IB Junior English Journal Response #14

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (Commentary)

Passage:

“The enormous room on the ground floor faced towards the north.  Cold for all the summer beyond the panes, for all the tropical heat of the room itself, a harsh thin light glared through the windows, hungrily seeking some draped lay figure, some pallid shape of academic goose-flesh, but fining only the glass and nickel and bleakly shining porcelain of a laboratory.  Wintriness responded to wintriness.  The overalls of the workers were white, their hand gloved with a pale corpse-coloured rubber.  The light was frozen, dead, a ghost.  Only from the yellow barrels of the microscopes did it borrow a certain rich and living substance, lying along the polished tubes like butter, streak after luscious streak in long recession down the work tables” (3).

Commentary:

Descriptive language is very prominent throughout the passage.  Aldous Huxley uses these details in order to create the effect of a dull atmosphere using personification of certain items in this introductory scene.  The passage transitions from a still frame to a window in which some of the action could be viewed and uses several metaphors in order to emphasize the observations that the author wants the reader to recognize.  Later, one can see that the scene seems to focus in on a certain set of objects as the passage nears the end which is shown by motifs.

In the first three sentences of the passage the author creates repetitive sense of stillness and staleness in order to imply a formal but typical setting.  The narrator starts to focus in on a certain aspect of the environment by showing, “a harsh thin light glared through the windows, hungrily seeking some draped lay figure, some pallid shape of academic goose-flesh” (line 2-3).  This suggests that there is gravity behind the work of the “pallid shape” due to the fact that the light was mentioned as “harsh”.  The personification of the light also shows the passing of time and the natural ambience of the sunlight enters the laboratory which emphasizes the importance of the work.

The change of pace in this passage to a certain subject foreshadows the focus on a certain topic and the characters that correspond.  The laboratory is further explained when the narrator describes, “The light was frozen, dead, a ghost.  Only from the yellow barrels of the microscopes did it borrow a certain rich and living substance” (line 6-7).  This gives the reader the sense that the focus of the work is on the science of living things, because of how the author describes the “light” as being “lively” when it strikes the “microscopes”.  The metaphor of the “light” being a “ghost” implies that the ambient nature of things is disregarded in place for technological interests.

From the last quote one can also see that the passage had begun to place more focus on a particular scientific instrument.  The narrator then focuses out a small amount in order to show the impressive power of research saying that the “microscopes” were “lying along the polished tubes like butter, streak after luscious streak in long recession down the work tables” (line 7-8).  One can analyze that the purpose of this laboratory is for the discovery of new ideas based on the amount of equipment mentioned.  The motif of science is becoming clearer which suggests that the main purpose of this laboratory can be assumed to be for the creation of new theories or specimens. 

Huxley uses personification, metaphors, and motifs in order to convey the theme that minds that are devoted to a common cause are devoid of any interest to any other natural occurrences in their surroundings.  This is used throughout the passage in order to imply that a purpose can be beneficial but also disadvantageous in some aspects.  These elements are blended to show the narrators unconscious thoughts of a scene in the novel.

10/24/11 Comments to:

Zach’s Blog - You have a clear analysis on the tone of the passage.  Why do you think that the author created this type of tone? This was an interesting aspect of the story.

Haley’s Blog - There are interesting observations you have made as to how light and dark affect the appearance and meaning of certain objects.   Is there a purpose that is unfolding here, possibly?

MacKenzie’s Blog - The analysis on why the light is described in a certain way caught my attention.  I agree, the author is trying to imply a certain tone through the use of description.  Is there something that can be foreshadowed from this?  Is there a certain message the author is trying to evoke in order to prepare us for the events that occur later in the novel?

IB Junior English Journal Response #13

“Found” Poem for The Stranger:

He looked flustered - looking all over the place

Peering into the darkness of the entryway

Back and forth - I heard him pacing

They’ll take him away

He started searching the street again

All of a sudden the words came pouring out

I thought of Maman - for some reason

His life had changed now

With a furtive hand - the old man

For the first time

Offered a smile

I always thought it was mine

(Characterizing Salamano)

IB Junior English Journal Response #12

In part one of The Stranger the author focuses on using the repeated effect of tiredness and acceptance which suggests that Meursault is not open to society.  His view is limited to those he is in direct contact with or from what he observes.  All of the different functions of society had not come to his awareness earlier in the novel.  Camus also utilizes words that relate to the idea of Meursault finding a new perspective on different events.  However, this does not change his general attitude or lack of strong emotion to things of importance.  For instance, Meursault did not realize until later that, “some people in the neighborhood thought badly of me for having sent Maman to the home” (45) which gives us the sense that he relies on his own opinions more than society’s standards.  The structure of part one is more spread out in order to introduce the major characters that will affect the protagonist’s life in more detail so we could understand why these characters interact in a certain way on part two of the novel. 

