presents the reader with mysterious places and things. I'm sure Rushdie wanted his readers, especially younger readers to relate to something they know.
Jim Schulz
I would never have related Salman Rushdie's novel "Haroun and the Sea of Stories" with the "Wizard of Oz" if it wasn't brought to my attention in class. But, the more I read, the more I could see simularities. Did Rushdie really use "The Wizard of Oz" to shape the meaning of his novel? I'm not sure about that and as much as I would like to yes, I'm somewhat on the fence. Both stories do indeed look at obtaining something and the characters go through mysterious places to find what they are looking for. I would say that Rushdie definately used another text to shape his novel but I would be more inclined to say he shaped it off something newer like "Star Wars." I say this because "Star Wars" also presents the reader with mysterious places and things. I'm sure Rushdie wanted his readers, especially younger readers to relate to something they know.
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