Flannery O' Conner

Flannery O’Conner
O’Conner really expresses her background and past throughout her short stories. I think we can all say that this is a very southern tradition that is emphasizing your personal history and relating it to lessons. It is obvious that O’Conner attracts readers to her short stories that involve southern settings, values, and backgrounds. I see strong southern traits in the three short stories I have read.
While reading “A Good Man is Hard to Find” it is clear to see that is it is written by a southern author. I first notice the southern setting, and then begin to recognize the characteristics of the grandmother. The kind of grandmother that goes on and on about the good old days and strongly expresses how you should be knowledgeable of your heritage and ancestors. Even the stop at Red Sammy’s reminds you of the southern hospitality. It’s the personal level that strangers reach within their first greeting, like how the grandmother and Red Sammy instantly begin to converse. They did not know each other, but as the owner Sammy greeted his customers and immediately connected.
Her religious back ground as a catholic somewhat spreads throughout her stories. Not so much Catholicism to be specific, but we see a lot of religion in her stories. In “Parker’s Back”, the character of Sarah Ruth is very religious and very committed to her beliefs. This character portrays strict views of religion. Even when Parker attempts to please Sarah Ruth with his religious tattoo, O’Conner’s personal traits are evident in her writing. We also see religion in “Revelation” when Mrs. Turnip, in my opinion, cries out to God about why someone would call her a wart hog from hell.
I believe all writers take personal experience and belief and incorporate it in their writing. What else would give them the best inspiration than their own actual background? It’s what makes the connection between the reader and the author, the reality of the story. Yes, sometimes when we read we desire to steer away from our own reality. However, in the end when we read something deeper than the fictional fantasy, we search for a connection. We strive to find a commonality with someone else in this world that enables us to understand each other better.
Word Count: 379

Never Thought I’d Wear Greek Letters

Let’s be completely honest, we all have our own opinions and stereotypes of those sorority girls and frat boys. I know I did before I became a member of a sorority. At first, I automatically thought that sorority girls were nothing but a bunch of attractive slutty spoiled brats that partied all the time. I remember before graduating high school, many girls would talk about how they were excited to rush in college. I just sat back and thought, “OK, you enjoy being hazed and humiliated to have a hundred so called sisters”. Greek life never interested me until I attended the U of M’s Frosh Camp Greek Session. It was here, that my opinion of Greek people did a complete 180. I learned that at the U of M, ninety percent of campus leadership positions were held by Greek people. Greeks had the highest G.P.A.’s. They contributed many hours to community service. The list can go on and on. When I decided to go Greek, I knew what sorority appealed to me the most. It wasn’t a hard decision at all. I feel in love with this particular one, because I was inspired by these women. It’s like they were everywhere on campus! I meet them as Orientation Guides, at Frosh Camp as counselors and a part of the executive board, members of Up ‘til Dawn, the president of S.G.A. and so much more! So these women excelled in leadership but it was more than that. There sisterhood was contagious! They were genuine and really cared for each other. I was so honored to become one of their sisters. I wanted to join a sorority that held the same values and beliefs as me. What was really special is that these girls made me feel so special and wanted. Back to stereotyping, going through recruitment was such a wonderful experience because I realized that my sorority really cared for me. They wanted me as a sister, not because of my resume, but because of who I am. I believe that my sorority serves as a personal development for me. I have learned so much from it and I have only been a member for a year. I’ve learned how to manage time better, lead in an effective way, develop organization skills, how to represent myself in a respectable manor, and I could go on and on. Most importantly, my sisters have taught me about the life I want to live and the ideals I want to attain as a woman of Alpha Gamma Delta.
Word Count:425

Fall!

The fall semester is always my favorite. You come back to school and it’s just like new! Seeing familiar faces again, recognizing change, and being introduced to new ideas! As a sophomore, I’ve come to enjoy the fall semester. Some of my favorite university traditions take place at this time. Football homecoming is one of them! Some of my favorite memories have taken place during it. Alpha Gamma Delta pairing up with a different fraternity and getting to know them more by creating the float, rehearsing for step show, or cheering on a the kick off or game! I also enjoy the cool change of weather. Although I am huge fan of warm weather, I always love to pull out my long sleeves and hoodie and head to class in the chilly morning. Or even heading to a corn maze or pumpkin patch! No matter how old I get, (and I’m 19) I still get a thrill out of carving a pumpkin! Halloween will always be a favorite holiday of mine. I love the spooky nature of it! Renting old scary movies and watching them while sipping hot cocoa just sets the scene for a perfect October evening. The fall is even the season for one of my favorite activities, which is baking. Anything to do with apple or pumpkin, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the recipe. Even if it’s not me baking it, I’ll order Starbuck’s pumpkin loaf bread or Einstein Brother’s pumpkin bagel with cream cheese…yummm! It’s the little things like that that make up the special season of fall for me! It’s the bright warm colors, the coziness of warmer clothes, the thrill of Halloween, the crisp air all around you, and the kickoff to the holiday season!
Word Count:295

