1. For each story, identify the protagonist, antagonist, and conflict.
2. How are these stories similar? Different?
Joyce Carol Oates “Where are you going, Where have you been?” SAW p. 988
Franz Kafka “The Metamorphosis” SAW p. 719
Kurt Vonnegut “Harrison Bergeron” SAW p. 1328
Comments are due by 2pm Thursday 2/10.
Clint Giwer
ReplyDeleteKurt Vonnegut was born in the same place I was. And he worked in public relations for General Electric, a job similar to what I am looking to do, we are alike, he and I. I loved his story it reminded me of 1984. An obvious wrongness with society that no one can seem to understand because they think they live better with these rules. I found myself agreeing with this stories message, the whole idea that the absence of rules will bring chaos s just nonsense. Handicapping everyone so that we are all equal is impossible to do especially with something like intelligence. The protagonist in this story is clearly Harrison Bergeron, the seven-foot-tall 14-year-old. He saw the obvious flaw in society, tried to change it and failed, which is what generated the conflict in this story. The antagonist is the Handicapper General, or the system of handicapping itself, which strips people of their freedoms.
In Kafka’s The Metamorphosis the protagonist is the main character, Gregor Samsa. The antagonist is his family for not being more empathetic to his situation and his father was the biggest antagonist, he was actually happy when his son passed away. Conflict can be found everywhere in this story the families rejection of Gregor, the violence of the lodgers toward him etc. Most of the conflict stems from Gregor’s miraculous transformation but conflict also arises from family troubles that existed before this happened since they all relied on Gregor for financial support.
The protagonist in Oate’s Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been was Connie and the antagonist was Arnold Friend. The conflict arose in his constant attempts to persuade her to go on a ride with him and his friend. These three stories don’t have a lot in common. All three protagonist had problems with their family that they were unable to reconcile. Oate’s story was the only one in which the protagonist didn’t die. It is also the only story without a supernatural element, unless Arnold’s ability to know everything about Connie counts. Oate’s story seems to be the odd one out the other two stories have a lot more in common. The one common theme is that the protagonist has some conflictions with his or her family and a terrible event occurs.
This is Cal Garbe
ReplyDeleteOr Lameoid Penguin according to Tony Kornheiser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAPWj6bTpfU
Anyways,
In Joyce Carol Oates’ story, “Where are you going, Where have you been?” the main protagonist is Connie. She is a young teenage girl that butts heads with her mother and likes to go out on flirt with boys. On one of her adventures she comes across Arnold Friend who shows up at her house later. Arnold is out antagonist. He begins sincere at smooth at first but then he starts to become weird, old and a bit aggressive. The conflict comes through the standoff at the house between Arnold and Connie. Oates makes the situation very tense, even though there is no direct threat yet, it feels very ominous that something is going to go wrong. That was my favorite part about this story. The tension is palpable right from the get go.
Harrison Bergeron:
In Kurt Vonnegut’s story, “Harrison Bergeron” we are exposed to a very dystopian society similar to that of 1984 (my favorite book.) People are handicapped and cannot show any sign of being better than anyone else. Out protagonist shows up halfway through the story in Harrison. He breaks free from jail and his handicaps are ripped off as he tries to dance and show his better status. He is quickly struck down by the Handicap General. The Handicap General can be seen as an antagonist but so can the system and handicaps themselves as they are the ones that debilitate our main characters and Harrison’s parents. It paints a very dark picture of future life, but it is so captivating.
Kafka’s “Metamorphosis” starts out with one of the most interesting sentences that have ever begun a story. Gregor Samsa woke up to find himself changed into a monstrous vermin. Gregor is our protagonist as we feel his pain in the way the story progresses and Kafka describes the situation. The antagonist can be the family that is eventually disgraced by him or the metamorphosis itself that has caused this turmoil in the family. When the weight of Gregor is lifted as he dies, the family is finally happy and the reader is left a bit sad.
The stories are similar in the way the fates ended for each protagonist. There is a burden and tension with each story. Connie eventually succumbs to Arnold and her fate was left in the balance. Harrison is killed and before his parents can feel sad they forget it even happened. And Gregor dies and his family is happy with the burden finally being gone.
The difference is the setting and character development we had for each. We learn a few things about Connie but it is nothing compared to the story development we get for Gregor, yet we know nothing about Harrison and have to watch what happens to him via the TV.
“Harrison Bergeron” Kurt Vonnegut Jr:
ReplyDeleteAs a side note, Vonnegut is one of my favorite writers. I just had to get that off my chest. In Harrison Bergeron, the protagonist is the incredible fourteen year old, Harrison Bergeron. The antagonist is the handicapper general. The story is about equality to the extremes. With devices to interrupt thought, weights to weigh down the strong, masks to mask beauty, and other measures, the handicapper general, and society, attempt to make everybody exactly the same. Harrison, however, is the essence of everything that their society is trying to contain. He is an athlete, a towering individual, attractive, and intelligent. The story is about his brief attempt to become ‘ruler’ and destroy these absurdities. In a typical Vonnegut fashion, the story is all sunshine and moonbeams and has a poignant, abrupt end.
