So I made a playlist of songs I think would fit with Beloved, especially Sethe. Here is the link to the songs if you want to take a listen and below that is the song titles and reasons why I chose them.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWWUogTXNVTlNscNGUO_o1ygbb7KImIRe
1. Charlie's Soliloquy (Reprise) from Kinky Boots- It's basically a song that is about mistakes, and realizing it, which is something I think Sethe feels about killing her first born.
2. How Long Must This Go On from Beauty and the Beast- Makes me think for Sethe, how much longer will she have to endure the pain of her past.
3. Castle on a Cloud from Les Misérables- Makes me think of something Sethe would think or sing while she was a slave because it's a song about having to do all this work but imagining and dreaming of another place..a better place.
4. Dawn's Lament from Buffy the Vampire Slayer- Reminds me of something Sethe probably feels, wondering if anybody notices or cares that she has endured so much, and the pain she feels.
5. There's a World from Next to Normal- Another song I imagine relating to Sethe because she imagines a better world, and wants more than anything to get there.
6. Mad House by Rihanna- This is what I imagine the plantation being. A mad house. A terrible place.
7. I Can't Breathe by Ghost- Something I feel a decent amount of characters feel, like Beloved, non-existent, which a ghost sings this song. Sethe probably feels it in the way "I can't help anymore, help me".
8. Arrival of the Trio/Are You Ready from Love Never Dies- In a way, a song that could be right before Sethe escapes the plantation. Are you ready for this new journey? It could be bad..but could be good. Could be...haunting.
9. I Need to Know from Tarzan- About needing to know your place in the world, something I think Sethe's daughter, Denver feels.
10. I Dreamed a Dance from Next to Normal- A song I would imagine being between Sethe and baby Beloved because the song is about a mother and her dead child, wanting to be together again.
11. Something's Coming from West Side Story- A song I'm sure Sethe felt at one point on the plantation, that with all this awfulness, something good has to be coming and maybe can. A song I'd see right before her escape.
12. One Song Glory from RENT- It's a very sad song, like one to be song when all hope is lost, something I'm sure Sethe has felt.
13. Stand from Smash- A song about basically not giving up, something I think would need to be played for Sethe with her time on the plantation.
14. Permanent from David Cook- A song that would be from Sethe to Beloved.
15. They Live in You from The Lion King- A song in regards to the past staying with you, including Beloved to Sethe.
16. The Dark I Know Well from Spring Awakening- This song is basically about being raped and hard times, something I imagine Sethe would sing.
17. Never Give All the Heart from Smash- A song maybe from Denver, who is trying to find her place, and to not get too attached.
18. Overture/Work Song from Les Misérables- A song I imagine slaves would sing on the plantation.
19. The Hanging Tree by Jennifer Lawrence- I can't really explain it, but I just feel like this song would fit.
20. Not While I'm Around from Sweeney Todd- A song I see Sethe singing to her children because she's so protective.
21. Bad Moon Rising by Mourning Ritual- Something that could be said about Beloved, who brings a lot of bad memories back to life.
22. I Miss You by Miley Cyrus- Something Sethe would sing to Beloved or vice versa.
23. Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift- Something to be said from Sethe to her children, because she wants nothing more for them to be safe and sound.
24. What Now by Rihanna- A song I'd see being played in the background as Sethe would have a breakdown.
25. Beat It by Michael Jackson- A song that would be for any slave on the plantation, basically I see it as a motivational and fight song. Beat it. Don't give in.
26. You'll Be In My Heart by Phil Collins- A song Sethe might sing to her children.
27. Light from Next to Normal- A song about needing some light, and happiness. Something Sethe and all of them need.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Post sixteen...the Epilogue.