In part two of the novel, Meursault begins to describe more of his surroundings due to the lack of contact with society for quite a while.  One of the common images he evokes is of how the prosecutor analyzes an aspect of the events leading to the murder in regular intervals throughout the trial.  At this point, the author’s word choice becomes more descriptive in some parts and ambiguous in others in order to emphasize Meursault’s main interests relating to the recollection of the murder.  His thought processes indicate that he is observing with full awareness of his inner feelings.

In part two, some of the characters that were mentioned with less frequency in part one were described in part two due to the fact that the trial had required most of the characters who were in Meursault’s presence to attend.  Each witness each gave their own views on the issue revealing the different shades of the protagonist’s actions.  For instance, Thomas Perez who was only described through his expressions about the death of Maman, spoke with a complete and unbiased tone when asked about Meursault’s reaction.  This shows a few more traits not known in part one (clarity, indifference, and innocence).  Celeste is also described in greater detail through the way he clothes evoking short flashbacks in Meursault’s memory which gives the sense of locality despite the official tone of the situation.  Later in the trial, Celeste is asked about his view on the murder to which he replies that it was “bad luck”.  Although this is not a sufficient argument, it shows that a few people in society had a bit of attachment to Meursault through mutual expressions.  They are willing to support a man who committed an act which is taken very seriously by the court.

Meursault describes most of the court scenes as taking place in the morning or late in the afternoon where the air was “already stifling”.  The courtroom is where Meursault is given a final chance to see society in action.  He views everyone as “a club where people are glad to find themselves among others from the same world” (84) which suggests that he has interest in human relations in a community where he is under judgment.  He seems receive the impression that the courtroom is a place of clarification that has to conform to society’s standards.  If the views on a certain topic do not match with the expectations, then it is excluded from the examination.    

The motifs of the setting are changed at the time when the final judgment was to be made of Meursault’s fate after being claimed guilty without any doubt.  Most of the motifs of hope and possible struggle for freedom are dashed when the judge offers the ultimate sentence; the death penalty (through beheading in a public square).  The common motif that strikes the reader is a sense of confirmation and emptiness.  The enormity of the sentence forces Meursault to give regards to this situation.

IB Junior English Journal Response #11

Group Activity (Topic 4):

The characters in the home of the aged have a passive attitude towards others.  This expressed through their dialogue to Meursault, as in one scene where the director mentions, “you don’t have to justify yourself…she needed someone to look after her…she was happier there.” (4).  The director does not go into detail regarding Maman’s lifestyle and her overall experience, but instead gives a vague outlook on her relations with others and her ability to cope with this older community which suggests that the author is attempting to set a comforting tone that gives us the sense that everything is in control.  Meursault seems to be set apart from caring or even dwelling deep in family matters.  It is more like skimming the surface of history with his recollections.  The fact that, “when she was at home with me, Maman used to spend her time following me with her eyes, not saying a thing” (5) which gives the impression that Meursault had to be watched in order to ensure that he conformed with society or not to do anything to an extreme extent (e.g. the killing of the “Arab”).

From what Meursault initially observes in the courtroom before his trial, people are generally in a positive mood and in a lively setting.  He describes it as, “if they were in a club where people are glad to find themselves among others from the same world” (84) which shows that the fact that Meursault thinks about these things reveal his desire to fit in with society as if he is “one of a family” (70).  Also, a brief connection with the title and protagonist is made when Meursault has “the strange impression I had of being odd man out, a kind of intruder…yet the reporter turned and spoke to me with a smile.” (84)  giving us the sense that through a business setting is he accepted as one with the community. 

Through this Camus seems to develop two themes:

1. Stagnant family ties can be broken through time, lack of finance, and less relations.  This can especially occur when one side is more observative/passive and the other, indifferent.

2. If one of the basic human desires, to fit in with society, is not fulfilled, then an awkward sense is evoked and therefore characterizes a stranger (to the community). 

IB Junior English Journal Response #10

Cultural Journal:

The influence of language and treatment towards others in society has been changed through the French occupation of Algeria.  When Raymond meets someone new or in close relation to a friend of his, he uses a social title before mentioning the person’s name, “mademoiselle” or “monsieur”.  As Meursault starts to learn about Raymond’s personal life even more, he begins to be considered a “pal” and therefore, gives Raymond the impression that social titles do not need to exist between them.

Connections of the Title to the Novel:

The current title for the English (American) version of the book gives several connotations that affect how we view the protagonist.  The first of which being a person who is not outspoken in society or has no outside connections other than his own community.  When Meursault refuses his boss’s offer to work in a new office that was planned to open in Paris, he replies that, “I never gave him a straight answer, that I had no ambition” (41).  This can suggest that the character is just barely conforming to what people expect out of his social class.  In the novel, he seems to be working for a low wage occupation and does not give any particular interest to style or stereotypes of society.  In a sense, he also seems to be free of some of the restrictions of how a person should act if he was higher in social class.  Another connotation that can be drawn from this is, how the main character is conservative in his decisions.  The protagonist often expresses his feelings through his thoughts and less through communication with other people.  For instance, the author does not choose to make Meursault say, “for some reason I thought of Maman” (39). while in the conversation with Salmano in order to sympathize, but with this non-interest of his, he thinks of most feelings as insignificant thoughts to be disregarded.  This causes other people to look upon him as indifferent to many important events that he encounters.  One other view of the title can be from a literal and/or connotative perspective.  The Title itself could mean The Stranger or that the actions and thoughts that he expresses are getting stranger (more dulled/extreme) as time progresses which prior to the climax.  This suggests that the protagonist may be starting to begin an obvious separation from the expectations of society as a whole.