“Where have are you going? Where have you been?” Joyce Carol Oates:
The protagonist in the story is Connie, a slightly rebellious teenage girl that enjoys the typical teenage girl activity. She struggles to fit in with her family, with whom she is constantly fighting against. Due to this, she takes on two roles. On one of her outings with a friend, she strays across the path of Arnold Friend, the indisputable antagonist. At first, the encounter seems typical, slightly odd, but not extremely unordinary. The conflict escalates however, as Arnold Friend drives to Connie’s house, obsessed with the idea of having her as his own, and determined to let nothing stand in his way.
“Metamorphosis” Kafka
The protagonist is Gregor in this story, a serious young man working to pay off his family’s debt. However, he wakes one morning to find that he is transformed into ‘vermin.’ The antagonist in this story is the transformation, but also the treatment he receives from his family.
The similarities seemed to deal with grief and how it was handled. In Joyce Carol Oates story, Connie accepts what is happening and leaves with Arnold Friend with the line “… so much land that Connie had never seen before and did not recognize except to know that she was going to it.” In Vonnegut’s story, Harrison’s parents watch a TV program and see their son Harrison, who has been in jail break in and declare that he is the new emperor. My favorite part is the end of the novel that entails Harrison’s death, but his parents are too handicapped to recall even moments later, why they are upset as they see him die. In Kafka’s, his family abuses him and scorns him. They are ungrateful for him and treat him as if he is a nuisance. His death is a relief to them.
"Harrison Bergeron"
ReplyDeleteThe protagonist is the title of the piece. He was a 14-year-old in 2081 America. The antagonist(s) is (are) either the government or Diana Moon Glampers, or maybe the antagonist is the enforcers of the equality laws. The main conflict within the story is the enforcing of equality. Under that umbrella, Harrison is taken away by the government, and put in jail, because he is an exceptional individual. His parents don't realize he's gone until, while watching a ballet on TV, Harrison storms the set and explains that he is the ultimate leader. He rips off his excessive handicaps, and begins to fly/levitate. Diana Moon Glampers ends up shooting him, and his parents aren't the wiser that their son is dead.
"The Metamorphosis"
The protagonist is Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman. The antagonist(s) is (are) either Gregor's father, the actual change he underwent, or the attitude of the family as a whole. The main conflict is the fact that Gregor Samsa has transformed into an insect believed to be around two to three feet long. The parents have to deal with the fact that Gregor is now an insect, and Gregor has to deal with the fact that he still reasons like himself as a human, for the most part. Gregor is slowly alienated from his family, and ends up dying in loneliness.
"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been"
The protagonist in this story is fifteen-year-old, Connie. The antagonist is Arnold Friend, an older gentlemen well into his twenties or thirties. The conflict here is that Arnold Friend arrives at Connie's house while she is at home alone. He starts spurting off information about Connie's parents and life that only Connie or someone very close to her would know. This bothers Connie, but she continues talking to him. She threatens to call the police at one point, but Arnold says that if she does he will come in the house, and forcibly take her. This scares Connie, and she becomes dizzy. After dizzily rushing to get a phone, she collapses onto the ground, and Arnold convinces her to come with him. She does, somewhat reluctantly.
Similarities?:
One of the similarities I picked out was the definite presence of a devil-like figure in each story. In "Harrison Bergeron," Diana Moon Glampers is in charge of disabling individuals from being special or succeeding, and she represents a devilish figure in this story. In "The Metamorphosis," Gregor's father represents a devil-like figure due to his physical violence towards Gregor, as well as never being too fond and almost bitter towards Gregor's insect self. In "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?," Joyce Carol Oates' description of Arnold Friend has been interpreted by many to be demonic, and I'd have to agree with that, simply because he is attractive at first, but starts being manipulative, threatening, and cold as the story progresses.
Differences?:
The differences I really picked up on were the emotions of the characters due to their conflict. Harrison Bergeron seems unphased by his predicament, simply because Vonnegut writes that Bergeron has little to no struggle with throwing his handicaps aside. Gregor Samsa seems to keep a positive mindset, but it's not necessarily happy. He seems somewhat content with his predicament, but you can sense his feelings of wanting to be rid of this insect self. He seems very passive about the whole situation, but has most of his thoughts on his family instead of himself. He's not very self-centered. Connie is a very confused young girl. She likes who she is, but it has sadly attracted the wrong person. She's scared and confused just like any young girl would be in that situation. So, each of the characters have very different personalities.
-Nathan Fox-
John Furniss
ReplyDeleteWhere Are You Going, Where Have You Been?
Protagonist- Connie
Antagonist- Arnold Friend
Conflict- Arnold Friend stalked Connie and Connie's innocence was stripped away by a predator who used Connie's naive, self absorbed ways to eventually attack her at her house one day when she was alone.