Yesterday. Yesterday was the day that Malia had turned in her project. The day that she turned in 100+ hours of work. Her determination for the project, was unreal. Her determination to make the world aware and a better place, became even more real. She ended up joining several organizations that teach people the importance of equality, the importance of trauma, and the importance to be yourself. I'm sure you're all wondering what happened with her project though, right? Well, her professor, Dr. McKaid had read over her project. He laughed...he cried..the whole cliché experience. He was very moved by all the research she had done, and the risks she took, and while he was disappointed it affected her health so much, he was moved that she told him everything. While in theory, he thought her project was worth only a B+, with all the hard work she did, and how she really tried throughout the semester even though she had an insane schedule and had to learn to survive on little food, 2-3 hours of sleep a night, and had endured so many bad situations, he gave her an A because he could tell that she really tried. Malia received a phone call, instead of an email saying how incredibly proud and moved he was with her project, which is something she had never heard or had happen to her before. She wasn't used to someone saying they were proud of her, especially in an academic setting. Malia was so inspired through this project, that while she became a famous actress, she also started up her own organization that taught about slavery and the importance of equality through the expression of performance. The project moved her for the better, and moved her into the right direction in life.
Post fifteen...today.
Today is the day. Today is the day that I turn in my project. Today is the day my professor reads my 27 different journal entries, including the example ones I put in here. It's been a very long process, but I've worked so very hard that I'm hoping it shows to my professor and that I do well in this class. I've watched countless documentaries, read several books, listened to a few different cassette tapes, and used my acting knowledge to try and pick up characteristics and mindsets that Sethe would have. In honor of finishing my project, I leave you with a goodbye journal entry from Sethe.
Dear journal,
Words cannot express how helpful you've been ta me. While I think writing in here has been good for my soul, admitting to things I've endured and my fears, I feel dat it is the time for me to say goodbye. I do think it is important to show when you are not feelin' as strong as you would like ta, but it's just hard for me to show. Maybe someday I can, and teach my children that even though I've endured some of the hardest times, it doesn't mean dat they have ta. I want a betta life for my children, than the one I lived. I don't want them to ever kill their children, in the thought that it may save them. It does the opposite. It kills their chance at a life and possible happiness. I'll forever regret that day, but I do not regret keepin' my other children alive. I do not regret being with Halle or, really the events leadin' up to today for they made me who I was made to be. Without them, I wouldn't have my children either. Maybe it's good I'mma stop writin', for then maybe I can really dive into this thing we call life..experience it fully, without thinkin' ta document every second of it. You have been real kind and always there for me, and I appreciate dat. Maybe someday, my stories will be read and people will learn from them and make the world a better place. That's all for my story..goodbye now.
Sethe
Dear journal,
Words cannot express how helpful you've been ta me. While I think writing in here has been good for my soul, admitting to things I've endured and my fears, I feel dat it is the time for me to say goodbye. I do think it is important to show when you are not feelin' as strong as you would like ta, but it's just hard for me to show. Maybe someday I can, and teach my children that even though I've endured some of the hardest times, it doesn't mean dat they have ta. I want a betta life for my children, than the one I lived. I don't want them to ever kill their children, in the thought that it may save them. It does the opposite. It kills their chance at a life and possible happiness. I'll forever regret that day, but I do not regret keepin' my other children alive. I do not regret being with Halle or, really the events leadin' up to today for they made me who I was made to be. Without them, I wouldn't have my children either. Maybe it's good I'mma stop writin', for then maybe I can really dive into this thing we call life..experience it fully, without thinkin' ta document every second of it. You have been real kind and always there for me, and I appreciate dat. Maybe someday, my stories will be read and people will learn from them and make the world a better place. That's all for my story..goodbye now.
Sethe
Post fourteen..I made a statement today.
I took a huge risk in what I did today at school..I wanted to make a statement and encourage people too look more into slavery and put an end to it once and for all, and to diminsh, and hopefully, completely end racism. What I did was, based off of my research on Beloved and slavery, and to attempt to get into the character, I dressed in attire I read that they would wear. I ate very little. I painted scars on my back to show the pain. I didn't do this to offend anyone, and if I did, I cannot express how sorry I am. I did it to make a statement. Unfortunately, as a white women, people look at me more, so..I used this to my advantage to speak up and teach people more about slavery. When they asked what I was doing, I kindly explained to them what my goal was for it; to raise more awareness that while yes, Lincoln technically abolished slavery, it still exists today and the racism nowadays is so very cleary shown. I wanted to try to show people more of the ugly truth of slavery and to understand why it is extremely important to treat everyone as equals. I was applauded by my professor for my dedication to get into the mind of the character, and said it was a bold move and that he thought people appreciated my attempt to make a statement to hopefully make things better. As a woman of different race, it's important that I fight for people different than me, and not against them. In order to make the world a better place, you have to do something. Ironically enough, later tonight when I was in my room, I hallucinated a visit from Sethe again. She told me not to worry and beat myself up about what I had done, because it meant a lot to her in her eyes that I was trying to fight for her, and not against her. She said she was proud of all the hard work I have put into learning more about her and trying to make the world a better place. She said that she believes in me and that I should believe in me too.