Growing Up is Tough

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to be a “movie star”. Pretending is a favorite child hood memory of mine. I can honestly say I was a very imaginative kid. My parents claim that they never needed to go out of our home for entertainment because they had my brother and I. Yes, my brother was also very fond of acting. It was he who inspired to become involved with theatre in high school. I would always go to his plays that he performed in and was just taken away by the world of theatre. When I entered high school, I was so excited to begin my acting career. But I learned that acting was more than being on stage and being in the lime light of everyone. It was creating character far from your own, experimenting with new ideas, and learning the meaning of professionalism, the importance of unity with your peers, communication, and so much more. I learned that in the world of theatre, it’s more than just acting. I was lucky enough to have a teacher who taught about the equal balance of “actors” and “techies”. Also, that there is no such thing as a star or an extra. Every part is important. Everything on stage has a character and a meaning. Every move you make as a character has motivation behind it. All of these ideas and more make up the complete meaning of theatre. It was here, at Bolton High School, that I developed a passion for theatre. Now, when graduation drew nearer, I had a decision to make, whether to continue with theatre and make it my official career or to become a hospitality and resort management major. I choose the business route. It’s not that I gave up on theatre. I just wanted to keep it an enjoyment, rather than a way to pay the bills. Am I ignoring my passion by doing this? Have I done any theatre since high school? No. Other than claiming the role of an audience member, I have yet to return to theatre. It’s hard because I do miss it, but these are the decisions we have to make in our lives. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy what I study now. I just felt like it was time to be practical and not day dream about “making it” the rest of my life. It’s hard knowing what the right decision is. I hope I have made it and never regret it. If I were to go into theatre, I would love to be a high school theatre teacher. Therefore, I could share my passion with students, like my teacher once did for me. Right now I’m on the road to becoming a special events coordinator or something along those lines. I like my major because I’ve always been interested in the tourism industry. I know through time and prayer, God will show me what His plan for me is.

Up til Dawn

This year, I am honored to serve as a Moral Captain for our university's campus wide philanthropy Up 'til Dawn. Up 'til Dawn has one main purpose and tha is to raise the most money possible for the kids of St. Jude! It is so exciting because Up 'til Dawn reaches out to students and encourages them to contribute fundraising. This year, my eyes have really opened to the true meaning of Up 'til Dawn. Not only do we raise support kids financially, but we truly care for them. At the organization's kick off, I wittnessed the beauty of God's love for children. A five year old little girl named Ellen, a St. Jude patient, sang her beautiful heart out for a group of college students. Out of all the songs in the universe, she chose to sing "What a Wonderful World". After hearing her sing that, how could it not be? Here is a precious five year old who is sick, but is still on top of the world and singing about it too! Whenever I think I might have it hard, I just remind myself of little Ellen who has never experienced a normal life for a kid. If she can sing "What a Wonderful World" sick with cancer, then I can get through a "bad" day. :)

St. Car Named Desire

When I found out that the Hattilo Theatre was an African American theatre, I thought that it was very interesting that they were performing A Street Car Named Desire. When I think about A Street Car Named Desire, I automatically think of Marlo Brandon screaming from the top of his lungs, “Stella”. I have never really thought about African Americans portraying the characters of Blanche, Stella, and Stanley. From my personal experience, I have performed in plays where African Americans have played a role meant for Caucasians. In the past, it did not matter because it just showed the quality of the actors’ talent and performance. For the actors of the Hattillo Theatre, it was just the same.

Sitting in the cozy little theatre, I became a slightly nervous about how the play would go. The theatre was so small and this play has very serious issues. So, no matter how far back you sat, you felt like you were right in the middle of all the action. Every character was very believable with his portrayal of character. It was very impressive to Ekundayo Bandele transform into the character of Stanley. I remember him coming out and talking to the audience before the show had begun. I took notice of his voice and mannerisms and then saw him as Stanley, and everything was changed. He provided the perfect voice for the character of Stanley. Out of the three main characters, I thought Stanley was performed the best.

