Review on "School Bags"

On Friday 20th November, 2009 my Literature class attended the play called, "School Bags". It began at approximately after 8pm. This play which was situated at the University of the West Indies Open campus, Antigua was about life as a a school child and the turmoils in which they are faced. "School Bags" reflects on the great absences of parents in our children's lives today. The production began with the opening selection of "the Graduate". This was about the minor struggles in which teens may undertake before they can refer to themselves as graduates of high school. Such struggles illustrated were that of teenage pregnancy, a male teen who turns to to the thug life and a female teen who lacks a father in her household. This selection was quite touching since it showed that we as teens must learn to overcome those obstacles and focus on the right of life.
"School Bags" began in the classroom setting. the main idea was to portray the average day of a student. As usual, the students were divided into their various cliques; the popular kids, the nerds, the thugs and the few that wanted to or couldn't care less to fit in. Obviously, the popular kids acknowledged themselves as the "leaders" of the class often bullying those who were lower on the social scale. There were other small conflicts for instance some of the students' joining of gangs, having sexual intercourse, students with insecurities in this case one of the students being criticized by her weight, students' drug and alcohol usage and sexual abuse. On most occasions, there is always a strong belief that a play such as this would end on a good note but ironically it did not. None of the stated conflicts were solved. i guess in a sense we as teens and as the audience wee to solve it ourselves;to take into affect what we had witnessed and to try our best to learn from their mistakes.
The lighting and props used were very suitable for the play in that the lights were dimmed to create dramatic effect and the props such as the students' attire and the desks came into place to present the classroom scene. Overall, the play was one of the best I have ever seen so far. the only aspect of it which needed a bit more improvement was the actors and actresses' projection. At some points of the play it was a bit difficult to grasp what they were saying.
The play "School Bags" reflects on the great amount of talent our youths possess.

The role of men and women in society during the Shakespearan period

During the shakespearan period, society was set with many rules and regulations in which the individuals had to follow. This society was seen as somewhat strict. The persons inhabiting it were very stereotypical and judgement. Women and men characterized by one set assumption. "women were to be seen and not heard," a term commonly used by the men who made themselves as head of the society. Additionally, a woman was supposed to be gentle and graceful since they were put down as the weaker sex even sometimes the inferior sex. If a woman was supposed to marry or have any romantic relations with a man she was to be pure. Women were often ridiculed for not being chaste. They were often banished from society or considered as "the neighbourhood's used kleenex". Aside from how a woman was to portray herself, in the home, a woman was to become a homemaker in that she was to bear children, raise them and cook and clean. A woman was not to go out and work. This hardly occured in the shakespearan society. As for a man's role in that time, men were to show leadership. They were less likely held as targets for ridicule. Men usually had it easier than women did. The men had a free voice whilst the women were left to watch and observe. The idea of a man being chaste before he were to wed was not of any major issue in that time. When it came to the home, a man was the head. The women basically seemed to be their "servants". Man hardly had any major responsibilities in the home other than him goin out to work and being the bread-winner. In Much ado about Nothing a female character which went against the definition of what a woman is supposed to be in the shakespearan society is Beatrice. Where a woman was seen and not heard; she was very outspoken and often spoke without caution. Women of that time were to be married; beatrice wanted nothing to do with marriage and falling in love. The male character of Much ado about Nothing which went against this definition is Claudio. Claudio did not show any leadership qualities what so ever. A man was to be bold and aggressive-- aggressive in the sense of going after what he wanted on his very own. He made himself prisoner to his minor insecurities. For example, because he was shy and timid, Don had to be the one to woo Hero for him. This is not the characteristics of a good leader.

Much Ado about Nothing: quotes and their questions pt. 1

"The savage bull may, but if ever... you may use Benedick the married man."

1- The speaker: Benedick.

2- The dramatic significance: the significance of this line is reflected upon Benedick's disregard for marriage and the idea of him falling in love. The comparison of him to a bull shows that if he were to ever be married he was basically to made a fool for everyone to see by plucking off a bull's horns and placing them on his head along with him being painted vilely. Most obviously this is impossible so as to his belief that he will never marry.

3- meaning of the line: The meaning of the lines by Benedick is him showing how strongly he believer that he will never marry or fall in love. To Benedick it will not occur.


"What should I do with him... Am not with him."

1- The speaker: Beatrice.

2- The dramatic significance: Jus as Benedick has allowed himself to believe, Beatrice also continues to persuade herself that she will never fall in love. On the other hand, she does not want to be single all her life but in her eyes, there is not a man who fits her taste, anyone who is of her interest or desire. Beatrice is a woman of independence, a woman who stands on her own two feet. Through out the book, her belief turns out to be ironice. Ironice to the point where she falls in love with Benedick.