Post thirteen..an imagination of Sethe and..moments.
When I think of Sethe, I imagine a woman who is not fond of breaking down in front of others, and if she can avoid it, she will. However, we all have our "weaker" moments, and breakdown in front of others. There is nothing wrong with that and I think that that isn't weak at all. I think it shows strength. It's like admitting that everyone has emotion in them, and sometimes it's too much, and I really think crying and breaking down is a part of the healing process. It's essential in my mind. I broke down the other night doing this project, but I saw that as okay, because it shows how much I care about this, and about what the readers and my professor will think.
I see Sethe as one who quotes "loses it" moreso when she is alone, while the kids are in the other room, or no one is home. I see that if she is caught crying, she denies it or makes an excuse that it's not what it looks like, or that her eyes are dry. I see her breaking down from thinking of flashbacks, as she did say.. "nothing ever dies", and there are loads of flashbacks throughout the story. If I were to write about her having flashback..it would go something like this:
Dear journal,
I'm losing it. The thoughts came pourin' in. It's too much to bear sometimes. Nothing ever dies. Not what I've done...not what's been done ta me. Nothin'. Though, I suppose I should be thinking about the fact that since nothing ever dies, that means the good things don't die either. Little Denver saw me cryin' today, I was kneeling with my face into ma hands, cryin' away...thinkin' bout what I had done to my first baby...thinkin' bout when I was raped...beaten. When she asked, 'Mama, what's wrong?' I told her I was just in pain from the tree on my back..my scars...I told her that their pain is just a symbol of strength, because I can handle that pain. I'm here aren't I? Sometimes it's just too hard though. I think I hear somebody in the other room, I should go. Put on a brave face. Write soon.
Sethe
I see Sethe as one who quotes "loses it" moreso when she is alone, while the kids are in the other room, or no one is home. I see that if she is caught crying, she denies it or makes an excuse that it's not what it looks like, or that her eyes are dry. I see her breaking down from thinking of flashbacks, as she did say.. "nothing ever dies", and there are loads of flashbacks throughout the story. If I were to write about her having flashback..it would go something like this:
Dear journal,
I'm losing it. The thoughts came pourin' in. It's too much to bear sometimes. Nothing ever dies. Not what I've done...not what's been done ta me. Nothin'. Though, I suppose I should be thinking about the fact that since nothing ever dies, that means the good things don't die either. Little Denver saw me cryin' today, I was kneeling with my face into ma hands, cryin' away...thinkin' bout what I had done to my first baby...thinkin' bout when I was raped...beaten. When she asked, 'Mama, what's wrong?' I told her I was just in pain from the tree on my back..my scars...I told her that their pain is just a symbol of strength, because I can handle that pain. I'm here aren't I? Sometimes it's just too hard though. I think I hear somebody in the other room, I should go. Put on a brave face. Write soon.
Sethe
Post twelve..what Derek told me.
Well, I completely forgot I had a huge math test today, and I hadn't studied at all because I've been working on this project so much..so I'm pretty sure I failed that test. Maybe I can talk to my professor about any available extra credit opportunity..
Okay, so..Derek was not as much of a help as I would have thought, and here I am in Starbucks, listening to the song Hallelujah from Shrek trying to decide what my next move for this project will be.. I should probably mention the advice Derek told me. His first words were "stop stressing so much, the professor will be happy for all your hard work anyway. I'm sure he understands how hard this is..but he believes in you, otherwise, would he have really allowed you to carry on with this project?" It honestly made my day. Then he told me, if I could, I should interview someone who was once a slave...or in a similar position. Only problem with that, is I do not know of anyone. Then he said to look up documentaries on slavery, so...I did. I found this incredible documentary:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfusLVvOlRM
It was really eye-opening. I am speechless. It gave me more of a feel, hearing what these people had to say about what slavery was like. I'll never be able to understand completely, but I will get a better look into what it was like.
