Myriam Gurbas insight to her book mean and insightfulness on the books aspects and true meaning really stood out to me during this discussion session. I really enjoyed reading this book when we were in class. The book encapsulated an especially important topic about sexual assault and oppression. These topics are not easy to talk about, especially to people who you are not necessarily close to you. By authoring this book, Myriam Gurba invited us in on her life and trauma to learn from it, and this is a very unselfish act. Experiences like this might be things you keep to yourself or just close family members so the fact that she shared this story with the world feels welcoming and homey in a strange way. She spoke about how fractured the process was to author this book. I personally can only imagine how brave this woman can be to share her story with us and help us be aware of the terrors of the people in this world and their mindsets. I admire how she realizes her story is quite different from others and she connects her unique experience to her book by presenting it in an unusual way, which is humor. Myriam Gurba seems like a genuine person from what I got out of this video and to be so humble and brave to have the courage to publish these fragments which she did not initially intend to release is huge. This woman symbolizes a huge strength in the feminine community and for sexual assault survivors or victims. I love how she speaks of her connection to inviting people to become a part of the scenery of where this traumatic event happens because it directly correlates to the discussions we had in class about the opening of the book and her invitation for us to become deeply immersed in this story literally and figuratively. I can imagine that as she stated this experience will never get easier. It must be so much easier for her to write about these events than speak face to face with people about them. As someone who struggles with feelings, I do agree that writing things down and “journalling” is much easier than letting my feelings come out of mouth to another individual. Her analogy that trauma is not a mattress you can just throw out was funny and meaningful because it is so true. Some things in your life will stick with you and haunt you forever but you can learn and adapt ways to cope with it to make it easier, but they will never fade because the human mind is so complex and involved. Overall, I genuinely enjoy Myriam Gurba personality and morals and will investigate her other works!
Heart and Soul
My poem was taken from the book “Milk and Honey” which is a book composed of many different small poems. The poem was originally about the strength of the heart and i put a spin of my perspective on the strengths and functions of the heart.
My poem about the heart explores the complexity and depth of human emotions. It delves into the many facets of the heart, from its physical function as a vital organ to its metaphorical significance as the seat of the soul. The heart is strongest aspect of the human body both emotionally and physically. I tried to portray the heart as more than just an organ, as i see it it encapsulates the human existence as a whole. The heart functionally controls all the pumping and dispersion of blood to your lungs and other vital parts of your body. Likewise, your heart is the most complex organ in your body physically it is also complex with your emotions and feelings. Your heart can shatter physically and emotionally but in the end the stronger you are internally will allow you to overcome this set back and still live on wether that be a medical battle, mental battle or physical. The overall message of this poem is to not let things effect your mental have a strong heart mind and body.
I also included the picture of the heart to serve a lot of meaning. As seen in the picture the heart involves a lot of complexity and confusing organs. But if you spin your perspective on this picture you can see flowers growing out of roots into a beautiful structure. This picture is meant to leave an impact on the reader to interpret how if you change your mindset towards life that your outcome can be so much better than every before. However, if you look at it from the difficult way you could get frustrated and give up on even trying to grasp the concept. This is the idea of mentality and viewpoints. This has a lot to do with your mental health and how you view things. This is encouraging others to always see the positive in life.
Money: The root of all evil or the key to happiness?
In Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun there is a constant appearance and discussion of money. Throughout the duration of the play, we see a constant struggle for the Youngers centered around money. They never really had money to begin with, so they all admire money and yearn to be something successful, but everything circles back to finances. In many cases money brings hope and prosperity to their family and future but also causes the demise of people and relationships.