3- The meaning of the line: Beatrice's meaning of the line is that she seems it is very difficult to find a suitable man. She goes on to say, that she has no use for a man who lacks a beared since he is a boy and would not be fit for her. In order for her to have that man she would have to dress him in her apparels and refer to him as her gentlewoman. As for a man that is more than a boy he cannont be the one for her.

Titles are significant... My thoughts upon the title, Much Ado about Nothing

The title of any book usually gives its readers the idea of what its content may be. The Shakespearan novel, Much Ado about Nothing is based upon the major characters' minor conflicts and disagreements. These characters who consider themselves of the upper class society have taken time out of their busy schedules to bicker about each other's personality flaws, and secret infatuations. This seems to be quite ironic due to the fact that their country is at war. Most obviously, their main interest of concern should be focused on Don Peter, a soldier who was fighting in the war and close relations to most of the characters.
Much Ado about Nothing is a very ironic title. It tends to allow the reader to acknowledge the book from a totally different point of view.

The Life And times Of William Shakespeare

THE LIFE AND TIME OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

For decades, William Shakespeare has been considered as one of the best playwrights and dramatists of our time. During his lifetime, Shakespeare has spent his time touching the hearts of many of his readers and the people around him.
William Shakespeare was born on April 26th, 1564 in Stratford, Avon to parents, John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. He was the 3rd child and the eldest son of the couple. During his childhood, young Shakespeare enrolled into Stratford Grammar School for children from ages 6-13. There, he developed a great liking for reading and learning. He excelled in Latin and English during his time there. Shakespeare was most certainly a well rounded student, not only focusing on his academics but also in the working area. At some point in his childhood he worked for a butcher.
At age 18, Shakespeare fell in love. In 1582, he married Anne Hathaway who was 8 years his senior. Later on they had 3 children, Susana the eldest in 1583 and Hamnet and Juliet who were twins in 1585. Sadly, Hamnet passed away in 1596.
His Career immediately began from 1585 and 1592 where in London he practiced poetry, acting and playwright. Throughout his career he wrote mainly comedies, tragedies, histories, romances and much more. Overall, he wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems and various poems. From 1585 to 1592, Shakespeare took time off to acquire his skills as an actor and a playwright. This breaking period was known as his “lost years”.
All good things must come to an end just as the life as William Shakespeare. On April 23rd, 1616 he died. After his death 14 of his plays were published with Quartro Books.
William Shakespeare will live on through his plays throughout the test of time.

To me, so far, the novel, Brother Man has turned out to be a story of the utmost interest. The book first begins with the lines, " The tongues in the lane clack-clack... tow-faced scale, waiting for change" gives the reader the idea that the story scene was based on life in Jamaica, the people's gossips and the good and hard times of the country.
Some characters found in the book were Bra' Man, Minette, Jesmina, Cordelia, Papasita and Girlie.The novel focuses it self on Jesmina, Cordelia, Bra' Man, Papasita and Girlie, such characters living in the community. In the community, Bra' Man is recognized as "the good Samaritan" due to the way he portrays himself. He is a man of "peace and love", the line which is used by him to greet his loved ones. Bra' Man sets out on helping others and bringing them the good news.
On The other hand, Minette who Bra' Man considers as his daughter, has developed, what could be called a crush or a strong liking for him. She believes that she somewhat 'owes' Bra' Man for all that he has done for her, i.e. taking her in and caring for her.
Papasita, a man of cruelty and covetousness shares a relationship with Girlie, a woman who is very outspoken. They have an up and down relationship since they often argue, fight and degrade each other. Deep down they truly love each other and at the end of the day, they learn to live as man and wife.
Finally, Cordelia faces a major turmoil with her spouse, Jonas being arrested and her son being severely ill. Cordy feels a sense of abandonment from those she know and care about. This situation now puts a strain on Jesmina since she is left to not only be a sisterly support to Cordy but also she is in deep fear of leaving her sister because of her findings of Cordy's use of Obeah.

Reflection

The novel, Brother Man is a story which is situated in Jamaica. The characters of this book play a very important role in portraying the everyday lives of the people in the Caribbean. One character which is considered to be the “villain” is Papacita. He is a man of cruelty and arrogance who sets out on destroying Brother Man’s personality. Not only is he a SEXIST PIG but also he is an abuser. This is evident on pg. 35, where he and Girlie gets into a physical fight.

However, the “hero” of the novel most obviously is Brother Man. Brother Man is a person who takes his religion seriously. Therefore, he practices what he preaches. He believes in living in peace and harmony and finally he is a tender hearted person.