After studying Lacan’s Mirror theory in
class, we brainstormed a list of questions to ask of our memoirs in order to
apply the mirror & gaze lenses to them. Share your top two questions. Make
sure to read through all of the comments before you post so that you do not
repeat questions. For your 2 comments, your job is to help each other refine
the questions we plan to ask of our memoirs.
Examples:
- Which behaviors of the characters are conscious
ones? Which are unconscious?
- What conscious or unconscious conflicts exist
between the characters?
- Are the theories of Lacan applicable to this
work? To what degree?
The book that I am doing is Push: Novel by Sapphire. The 2 questions that I have are
ReplyDeleteAre precious actions mirroring the abusive and poor environment she is placed in? : In the book, she has to steal a bucket of fried chicken because she is dirt poor. She is also unable to get a job because she doesn't have the proper education.
Does the way Precious View herself, shape the way people view her?: In the chapters that I read, She would always view herself as a hopeless obese girl who could do nothing. Do the people she encounter in the book really view her as this?
I think the way she views herself may lead her to think that people view her a certain way, although they may not actually.
DeleteI really like your second question because it emphasizes what I want to call the "trickle down" effect. The way that we view ourselves inwardly almost always reflects how we are perceived outwardly. If Precious realized that she was more than her weight, more than her mother's harsh words and more than her hopelessness than she would be treated as such. We should always remember that we as individuals always have the power to elevate ourselves, or dig ourselves deeper into a hole of pity and misery. Once she accepts herself for who she is, flaws and all, people will view her in a positive light because that is the way that she shapes herself to be.
DeleteI think how one views themselves will almost always be different from how another person views them as a person for the fact that people are completely different with different experiences. (answering your second qs)
DeleteI believe that in a sense the public may have an influence on the way Precious views herself. This may be because she would want to fit into society. However, this is not always true. Many people may have a different lens as to how they view her. It can vary from positive or negative perspectives.
DeleteI will be reading Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan. My two questions are:
ReplyDeleteHow is Susannah's story almost the exact opposite of Lacan's theory? How is she in essence working "backwards"?
Will she ever really be able to completely discover her "self"? As she goes on a journey of self discovery she will only be able to understand herself through the lens of which other people viewed her. I think it's important to remember that just because she's portrayed herself a certain way in front of others doesn't mean that that is a way that she truly acts or feels internally.
I like your second question, it is really well structured and seems pretty interesting.
DeleteWhen trying to discover ourselves I think it is very difficult. Many adults still haven't quite found 'themselves.' Starting from scratch and trying to discover herself I think it will be extremely difficult because throughout her day she will encounter many people that will influence her thoughts one way or the other.
DeleteI am also asking myself the same question for my memoir, like what did they gain from this. I like your question.
DeleteSusannah's story is the opposite because before the incident Susannah had already gone through the steps that Lacan's theory presents so having people already know who you are, but you yourself not knowing who you are results in Susannah having to take the steps backwards in hopes to fully regain her lost memory of herself and her life.
DeleteI'm reading Night by Ellie Wiesel and my questions are:
ReplyDelete1. What kind of "relationship" does Ellie have when he "gazes" into the eyes of soldiers in his came and with the rest of the people he stays with?
2. Lacan's theory says that we exist for one another. Does Ellie in his harsh condition look out for the others he is with in his came or does he just try to go on with just his family?
On a side note, the Gaze theory says that looking some in the eye is basically building a relationship and I look at a lot of girls in the train so I have been in a lot of relationships.
DeleteI believe Lancan is trying to say that if one gazes into one's eyes long enough, they create a relationship. Yes, you can look at many girls on the train, but do they look back? Matter of fact, does she gaze back? If so, then you've created a type of "bond" I guess. I don't know exactly what to call it.
DeleteI think the whenever we 'gaze' into someone eyes we develop a different relationship. Just like none of us are the same, the relationships we create aren't either. Environment factors, personalities, etc are thought about when we create relationships with different people. Even with the 5 sec glance we may have on the street.
DeleteI think Ellie may feel sort of helpless because he sees himself as an object in control of the soldier.
DeleteI agree with Jessica, when we "gaze" into someones eyes we build some sort of relationship with that person even if it's for a certain amount of time you still had some sort of relationship.
DeleteI think its interesting to ask how far one is willing to go to help other people, and what drives them to do so. Interesting question.
DeleteI like how you used "gaze" as a sort or left up to interpretation
DeleteI agree with Jessica and Laura. When one locks eyes with another it indicates that one is creating a different kind of relationship with one another. Maybe when Ellie gazes into the eyes of the soldiers he begins to realize the difficulties and the experiences these soldiers had encountered were similar to some of the experiences he had encountered himself.
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ReplyDeleteGoing off Script - by Giuliana Rancic
ReplyDelete1. What is the psychological state of the characters (Guiliana)?
