I typically don’t care for older movies, but I freaking love this movie. I saw it back in high school and have loved it ever since. I really like the way Hitchcock has developed each of the characters. Without directly being told about the characters, we seem to know so much about them just by looking into their windows.
Jeffries is initially claiming to have no interest in Lisa; he tells Stella that he should call the whole thing off with Lisa explaining that she and him do not have similar interests and are not on the same level. Soon after, while watching Miss Lonelyhearts, Lisa is preparing them dinner and they are discussing each other’s day over drinks. Miss Lonelyhearts is also preparing dinner for two, all in fantasy of a gentleman caller. She seats and toasts an imaginative man, then coming back to reality by throwing her face into her hands to cry. Miss Lonelyhearts’ actions are somewhat a parallel of Jeffries feelings. While Jeffries is not imagining Lisa existence or interest, he is detached. At this point, he is no more interested in Lisa than Miss Lonelyhearts’ suitor is real.
Jeffries later compares Lisa to Miss Torso, saying that their apartments look similar. Though Jeffries has never seen Lisa’s apartment, he is alluding to the idea that suitors are constantly coming around and hanging out in hopes of a chance with her. Lisa doesn’t take kindly to this remark and stands up to Jeffries by saying that if it resembles her apartment, then Miss Torso is not in love with any of them! Though Jeffries sees Lisa as Miss Torso, she insists that she is nothing of the sort. She doesn’t get angry or bothered by what Jeffries says because she knows it is not true and she intends on proving it to him over time.
Also during dinner, Jeffries sees Mr and Mrs Thorwald, he brings her dinner and she is pessimistic toward his kindness. Jeffries notices that Mr Thorwald seems to have had enough with her negative nature as he quickly leaves the room and dials the phone to what is presumed to be a lover. Thorwald’s mood changes almost instantly after engaging in the conversation only to be interrupted by Mrs Thorwald. Mr and Mrs Thorwald’s relationship is what Jeffries is afraid to have, a loveless angry marriage. This night is the last that Jeffries sees Mrs Thorwald alive and the events of this night are also what bring Jeffries and Lisa closer.
After all the nagging from Stella and Lisa about Jeffries voyeurism, they both soon become just as intrigued as he. Lisa first tries to stand up to Jeffries allegations toward Throwald but all of her excuses are shot down with valid points by Jeffries. Stella takes longer to fall into the drama of the Thorwald’s but she too eventually gives in. Once Jeffries convinces Lisa that something terrible has happened, she becomes just as nosey as Jeffries and I would go as far to say that she was more so than he was. Lisa was more than willing to investigate by digging up the garden with Stella but takes it a step further to enter into Thorwald’s apartment. When she does this, we see the concern that Jeffries has for the situation and this is also where he gains more respect for her because she is willing to go so far to prove that he is right in his allegations. In the closing scenes, we also see that Miss Torso’s boyfriend comes home as well as Miss Lonelyhearts finding the piano players company. Everyone seems to be happy and content, which parallels Jeffries and Lisa’s relationship. We see that Jeffries accepts Lisa into his life and it looks as though she is trying to change her high class ways to blend better with his simplicity.
7.20.2009
7.06.2009
Glengarry Glen Ross
Let me first start by saying, “WOW!” I have worked in retail for 6 years and for a little over 2 years, I worked in commissioned sales. It was not high dollar real estate sales, like the book, but it was indeed competitive and shady. I could truly relate to Levene , but not because I was like him while working. In fact, I was the opposite of everything he represented. I did, however, work with a character just like him. She was just that, a character. Her career was sales and that is all she knows. I literally had a flashback while watching the movie on Wednesday of her talking to her clients (on the phone). She was/is so full of bullshit and shenanigans I could hardly stand to work with her. She would lie to customers and deceive them just to “make the sale.” Her motto was/is, “Don’t give them time to think about it. Put it in their hand and get them out of the door!”
Levene’s character was somewhat justifiable in his actions and ways of selling. I understand completely where he was coming from by trying to have sufficient funds to pay for his daughter’s ever growing hospital bills. Though his actions are shady, he is trying to look out for his own best interest as well as his daughters’. Additionally, I think that Levene’s daughter was placed by Mamet for the sympathy factor. Levene’s daughter makes his part of the story line a little more appealing and somewhat justifiable of his actions, even though they are wrong. Actually, the lady I worked with played the sympathy card often as a justification for her actions. She knew she was full of shit; additionally, she knew that we (her coworkers) all knew she was full of it too. The reason that she was always getting away with it (including “stealing” client cards, like Levene, as well as actual clients from us), was because she was “divorced, with medical bills and this was her only source of income.”
I feel that even though women aren’t directly represented in this play, the indirect representation is just as fitting. Lingk’s nagging wife who spoils the deal is similarly represented by the husbands who would tell their wives they spent too much money on face creams and makeup and ask/tell them to return it. It seems to me that in the past, men had the role of being the money handlers and in the 80’s is when it started to change. Women began to work more and handle more of the household responsibilities. I think Lingk’s wife is adequately represented for the time period. Mrs. Lingk seems to have a grasp on the changing times and is familiar with the process of reporting Roma’s shenanigans to the authorities. Most women in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s would not have known where to begin with that course of action, the “man” would handle it. Honestly, even though Mrs. Lingk’s character was not fully developed, I liked her. I liked that she was calling bullshit on Roma and sent her husband to cancel the deal.