IB Junior English Journal Response #9

Cultural Journal:

The relaxed work setting in France is repeated in the starting passage of chapter three when the boss “asked me if I wasn’t too tired” (25).  This occurred right after Meursault mentions his fatigue on work.  The reader and infer that part of the ethic of work is to have concern over the well-being of other people. 

Another observation was that Meursault’s tendency to agree with Raymond is probably caused partially by his indifference to many aspects of life.  In addition to this, Freud’s theory can also apply because through part of chapter 3 we see that Meursault seems to accept everything, but be emotionally attached to no decision.

Salmano:

This character is characterized by the way he treats his dog.  The novel then includes detail on how the dog-man relationship is working, through an example that, “the old man pulls the dog  again…Once the dog has forgotten, it starts dragging the master along” (27) which does not match the common stereotype that a dog is man’s best friend.  Also, the harsh cruelty that is placed upon the dog by Salmano gives us an idea into part of his personality.

Raymond:

This character puts a lot of thought into past actions that have caused worry or pain to him.  He is characterized by his short temperament which causes some unpleasant situations to occur with the bystanding characters in the story.  His somewhat detailed accounts of how he relates to people that are close to him suggests that he has some of his strongest emotional attachments occur when he begins to recall situations.

Adria Comment:

You have an interesting insight into how these minor characters are characterized. Are there any other connections these characters can have with the novel?

Arianna Comment:

There are some detailed connections to personality traits of minor characters.  Are there any other connections these characters can have with the main events of the novel?

IB Junior English Journal Response #8

Cultural Journal:

The author gives us a general insight as to the working conditions that Meursault experienced.  As he asks his “boss for two days off”, “there was no way he was going to refuse me with an excuse like that.” (3).  There is a mutual understanding that develops between him and his boss, because of the culture that work is not meant to stress employees.  The application of this technique in the business world increases productivity due to the increased focus and drive to work. 

Part of the idea of socialism is highlighted in on the passages through the tone it expresses.  Meursault himself pays less attention to the businesses and of the people who visit.  Here the concept of supply and demand is shown through “the waiter…sweeping up the sawdust in the deserted restaurant inside” (22).  This suggests that the surrounding businesses are not competing for capital but rather meeting customers’ needs.

Chapters 1-2 of The Stranger by Albert Camus:

One the most prominent features of Meursault is his natural tendency to be indifferent to things, especially ones that are of major importance.  At the beginning of the novel, he regards the news of his mother’s death mentioning that it “doesn’t meaning anything. Maybe it was yesterday.” (3) giving us the idea that he has an ambiguous relationship with one of his parents.  He breaks the cultural belief of being close to ones’ parents.  Marie foils this relationship when she leaves Meursault due to the fact that “she had to go to her aunt’s” (21) which shows that for her, it does not take a sorrowful event to happen to her parents in order to visit.  This characteristic of Meursault gives him an awkward placement in society at times.  This is further emphasized towards his feelings towards time as it occurred to him that “anyway one more Sunday was over, that Maman was buried by now, that I was going back to work, and that, really, nothing had changed” (24) giving us the sense that time is just an occurrence to be ignored and that no strong feelings are associated with anything.  In that sense, nothing is of great value to Meursault except the fact that he has to return to work again to earn a living.

Tiredness is set as a motif in almost every major thought process or action Meursault makes giving us the impression that he is simply bored with life.  On his trip to his mother’s residence, he does not enjoy the sights and sounds of his country nor does he communicate with any of the other bystander characters on the bus, but instead focuses on what would be considered to be the unimportant aspects of the trip saying “It was probably because of all the rushing around, and on top of that the bumpy ride, the smell of gasoline, and the glare of the sky and the road, that I dozed off.  I slept almost the whole way” (4) which suggests that his character is not the type that is fast moving and active.  One of the most interesting ways this motif affects others was during the vigil “I remember opening my eyes at one point and seeing that all the old people were slumped over asleep…” (11).  This is probably the only time where he seems to reasonably fit in with the other characters in his society which shows that pure coincidence can allow this motif to relate with most people.  This stream to tiredness keeps circulating in Meursault’s life as shown in his logic, “I had a hard time getting up, because I was tired from the day before” (19).  If this situation is viewed from a daily perspective, this reason can be used again and again making him always tired, and therefore proves Freud’s Theory of the Unconscious.  Meursault’s unconscious mind has this set motif, aiding the emphasis of one of his most prominent personality traits of indifference.