2. In the book it mentions that Giuliana was a bad child when she was younger but now she is well known and lives a Hollywood life. Through her struggles in her childhood and fighting cancer, what aspect in her life made her change her ways?
What do you mean by psychological state? Can you be more specific?
DeleteHer mental condition since the main character (Giuliana) had a tough childhood and is currently fighting cancer.
DeleteIt's good to know what kind of factors help the author change her ways and it'll be better to know would her ways be any different had she not went through struggles.
DeleteIts interesting to see why people make drastic changes in their mentality, as well as the challenges that arise either as a result or unrelatedly. Good question!
DeleteDo you think her cancer diagnosis may humble her from her Hollywood life?
DeleteYour questions are very interesting. However, I think you should not only change your first question to be more specific, but you should also connect it to Lacan's theory and ask how does her psychological state affect her identity and her interactions with the identity of others?
DeleteI am reading the book 'Going Off Script' by Giuliana Rancic. My two questions are:
ReplyDeleteDid Giuliana's process of thinking due to breast cancer and infertility push her career in a better direction?
How might Giuliana's childhood mirror her career if it was altered completely? Being brought up as an immigrant, getting diagnosed with breast cancer then later having trouble with fertility, Giuliana experienced a rough state of mind. Would her career have been easier if she was on a higher ranking scale? Even lower?
I feel as if being diagnosed with breast cancer motivated Giuliana and the ability to achieve greatness in her career. It sounds like an interesting work.
DeleteIn response to your first question, I think that something as traumatic as sickness can definitely change someone's views on life and even their own careers.
ReplyDeleteI guess that's where Lacan's theory get's a little bit tricky. People are not only influenced by the thought of being watched by others, but also by other,more personal, experiences. She may act a different way now (maybe more confident or outgoing) than she possibly would've if she didn't survive her illness.
I'm reading Orange is the New Black : My Year in a Women's Prison by Piper Kerman, and my two questions are:
ReplyDelete1. What were the factors that influenced Kerman to change from the young reckless women she was when she was in the drug trafficking world? Did she never think her past was eventually going to catch up with her?
2. Kerman emphasizes that the person she is today gives no trace of her past life and it doesn't resemble the person she once was , but does her past somehow mirror her future? Do both her past and present indiscreetly relate ?
I like your questions because it's important to think of the consequences before doing things.
DeleteVictoria H. Your question referencing Kerman are profound ones. Those questions came to mind as well. "Does her past somehow mirror her future" is an idea that is controversial to our understanding of whether someone will always be the same person. Can an individual change their future or are they sucked into a never-ending maze of their past?
DeleteI'm reading Push: Novel by Sapphire
ReplyDelete1' Could Claireece's teenage years be a reflection of her mothers adult years?
2' Could self image play a role in potential unconscious decisions throughout the novel?
I like this question because (1st) because it makes me think to what extent is precious abusive?
DeleteI'm reading Orange is the new black by Piper Kerman.
ReplyDelete1. If the time she spent in prison mirror her past life in the drug trafficking world?
2. If the people she met in prison help her reflect on what she has done?
I am reading the book "Going Off Script" by Giuliana Rancic. My two questions are:
ReplyDelete1. How did writing this memoir shape your carrer pros and cons?
2. Were you (Guiliana) able to discover yourself through the battles you constantly faced with infertility and breast cancer? Like did you notice any changes, did you become weaker, stronger, optimistic, etc.
I like your first question but a good way to also put it can be by asking the benefits/purpose of writing their memoir.
DeleteCAREER ****** sorry
DeleteMy two questions are :
ReplyDelete1. When writing this memoir, was the purpose writing a piece of work to which benefits your readers or writing a piece of work as a way to emotionally relive yourself from certain experiences?
2. To what extent is gazing able to help you build a personality or image of yourself?
I like your first question because it really makes the writer think about the real reason they are expressing all of their feelings in the memoir.
DeleteI like that you question if gazing can help you build your image. I personally believe that it takes more than that.
DeleteI also like your first questions, because like we discussed in class, the writer knows that people will read their memoir so in a way its how the writer is able to let all of their feelings out.
DeleteBook: "Night" by Ellie Wiesel .
ReplyDeleteQuestions:
1. Im pretty sure they don't have mirrors in concentration camps, did you ever lose a sense of identity after not being able to look at yourself for such a long time?
2. Did looking into the eyes of a Nazi soldier ever tell you that he was just a human like you and me, or did you just see a monster within him?
I love how profound your first question is, it really takes the literal and the figurative and puts them together.
DeleteI will be reading Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan. My questions are:
ReplyDelete1) In the case of psychosis, can one form a solid grasp of their identity? While most people can analyze how other people view them, can someone that is defined by irrational behavior truly understand their objectification?