I think for my next blog post, I'll dicuss what I think Sethe may experience sometimes when she's alone, or when she's not.
Okay, so..Derek was not as much of a help as I would have thought, and here I am in Starbucks, listening to the song Hallelujah from Shrek trying to decide what my next move for this project will be.. I should probably mention the advice Derek told me. His first words were "stop stressing so much, the professor will be happy for all your hard work anyway. I'm sure he understands how hard this is..but he believes in you, otherwise, would he have really allowed you to carry on with this project?" It honestly made my day. Then he told me, if I could, I should interview someone who was once a slave...or in a similar position. Only problem with that, is I do not know of anyone. Then he said to look up documentaries on slavery, so...I did. I found this incredible documentary:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfusLVvOlRM
It was really eye-opening. I am speechless. It gave me more of a feel, hearing what these people had to say about what slavery was like. I'll never be able to understand completely, but I will get a better look into what it was like.
I think for my next blog post, I'll dicuss what I think Sethe may experience sometimes when she's alone, or when she's not.
Post eleven...thoughts on how I think the past one went..
As weird as it is, I think the past entry was better than the current entry. I can't really explain as to why though. I mean in theory, I think that I had an equal amount of information for both her past and her present in the story, because Toni Morrison is an incredible writer. There's so much material to work with, but I don't want to just be re-itterating what the story already is. That's not the point of this. My point of this project is to attempt to get into the head of a character, but in writing form. I want to do the character justice, but I cannot promise that. It's a way of attempting to understand somebody who is different than you and I think that that is so important. There are so many people struggling so I think that it is important to do everything that you can to understand someone, whether you've been through their experience or not, you can always give sympathy. Now that my words of wisdom have been released, it's off to bed for me..considering it's, you know, 4:37AM...and I have to be up at 6:00AM for school..Maybe I can ask Derek for advice on how else I can go about this project...I always accept both ideas and criticism.
Post ten...an attempt at a past Sethe..
Dear journal,
I wish I was stronger. I wish I could escape. I feel ashamed about the scars on my back. The fact I couldn'ta fought back. That I was raped. That I'm used for work, and am treated bad. If I ever have kids, I would't want dem to have to go through this. At first, I was thinkin' 'wow, all these men be wanting me.' but then I realized it was just cause they wanted to use me, for sex. Which, when I was taken for it, against me will..dat wasn't sex. Dat was rape. And if dat ever happened to a kid of my own, I'd haveta kill the rapist. They shouldn't be let go. I know other women on the plantation who have been raped, and I know it messes with their head too. And our slave masters, they could easily treat us so much betta..but they don't. They think they're superior. It's just skin color, why does dat matter so much? I know they could get us betta food and clothes, they just don't. I don't want to live the rest of my life here. 'Specially if I have a family. Maybe I'll have a family someday with Halle..don't know. Maybe we can escape together one day. I 'member when we made love in the cornfield...later others ate the corn...the ones we did stuff in. Not sure if they know dat or not. Oh well. I wonda what a life is like, not being a slave? Doing what I want, gettin' a job that I maybe want..endless possibilities. I wonda if somewhere, slaves are treated kindly? Or if they are happy? I'm not real happy. I wish I was though, I miss smiling. Well, I betta get my rest for anotha day. Maybe I'll make it outta here someday..
Sethe
I wish I was stronger. I wish I could escape. I feel ashamed about the scars on my back. The fact I couldn'ta fought back. That I was raped. That I'm used for work, and am treated bad. If I ever have kids, I would't want dem to have to go through this. At first, I was thinkin' 'wow, all these men be wanting me.' but then I realized it was just cause they wanted to use me, for sex. Which, when I was taken for it, against me will..dat wasn't sex. Dat was rape. And if dat ever happened to a kid of my own, I'd haveta kill the rapist. They shouldn't be let go. I know other women on the plantation who have been raped, and I know it messes with their head too. And our slave masters, they could easily treat us so much betta..but they don't. They think they're superior. It's just skin color, why does dat matter so much? I know they could get us betta food and clothes, they just don't. I don't want to live the rest of my life here. 'Specially if I have a family. Maybe I'll have a family someday with Halle..don't know. Maybe we can escape together one day. I 'member when we made love in the cornfield...later others ate the corn...the ones we did stuff in. Not sure if they know dat or not. Oh well. I wonda what a life is like, not being a slave? Doing what I want, gettin' a job that I maybe want..endless possibilities. I wonda if somewhere, slaves are treated kindly? Or if they are happy? I'm not real happy. I wish I was though, I miss smiling. Well, I betta get my rest for anotha day. Maybe I'll make it outta here someday..