Overall, I liked this play. The style was hard for me to read, but because it was so interesting I got through it.
Levene’s character was somewhat justifiable in his actions and ways of selling. I understand completely where he was coming from by trying to have sufficient funds to pay for his daughter’s ever growing hospital bills. Though his actions are shady, he is trying to look out for his own best interest as well as his daughters’. Additionally, I think that Levene’s daughter was placed by Mamet for the sympathy factor. Levene’s daughter makes his part of the story line a little more appealing and somewhat justifiable of his actions, even though they are wrong. Actually, the lady I worked with played the sympathy card often as a justification for her actions. She knew she was full of shit; additionally, she knew that we (her coworkers) all knew she was full of it too. The reason that she was always getting away with it (including “stealing” client cards, like Levene, as well as actual clients from us), was because she was “divorced, with medical bills and this was her only source of income.”
I feel that even though women aren’t directly represented in this play, the indirect representation is just as fitting. Lingk’s nagging wife who spoils the deal is similarly represented by the husbands who would tell their wives they spent too much money on face creams and makeup and ask/tell them to return it. It seems to me that in the past, men had the role of being the money handlers and in the 80’s is when it started to change. Women began to work more and handle more of the household responsibilities. I think Lingk’s wife is adequately represented for the time period. Mrs. Lingk seems to have a grasp on the changing times and is familiar with the process of reporting Roma’s shenanigans to the authorities. Most women in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s would not have known where to begin with that course of action, the “man” would handle it. Honestly, even though Mrs. Lingk’s character was not fully developed, I liked her. I liked that she was calling bullshit on Roma and sent her husband to cancel the deal.
Overall, I liked this play. The style was hard for me to read, but because it was so interesting I got through it.
6.29.2009
King Lear
Let me start by saying, I have never been much of a Shakespeare fan. I appreciate his work, don’t get me wrong, but I just don’t understand it. I think the wording is confusing and I don’t like the fact that there is always a violent death or two. King Lear wasn’t any different from my stereotype – but I have to admit, the story line wasn’t too bad.
Throughout the play King Lear, there is an absence of a female role model, including absence of a mother for each of the characters. I believe that Lear’s condescending ways are much the reason that he is not married (or remarried?). I also believe that this has had an effect on the daughters’ feelings toward Lear. Each of the daughters professes their love in the first scene and the one that seemed most sincere to me was Cordelia. Cordelia states: “I love your majesty / According to my bond;” which enrages Lear because he is expecting each of the daughters to compete for him. The eldest daughters tell Lear that they love him more than anything else in the world, Goneril stating:
Sir, I do love you more than words can wield the matter,
Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty,
Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare,
No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honor,
As much as child e'er loved or father found—
A love that makes breath poor and speech unable.
Beyond all manner of so much I love you.
Because of these words, Lear turns over a portion of his kingdom to her and then a portion to Regan. With this transfer, Lear gives the power to his daughters.
The Fool tells Lear that he has “madest thy daughters thy mothers. / For when thou gavest them the rod, and put'st / down thine own breeches.” With the exchange of power, the girls begin to treat Lear with the same respect, or lack thereof. Lear’s daughters take full advantage of this and begin to take away his authority by taking away his knights. Throughout the remainder of the play, the girls continue to treat Lear poorly. I, as a reader, initially felt bad for Lear’s daughters but soon came to see that it was Lear himself that I should be sympathizing for. The vindictive nature of Goneril and Regan throughout the play only infuriates Lear further. Not only do the girls not have a mother, but they are slowly losing their father because of it. I feel that Lear’s daughters do not know how to act toward him. They do not know how to respect him without feeling as if they have to obey him. It is only in the end that we see Lear’s maternal (paternal) instincts when he is mourning the death of Cordelia causing his own. Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia did not have a mother – but honestly, I did not feel that they had a father either.
Throughout the play King Lear, there is an absence of a female role model, including absence of a mother for each of the characters. I believe that Lear’s condescending ways are much the reason that he is not married (or remarried?). I also believe that this has had an effect on the daughters’ feelings toward Lear. Each of the daughters professes their love in the first scene and the one that seemed most sincere to me was Cordelia. Cordelia states: “I love your majesty / According to my bond;” which enrages Lear because he is expecting each of the daughters to compete for him. The eldest daughters tell Lear that they love him more than anything else in the world, Goneril stating:
Sir, I do love you more than words can wield the matter,
Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty,
Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare,
No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honor,
As much as child e'er loved or father found—
A love that makes breath poor and speech unable.
Beyond all manner of so much I love you.
Because of these words, Lear turns over a portion of his kingdom to her and then a portion to Regan. With this transfer, Lear gives the power to his daughters.