There are many positive and negative connotations attached to money throughout the story. One negative aspect is the relationship between Mama and Walter. With the check coming in Walter starts to go crazy. He cannot handle that he has no control over the money and what gets done with it. Not only does this show how money can make a person insane but it shows the struggle for masculine power. In the dialogue between Walter and Mama when speaking about the check Mama states “Son- how come you talk so much ‘bout money?” Walter replies, “Because it is life, Mama!” and Mama rebuttals “Oh- so now its life. Money is life. Once upon a time freedom used to be life-now it’s money. I guess the world really do change…” (Hansberry 74). This conversation, especially in the film, shows a lot about both characters. Walter at this point is completely consumed by the idea of money. He thinks it is the only way and has lost sight of his family, values, and morals. Mama is upset that her son has become so ignorant and cannot enjoy what he has which is freedom and a healthy family rather than chasing money. Their relationship begins to become uneasy because of the idea of money and the future.
Additionally, another aspect where money is seen as evil is when Mama presents Walter with the remaining check. Mama puts her trust and everything she has left into her son to give him confidence and sustainability. She gives up a piece of herself when she hands this check over to him and he completely overrides it. This shows how money can physically tear a relationship. He is so selfish and does not put aside the $3000 for Beneatha’s schooling like he is told and goes to open a liquor store which is exactly what his mother told him not to do. This all goes back to him having such an ego thinking he knows best and wanting to be the “man of the house.” These events all lead to the turmoil of Walters character. Hansberry states “(Turning madly, as though he is looking for Willy in that very room) Willy! Willy! Willy!…don’t do it …please don’t do it…Man, not with that money…Man, please, not with that money…Oh, God…Don’t let it be true… (he is wandering around, crying out for willy, and looking for him or perhaps help from God) Man… I trusted you…man, I put my life in your hands… (he starts to crumple down to the floor as Ruth just covers her face in horror. Mama opens the door and comes into the room, with Benetha behind her) Man… (He starts to pound the floor with his fists, sobbing wildly) THAT MONEY IS MADE OUT OF MY FATHERS FLESH-” (Hansberry 128). This scene speaks a lot of volume. All around we see Walter going insane over this money. He is speaking to people who are not present, punching things and throwing a fit like a child all because of money. This money is completely consuming his mind and actions and taking over his life. Also, this shows how he failed his father’s legacy and how he experienced self-pity from that as well because he was unable to provide better for his family. His masculinity, morals, mind, and relationships with his family were all ruined from the existence of this check.
Moreover, money in this play can also been seen as a savior and hope. The youngers never had anything much, so they always wanted better. The only way in that day in age to be something more seemed to be to have more money to afford a better lifestyle. In many cases when money was presented to them it gave so much hope. For example, when Walter gives Tarvis 50 cents and then an additional 50 cents to go to school with he is so excited and especially in the film we see him jump into his father’s arms. Also, money is seen as a savior when Mama decides to buy the house for the family, and she tells Ruth. She is so relieved when Mama tells them she was able to buy them a new home that she prances around screaming and crying tears of joy. Also, although the money did have a negative effect on Walter, the idea of the money and his intentions for it were pure. The thought of possession of money was an escape for him and a way out of the misery he had been stuck in.
A quote from the bible states “”For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (Timothy 6:10). This quote is a direct correlation of everything Mama stands for and the scene from which she slaps Beneatha for disregarding God and his ideals. Mama is deeply religious and just wants the best for her family. She watches every day as her children become so consumed and caught up in the idea of money when all she wants is for them to appreciate what they have and how far they have come. This quote directly correlates to this play and a message that money cannot be the be all end all. Overall, Money is a big part of the youngers fate and surfaces in many ways throughout the duration of the play.
Discussion Questions:
- Do you believe the benefits of the check outweigh the issues and problems that came along with it?
- What other characters represent a positive or negative effect from coming into money? How?
Works Cited
Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun. Vintage Books, 1994
Money is the root of all evil. EnglishClub.com. (n.d.).
Hi my name is Brianna Cinque
I am from Staten Island, New York. I play basketball for the Women’s basketball team here at Cortland. I really enjoy listening music and hanging out with my friends in my free time. One of my favorite foods is pasta and chicken cutlets. I like to read mostly fictional stories and enjoy going to the gym. Also, I am the oldest of three other siblings!
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