Sethe
Post nine..a weird experience.
Alright, so I was in panic mode last night and haven't been sleeping much because of this project. The amount of researh and effort I'm putting in is crazy. This is one of the projects that I've put the most time in. Anyway, my point is...I had a crazy hallucination last night. I was sitting at my computer, deciding what I wanted to post next to the blog, and I swear I heard someone say "Malia". So naturally I turned, thinking it was my mother or one of my friends climbed through my window again (they have been known to do that...they're weird but I love them.) Anyway, I turned and I swear to you I saw Sethe. She talked to me. She was saying to me that writing and researching things about her, has made her feel like I truly care, which I do. She said, it made her want to make me her child, even though I was white. I thought it was super sweet because of how devoted she was to her kids, howeve, I don't necessarily want her to try to kill me. Though she assured me, she wouldn't. She said I need to stop being so hard on myself. She said that I'm doing fine and while I may not be able to completely get her down, she appreciates that I care and the effort I put in. She said, that in a way, the way I'm acting and going about my presentation, is making me seem like a 21st century slave to research, academics, and trying to impress others and doing everything that they say. She says I need to give myself some positive thoughts and escape to a better place, like she escaped to a new place away from dreadful Sweet Home. I realize she wasn't actually in my room with me, but I swear it felt so real. Maybe I should sleep a little..but I'm just so worried about this project, and I want to do well. I haven't been sleeping, or eating. I swear it's what school does to you. A lot of people just don't want to admit it, especially if you aren't a student. Maybe I'll take a break from writing tonight, and just drink some tea, eat something and go to bed. I'll take another crack at it tomorrow.
Post eight...feedback on my past post.
As weird as it is, I rearead my post and thought about it as if I were somebody else. My thought process on it is that I could have done better. I thought to give some sense on context as to what is happening in the "current" time in the book, however, I'm not so sure it worked. Maybe for the next post, I'll have a go at the "past" time in the book. It's worth a shot trying both, right? Also, confession. Initially I wasn't palnning on attempting to write from the perspective of Sethe, I was going to write from the perspective of Beloved, but because Beloved doesn't have a completely defined identity, I didn't want to royally screw her character up. As I continue to work on this project, I am getting more frustrated because I feel like I'm not doing good enough. I don't want to disappoint my professor, and I do want him to know that I am trying very hard and have worked on this project alone already about 79 hours worth, of just writing and scractching out ideas. It is more difficult then I thought. Maybe he will see how hard I've worked by the end of it. Well, back to the drawing board..not literally a drawing board...more of a writing down more ideas in my journal, scratching out bad ones and attempting to add decent ones.
Post seven...an attempt at Sethe..
Bare with me, as this is my first attempt at writing from the mind of Sethe..this is just what I am getting from my research so far, but being a white woman in the 21st century, writing in perspective of a black woman in the 1800s, it is going to be quite difficult and I am in no way, implying that I know how it would feel like or how she would speak. Here is my attempt at her character though:
Dear journal,
It seemed being alive was the hard part. For me though. I been told was looking good to most of the men. Seemed clear to me when I had them men pining after me. Took me bout a year to choose. I chose Halle. Look where dat got me. Anyways, it was clear to me I was good lookin'..otherwise maybe I wouldn'ta been raped. Happy I'm outta Sweet Home though. Place was anything but sweet. Wouldn't want that for ma kids. I love them with all ma heart, I do..which is why I triedta kill them. It was out of motherly love, but after I killed the first, I just couldn't do it no more. The pain was too much. I hear someone at the door though. Write soon.