The Fool tells Lear that he has “madest thy daughters thy mothers. / For when thou gavest them the rod, and put'st / down thine own breeches.” With the exchange of power, the girls begin to treat Lear with the same respect, or lack thereof. Lear’s daughters take full advantage of this and begin to take away his authority by taking away his knights. Throughout the remainder of the play, the girls continue to treat Lear poorly. I, as a reader, initially felt bad for Lear’s daughters but soon came to see that it was Lear himself that I should be sympathizing for. The vindictive nature of Goneril and Regan throughout the play only infuriates Lear further. Not only do the girls not have a mother, but they are slowly losing their father because of it. I feel that Lear’s daughters do not know how to act toward him. They do not know how to respect him without feeling as if they have to obey him. It is only in the end that we see Lear’s maternal (paternal) instincts when he is mourning the death of Cordelia causing his own. Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia did not have a mother – but honestly, I did not feel that they had a father either.
6.15.2009
The Moviegoer
I must admit that The Moviegoer did not intrigue me at first. Binx’s mind is always moving. It seems as if he is always in deep thought about his surroundings and relating them to past experiences. I think this is why I had such a hard time following him and his thoughts at first. I wanted to take everything in a present tense, when actually he was zipping around in his memory as well. This seemed to settle down toward the middle of the book, or maybe I figured out how to follow him better. I will admit that the beginning of the book is a bit of a blur for me so my takings on his search mainly come from the latter half of the book.
It took me a good 180 pages or so to be able to relate to Binx. I didn't quite understand what his search was until I got a good ways into the book. I then realized that he is searching for meaning within himself and life. At one point, I think he figures it out, but then it seems as if he loses it – and yet again finds it. Binx reason is Kate. It’s as simple as that. Kate needs him and he needs Kate. They are there for each other when needed, him for Kate more so.
Binx goes through multiple women to find satisfaction. Each time, he is only left disappointed. His "constant" is Kate. I think that we all have that person in our life, always the opposite sex, may or may not marry this person, but never-the-less they're there. I first realize Binx’s attraction and desire for Kate on page 116 when he begins to tell her about the service station and that she “could come sit with [him] at night” and that they can live there at Mrs. Schexnaydre’s assuring her that “everything would be all right.” It is clear she needs him for reassurance, I could always see that – but here is also where I see that he needs her to need him. Maybe I am naive by initially assuming the relationship was a platonic brother/sister type?
In this time, while trying to figure out what he wants/needs out of life, he consumes himself in work and work “relations.” At this point in his life, Binx states that he is interested in “money and love.” He himself admits that he always ends up dating the ladies that work for him. The one that is talked about in detail, Sharon, is the one that apparently takes the longest to initiate. He goes for weeks desiring her and she pays him no mind. When he does finally spend time with her, he is satisfied, but not so much to keep her around. I think this also is an example of him trying to fulfill himself with other things, as if he is in denial about Kate.
Binx doesn’t seem to mind that she needs him to tell her what to do and when to do it, in fact, I think he likes it. The last page of the book details Kate’s trip downtown, at his request. I feel this is symbolic of the relationship they have and it shows the satisfaction he gets from her needing him. Once Binx figures all this out, Kate that is, he seems to settle down. His mind seems to be clearer and he seems to be genuinely satisfied with life at this point.
It took me a good 180 pages or so to be able to relate to Binx. I didn't quite understand what his search was until I got a good ways into the book. I then realized that he is searching for meaning within himself and life. At one point, I think he figures it out, but then it seems as if he loses it – and yet again finds it. Binx reason is Kate. It’s as simple as that. Kate needs him and he needs Kate. They are there for each other when needed, him for Kate more so.
Binx goes through multiple women to find satisfaction. Each time, he is only left disappointed. His "constant" is Kate. I think that we all have that person in our life, always the opposite sex, may or may not marry this person, but never-the-less they're there. I first realize Binx’s attraction and desire for Kate on page 116 when he begins to tell her about the service station and that she “could come sit with [him] at night” and that they can live there at Mrs. Schexnaydre’s assuring her that “everything would be all right.” It is clear she needs him for reassurance, I could always see that – but here is also where I see that he needs her to need him. Maybe I am naive by initially assuming the relationship was a platonic brother/sister type?
In this time, while trying to figure out what he wants/needs out of life, he consumes himself in work and work “relations.” At this point in his life, Binx states that he is interested in “money and love.” He himself admits that he always ends up dating the ladies that work for him. The one that is talked about in detail, Sharon, is the one that apparently takes the longest to initiate. He goes for weeks desiring her and she pays him no mind. When he does finally spend time with her, he is satisfied, but not so much to keep her around. I think this also is an example of him trying to fulfill himself with other things, as if he is in denial about Kate.
Binx doesn’t seem to mind that she needs him to tell her what to do and when to do it, in fact, I think he likes it. The last page of the book details Kate’s trip downtown, at his request. I feel this is symbolic of the relationship they have and it shows the satisfaction he gets from her needing him. Once Binx figures all this out, Kate that is, he seems to settle down. His mind seems to be clearer and he seems to be genuinely satisfied with life at this point.
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