A Street Car Named Desire is such an intense play. When I sit and watch be performed or even read it, I become very nervous because of Stanley and Blanch. You never know when either of them are about to lose it or break down. Stanley’s anger fills a room and his voice sends shivers up your spine. As you watch Blanche, you become so concerned for her because you are so unsure of who she is and what she is hiding. Then you become to almost pity her because you realize she is so lost. This may be an outlet to an audience member. Some may find a connection to Blanche because they may be just as lost in the world as she is. Speaking of pity, we all can sympathize for Stella. Such a kind hearted and fragile character, we hate to see her live in this world. We hate to see her stay with Stanley just because she has his child.

This deep and emotional play takes us to a two room apartment in New Orleans. We are introduced to the lives of Stanley and Stella, and Stella’s sister Blanche. We are provided with many emotions throughout the play. The room is filled with our laughter because of Stanley’s sarcasm and Blanche’s crazy stories. We are frightened by Stanley’s anger and Stella’s well being. Also, the reality of who Blanche really is. We are sympathize for the lives of each of these hopeless characters.

Escaping from Reality

When reflecting upon Tennessee William’s play of “The Glass Menagerie”, we are introduced to a memory of a character. Tom’s memory shares a short period that he shared with his mother, Amanda, and his sister Laurie. The audience is taken from the present and is placed in the past. This past consists of an emotional environment. Many of the scenes, that the audience witness, leave them wondering whether they should laugh or cry. Tom’s narration guides his listeners through the present time of his memory and we then, share his experience with him. In his memory, it is learned that the past of other characters and how it has developed their present. Parts of their past and present beings draw them towards a desire to escape. However, no matter what their past may be, their present always reminds them of their responsibilities they hold.

The past represents a deep meaning for each character in the play. When Amanda, the mother of Lorie and Tom, is introduced; she is telling stories of her past that she clings to. They tell the audience the story of a loud and boisterous woman, who was once young and pretty with many gentlemen after her. Tom’s memory shows how Amanda ended up with Tom and Laurie’s father. It is in this beginning scene that the audience learns of how Amanda is still holding on to her past and that she dwells too much on her past. Like older women who have lost their attractive side or their appeal to men, Amanda misses her younger years. We can see that Amanda is always drawn to her younger days because she has fallen into a trap with her family. Abandoned by her husband, she relies on Tom to support the family. In a way, we can say that Amanda relies on Laurie for support as well. Amanda pursues Laurie to go out and meet men. Amanda uses her teenage past as a reference to show how she had many gentlemen callers. She encourages Laurie to go to business school, so that she may have a career. Amanda also ignores her own daughters crippled leg, which frustrates Laurie. This represents how she resents the reality she lives in. In all that Amanda does throughout the play, she reflects her past and her desire to escape from her life.

When comparing the awareness of responsibility to the play, Tom is brought to mind. In this time period, the man is thought of as the head of the house no matter what. With his father gone, Tom has had to step up and support his sister and mother. Day after day, he slaves in a warehouse and like his mother; he has strong desires to escape his present. Tom believes that there is more to life than just working from pay check to pay check. As he works and works, he finds that his only escape his drinking. Many nights he goes out and drinks to have his time from his responsibilities for his family. Tom boldly reflects the theme of escape for a better reality.

Through Lorie, we are presented with another character that is hungry for a new present and escape from her present reality. Even more specifically, Laurie is a hungry for a new everything. It seems that Laurie wants to abandon herself. She is very self conscious about the physical state of her body. She is the least of all characters who has an awareness of responsibility. Laurie has an awareness of her image. Although, she is a cripple, she is finally beginning to realize how she is able to live a normal life in her present. It is through the character of Jim that Laurie finally breaks out. Laurie has been caught up on a past experience with Jim. He had made a nickname for her and to Laurie; it was as if he had hung the moon. Only because he recognized her and treated her well, she had never removed him from her past. After him and Laurie spend time together, she is able to focus more on her present and let the past go.

The play is full of a comparison between the themes of escape, awareness of responsibilities, and reflections of the past. Each character displays his or her own representations of a theme that develops their own character. The memory of Tom provides us with an understanding of how the family has become what it is at the present.