Sethe
Dear journal,
It seemed being alive was the hard part. For me though. I been told was looking good to most of the men. Seemed clear to me when I had them men pining after me. Took me bout a year to choose. I chose Halle. Look where dat got me. Anyways, it was clear to me I was good lookin'..otherwise maybe I wouldn'ta been raped. Happy I'm outta Sweet Home though. Place was anything but sweet. Wouldn't want that for ma kids. I love them with all ma heart, I do..which is why I triedta kill them. It was out of motherly love, but after I killed the first, I just couldn't do it no more. The pain was too much. I hear someone at the door though. Write soon.
Sethe
Post six..Some research finding! Maybe next post will be an example of an entry from Sethe?!
Alright, so I was doing some research in how to get into a character's head, and I saw this video that I found pretty interesting across my findings. It's of Liam Neeson talking a little about how he got into character for his role in the Schindler's List, which is another story (but in film form) that is sad but a decent representation of a powerful, and historical event.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v71tEUSUF-o
Confession:
It's a tad difficult reading Remembering Slavery , and it's honestly because it's written in such a way that I don't speak. That's only because of the differences in how we were raised. I had it pretty good growing up, the slaves in this book clearly did not and that hurts me. I wish that there was something I could have done. Anyway, I think that the way this book is written is actually very good because it gives you insight onto how some slaves actually talked lol. I also really liked that there were pictures of the people speaking in the book. What they said have deeped my research and understanding of what it must have been like for Sethe as a slave.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v71tEUSUF-o
Confession:
It's a tad difficult reading Remembering Slavery , and it's honestly because it's written in such a way that I don't speak. That's only because of the differences in how we were raised. I had it pretty good growing up, the slaves in this book clearly did not and that hurts me. I wish that there was something I could have done. Anyway, I think that the way this book is written is actually very good because it gives you insight onto how some slaves actually talked lol. I also really liked that there were pictures of the people speaking in the book. What they said have deeped my research and understanding of what it must have been like for Sethe as a slave.
Update as well, my Uncle Vick had said that although slavery wasn't his specialty, but what he did say was that the first slave owner was a black man, part of the white house was built by slaves, they were not given adequate clothing, slaves were encouraged to marry because if they had children then their wealth would increase, and most importantly: Slavery was and still is wrong.
That makes me think that for Sethe, it was probably good that her kids were not with her when she was a slave, because she says something about not wanting them to endure all the pain and torture she went through being a slave, hence why attempted murder was a thing she did. I mean, why on earth would she want to help her slave master? Or risk her children being beaten or raped like she was?
Post five..An all-nighter
While I was at school today, my friend Derek came up to me and asked how my project was going. I had a moment in weakness because I broke down, thinking "what if I can't do it? What if I can't do any of it justice or make Toni Morrison proud, should she ever see it?" Derek had hugged me and told me that it would be okay, but..I'm just nervous. So, I went to a trusted professor and asked him if he had any books on slavery, like ones that have previous slaves speak about their experiences. He gave me this book called Remembering Slavery and I'm hoping that it will be a good help. So far it's quite interesting, but again makes me sad. I just don't see how people could have ever done something so bad to people based on their skin color. We are all human. What we look like should not matter. It's what we do that matters. Anyway, back to what I'm doing. While looking at this book, I realize that while all slaves have gone through the worst of things, they have all experienced it differently and had different thoughts and feelings on it. Not to mention that some of them may have gotten it worse than others, so I realize that while I may not get a perfect example of what happened to Sethe, I will get some more insight on how slavery was from people who experienced it firsthand. I wanted to read more tonight, but my mom is having guests over and she says I have to clean and help out. Maybe I can ask some of them their opinions on everything or see if they have suggestions on how I should continue my research..I think my Uncle Vick is coming over and he's a history buff. He majored in history and has a doctorate in it. He's bound to have some ideas..
Post Four..let's talk Sethe.
Alright, my first step in trying to get into this character's head, would have to be looking at her and knowing a decent amount about. Sooo....here is what I know about Sethe.