Harrison Bergeron
Protagonist-Harrison Bergeron
Antagonist-Handicapper General or the government as a whole
Conflict- Harrison Bergeron wanted everyone to live their own individual lives, and he tried to overthrow the government that operated in a boring, everyone being equal, unrealistic manner. When he finally looked like he was about to overthrow them, he was killed instantly and the civilians were forced to forget he even existed.
Similarities-
There's a character that wants to live in innocence and have their own life separate from others. Connie wants to live a different life than her older sister June, while Harrison wants to live a different life than other people in his community. That desire to be different ultimately contributed to their demise.
Differences-
Joyce Carol Oates story occurred in the past, while Kurt Vonnegut Jr.'s story occurred way in the future.
Harrison Bergeron
ReplyDeleteIn this story the protagonist is Harrison and the antagonist is the handicapper general, Diana Moon Glampers. The conflict in the story is that all people are put under handicaps so that everyone will be equal.
Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been
In this story the protagonist is Connie and the antagonist is Arnold Friend. The conflict in the story is that Arnold is trying to take Connie on a drive and it inevitably leads to a fight, where Connie finally gives in.
The Metamorphosis
In this story the protagonist is Gregor Samsa and the antogonist is his family. The conflict occures when Gregor transforms into an insect and his already struggling family must deal with this new problem.
The Similarities are that each characters problems arise from within the home, and with family.
The difference is that each main characters problem is completely different and the main theme of each story is different.
1. In "Where are you going, Where have you been?" the protagonist is Connie, a young woman enjoying her summer break, and the antagonist is Arnold Friend, a rather creepy smooth-talker. Her family could also be seen as antagonistic--especially her mother--since they don't often support her. The conflict arises towards the end of the narrative when Arnold Friend, a character she saw earlier but never met, unexpectedly drives up to her house with his friend Ellie. He tries to persuade her to go out for a ride with him, and sensing the eeriness about the situation she resists. Eventually she gives in.
ReplyDeleteIn "The Metamorphosis" the protagonist is Gregor Samsa, and his family are all antagonists (namely his father). The conflict states itself in the first sentence--he's mysteriously changed into a giant insect, losing the ability to talk like a human rendering communication with his family nearly impossible. This leads to his family pretty much exiling him. Towards the end of this story, the family decides to give up the notion that he'll return to human form and with the help of an injury caused by a thrown apple, Gregor dies.
The protagonist in "Harrison Bergeron" is the namesake of the title, and the antagonists are the agents of the U.S. Handicapper General (namely the H.G. herself, Diana Moon Glampers). The conflict is that Harrison is arrested and then escapes from jail for declaring mutiny against the government. We only see the physical conflict that arises as a result through a television show. Harrison breaks into the TV set, declares himself Emperor, takes a particularly beautiful ballerina as his Empress, and is shot and killed moments later when the H.G. enters the scene.
2. The stories are all similar in that the protagonists realize their fate before their untimely death and seem to come to peace with it, even though it wasn't necessarily how they'd like it to end. While Connie in Oats' story doesn't die during the narrative, it's assumed she'll be killed later (the story is about an Arizona murderer). The protagonists also all have strained relationships with their parents (Harrison's parents don't remember enough about him, Connie's don't support her, and Gregor's parents are disgusted with him and happy when he's gone.)
The settings are different (i.e. an apartment in an unknown time period, a house in the now-past, and a house in the distant future). The characters also have different personalities (i.e. Gregor doesn't think much about how he looks, while Connie is constantly thinking about her appearance). The conflicts are all played out differently as well.
At first I intend to write about Franz Kafka “The Metamorphosis”. The protagonist is Gregor Samsa. He worked as the salesperson of the piece of cloth. His family, especially his father, are antagonists . The main conflict occurs when Gregor Samsa became the huge poisonous insect.
ReplyDeleteThe parents deal with Gregor is now an insect, not the human being and Gregor had hit it to an insect, but he did not lose the feelings and was able to mind a family. He held thought of the time when he was a human being for the most part. He still loved families, but the family did not love him anymore. He will watch cruel reality for him. Finally, he ends up dying in loneliness.
Next,I intend to write about Joyce Carol Oates “Where are you going, Where have you been?” The protagonist is Connie,who is fifteen years old.
She enjoys her summer break. The antagonist is Arnold Friend, an older gentlemen. The conflict has occured when Arnold Friend arrives at Connie's house while Connie is at home with his friend Ellie. He tries to persuade her to go out for a ride with him. This makes Connie scare, and she becomes dizzy. What an amazing story!!
So, finally I will write about Kurt Vonnegut “Harrison Bergeron” . The protagonist is Harrison Bergeron, who is fourteen year old. The antagonist is the handicapper general , Diana Moon Glampers. The main conflict about the story is the enforcing of equality, I think. A difference of the sense of values with society that no one can seem to understand the sense of handicappers because general people live better with their rules.
(Similarities) There is a character that wants to live with own hope but in reality,they have to spend own life separate from others. And also, the protagonists have not good relationships with their parents, and families.
They never spend the satisfactory life. They were confused by hardship and a difference of the sense of values.
(difficulties) Main theme is difficult, and the problems which they have are also difficult
SOSUKE NAKANO