She is a mother who was wanted by several different men on the plantation and has endured some of the worst things imaginable. I have never been a slave, so I cannot say that I understand her hardships, and even though I realize she is a character in a story, my heart just hurts for all she has endured. She has been whipped and beaten so many times that there are seemingly endless amount of scars on her back, that are said to look like a tree. Now, in my mind, I think that that is a symbol of some sort. Trees produce leaves, correct? Well, in my mind maybe Sethe is the said "tree" and her children are the "leaves". Well, trees, I imagine, do their best to produce the best leaves, and some of them last longer than others because they're stronger and healthier, while some clearly do not last as long. Which makes me think, her first baby, would be a weaker leaf that goes first. Eventually though, all the leaves will be gone, which can be connected to the fact that every one of her children will someday be gone. Whether it's in leaving (no pun intended), or death. Everything dies, that's unavoidable, but we all go at different times just like all leaves go at different times. Maybe I'm over-thinking this, at 3am on a Wednesday. I just thought it was an interesting connection. Some other things I know about Sethe, is that she was desirable, strong, devoted to her chilren, someone who makes mistakes, she barely knew her mother, and she was terrified of the thought that her children had the possibility of enduring what she had to as a slave. So, out of an act of her love and protectiveness of them, she attempted to murder them. That is, until she murdered her first and then it was just too unbearable to do again. Sethe, also, unfortunately endured one of the worst things a person could experience in my opinion, which is rape. I think Sethe does consider herself higher up than the others, simply in the fact that take food from the restaurant she worked at rather than wait. She tends to not trust men, and I think a big part of that had to do with being raped. Sethe had believed that "nothing ever dies" even though, she tries to avoid it as much as possible. I do think that that will be a main component, or should be when writing about her/as her. That gives a lot of insight to her character. While for the most part, Sethe and I are complete opposites, I do think we have a few things in common and I think it'll be a unique challenge that will help me grow as both a person in an attempt to understand somebody different than myself, as a writer in exploring how to write better, and as an actor by learning more ways to get inside the head of a character.
She is a mother who was wanted by several different men on the plantation and has endured some of the worst things imaginable. I have never been a slave, so I cannot say that I understand her hardships, and even though I realize she is a character in a story, my heart just hurts for all she has endured. She has been whipped and beaten so many times that there are seemingly endless amount of scars on her back, that are said to look like a tree. Now, in my mind, I think that that is a symbol of some sort. Trees produce leaves, correct? Well, in my mind maybe Sethe is the said "tree" and her children are the "leaves". Well, trees, I imagine, do their best to produce the best leaves, and some of them last longer than others because they're stronger and healthier, while some clearly do not last as long. Which makes me think, her first baby, would be a weaker leaf that goes first. Eventually though, all the leaves will be gone, which can be connected to the fact that every one of her children will someday be gone. Whether it's in leaving (no pun intended), or death. Everything dies, that's unavoidable, but we all go at different times just like all leaves go at different times. Maybe I'm over-thinking this, at 3am on a Wednesday. I just thought it was an interesting connection. Some other things I know about Sethe, is that she was desirable, strong, devoted to her chilren, someone who makes mistakes, she barely knew her mother, and she was terrified of the thought that her children had the possibility of enduring what she had to as a slave. So, out of an act of her love and protectiveness of them, she attempted to murder them. That is, until she murdered her first and then it was just too unbearable to do again. Sethe, also, unfortunately endured one of the worst things a person could experience in my opinion, which is rape. I think Sethe does consider herself higher up than the others, simply in the fact that take food from the restaurant she worked at rather than wait. She tends to not trust men, and I think a big part of that had to do with being raped. Sethe had believed that "nothing ever dies" even though, she tries to avoid it as much as possible. I do think that that will be a main component, or should be when writing about her/as her. That gives a lot of insight to her character. While for the most part, Sethe and I are complete opposites, I do think we have a few things in common and I think it'll be a unique challenge that will help me grow as both a person in an attempt to understand somebody different than myself, as a writer in exploring how to write better, and as an actor by learning more ways to get inside the head of a character.
Post three..I'VE FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT!
Alright, so I'm not sure if you all are aware of this or not, but there is this wonderful and emotional novel, called Beloved by Toni Morrison. It is a historical fiction novel written in the 1980's in Albany, New York and was published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. in 1987. The narrator in the story is mostly anonymous, but is occasionally taken over by some characters. The setting is in 1873 in Cincinnati, Ohio but occasionallh has flashbacks to the 1850s to the Sweet Home plantation in Kentucky and to the prison in Alfred, Georgia. This is a story of heartache, death, slavery, ghosts, and a little love. Anyway, I have this professor, and he told me that he was giving me an assignment, well, he was giving our class an assignment. He said that if we want to get into the arts, it is important for us to know how to get into a character's head through our own actor's knowledge, and how to use research to get into the character's head, but more importantly, write about it. This is why I have created this blog. I am going to update you on my processes on how to get into the character, Sethe's, head. I've picked her because I find her to be such an important character and she is so different from me. I know I'll never be able to give her character true justice, because we are so different and Toni Morrison is such an incredible writer, that I cannot compare. However, I would like to try and I hope that I would give Toni Morrison a little something to be proud of. I, in no way, mean to offend anybody by doing so if I am, nor am I trying to steal work or get any sort of gain from this. Simply a learning experience. Anyway, not only did I pick Sethe to attempt to write about because we are so different, but because I had a motherly instinct of my own the other day with my dog, Cocoa. Weird, I know. She looks up to me like a leader and mother, and that's what Sethe is, I think. While I do not agree with everything she did, I understand to an extent why she did them and I think honestly she was just trying to give her children protection in the long wrong. I, in no way, support killing her child though. I know this project will be a challenge, but I think that I can do it.
~Malia
Also, this is my first blog..so please, be nice!
~Malia
Also, this is my first blog..so please, be nice!
Post two...the Prologue.
It was a dark, and stormy Tuesday night..Malia was wide awake, thinking about what her professor had assigned for her writing assignment. Her professor, Dr. McKaid, had said that it is important for anyone wanting to get into the arts, to be able to know how to get into the mind of a character, and show it through writing. They were told to base it off a character unlike themselves from a story that showed important and historical moments. Malia was at a loss and becoming more and more frustrated as the minutes ticked by, so she decided to wander downstairs and make herself a nice cup of hot cocoa. As she descended down the stairs, she was greeted by her dog, Cocoa, ironic name given the circumstances. Thinking about it, made Malia giggle. Cocoa was a seven-year oldChow Chow, who ironically, ate a lot of chow chow. (The food..not the dog. The dog is not a cannibal.) Cocoa was the sweetest dog and loved to be in Malia's company. Malia made the most delicious cup of hot cocoa she had ever had, and returned to her room, followed by Cocoa. While hugging her sweet pup when in her room, she felt like, as weird as it was, Cocoa looked to her as both a leader and a mother figure, and she even felt like one. Then it hit her. That's the character she should write about. Sethe, from a novel close to her heart, Beloved.
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Stealing these imaginative posts is both wrong and prohibited. The reader is reading this blog at their own risk. Enjoy.
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My creative works are just that, mine. Reprinting or publishing these posts without my written consent is prohibited. By creative works, I mean ideas of what I think is going on the character's head based on what I know as an actor, a writer, and a reader.
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All the information on this blog is for my academic project and for entertainment purposes only. I do not own Beloved, the storyline, etc. No copyright infringement intended.
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I reserve the right to shut down, sell, change the terms of use, or change the focus of my blog at any given time, in addition to editing the posts or anything else on the blog at my own discretion.
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Letters to the Editor:
I do not plan on actively keeping up on this blog. However, if you send me anything, I will not publish them unless you would like me to.
Terms of Use:
Stealing these imaginative posts is both wrong and prohibited. The reader is reading this blog at their own risk. Enjoy.
Copyright Policy:
My creative works are just that, mine. Reprinting or publishing these posts without my written consent is prohibited. By creative works, I mean ideas of what I think is going on the character's head based on what I know as an actor, a writer, and a reader.
Hold Harmless:
All the information on this blog is for my academic project and for entertainment purposes only. I do not own Beloved, the storyline, etc. No copyright infringement intended.
Privacy Statement:
I will not be using any of your information (if given), for anything. I am not responsible for the privacy practices of any blog commenters on here.
Reserve Rights:
I reserve the right to shut down, sell, change the terms of use, or change the focus of my blog at any given time, in addition to editing the posts or anything else on the blog at my own discretion.
Advertisers and Sponsors:
Not applicable, because I do not have any, nor am I interested to.
Letters to the Editor:
I do not plan on actively keeping up on this blog. However, if you send me anything, I will not publish them unless you would like me to.
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