2) If it is true that unconscious mental processes affect how we interact socially, how will the main character react to social stimuli if her unconscious mind is unstable?
I like your questions, they don't only consider Susannah and her condition but can also be something readers can ask themselves. It questions identity within more broader terms and not just within those found under similar conditions as Susannah. Irrational behavior can define a number of different behaviors to which one might term irrational while the other might not, and so if I consider myself to be rational while others portray be to be irrational, I as a reader might question how that might affect my interactions with this opposing social stimulus.
DeleteI am reading "6 Minutes Wrestling With Life: A Family's Tragedy to Triumph" by JohnA Passaro.
ReplyDelete1) Has the Protagonist ever felt like stopping because there were future obstacles to overcome and people were constantly bringing him down so did this hinder his ability to continue?
2) According to Passaro's inspirational work, did the wrestling truly interfere with the Protagonist's relationship with his family and friends? Are all psychological stages mentally going to help succeed in the end or will the pressure just get to him and cause him to crack.
Well stated Almas! Your two questions are intrinsic to our understanding whether individuals are able to push beyond barriers and obstacles that confine them. But, by pushing over his limits, does that make him a better person at the end or did he lose something precious in the long run?
DeleteI don't know, that is what I want to know when I finish reading this book! I hope his hard work pays off in the near future.
DeleteI don't know, that is what I want to know when I finish reading this book! I hope his hard work pays off in the near future.
DeleteBook : Push by Sapphire
ReplyDeleteHow exactly does Clarieece's insecurity about herself correlate to the way she treats other people?
Does Precious solely exist for the tension between her father and mother?
Book: 6 Minutes Wrestling With Life: A Family's Tragedy To Triumph
ReplyDelete1. Was writing this memoir a desire to inspire the reader with the wrestling aspect or just to let out all the emotions that were killing you inside?
2. Did experiencing such a harsh time in the hospital reflect how hard you worked on achieving your wrestling goal?
I like that you are focusing on the obstacles that your character has faced and how that character has been influenced by them.
DeleteI like that you talked about the inspirations of writing the memoir.
DeleteI will be reading "Undocumented" by Dan-el Padilla Peralta. My questions are:
ReplyDelete1. How has his accomplishments mirrored his past struggles to be where he is now?
2. How has his obstacles shaped the way he sees himself and others? Has it made him the man he is today?
I like how you are question on how the author faced obstacles throughout his life. I think you should also question how he overcame them.
DeleteIm reading Undocumented by Dan-el Padilla Peralta.
ReplyDelete1) Did Dan-el write this to explore himself in the mirror or other? :]
2) Whats the purposes of memoirs?
You're second question is very vague. Explain more in context to the story.
DeleteI will be reading Orange Is The New Black by Piper Kerman and my two questions are:
ReplyDelete1. Does the experience of Piper in the female prison change how people view criminals and even women?
2. Does the way she identifies herself change based on how the officers disregard her past and if so is she realizing it or is it unconscious.
I like how in your first question involves the general view of many in society of those in prison.
DeleteI am reading Brain On Fire by Susannah Cahalan
ReplyDelete1) Since Susannah is writing her memoir based off of what people think and have known her as before the incident, does this mean that her memoir is not really reliable because she is going off of different opinions, and without a view of her own?
2) Brain on Fire is divided into three parts and fifty-three chapters. Why is this structure important and what is she trying to convey to her audience?
I'm reading Brain On Fire by Susannah Cahalan. My two questions are:
ReplyDelete1) Would the author's loss of "self", indicate that in her recover she might never be able to contain the same sense of identity as she did before? Your memories are your experiences, and your experiences in life is formed by the interaction of your environment with your genetic identity. Susannah's environment has changed drastically, with no recollection of her past environment, would that indicate that the previously known Susannah has vanished along with her past?
2) Why would the author share her story? What message/s might she be attempting to convey to her target audience in terms of identity and the importance of self?
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ReplyDeleteThe book I will be reading in my lit circle is called Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan. The two questions I would like to address are . . .
ReplyDelete1) What is the significance that the author is trying to portray about the narrator's identity? How does her past shape her future?
2) Why is the book titles Brain on Fire? Does this hold significant meaning to her identity in the book? Does the title capture the central message the author is trying to portray about the narrator?
I am reading Undocumented by Dan-el Padilla Peralta.
ReplyDeleteMy questions are
1. Has being a successful immigrant altered your mirror?
2. To what extent did you struggle in adapting?
-Darwin Peña
I like these questions because they're very straightforward but can carry so much meaning depending on what kind of psychological state the character is under.
DeleteI'm reading Brain On Fire by Susannah Cahalan. My two questions are:
ReplyDeleteIt possible for someone that has lost her memory like Susannah Cahalan to find their own image without anyone else's input?
Can you fully lose the sense of knowing oneself completely or can there still be a glimpse of you from before you started to lose your memory?
-Christopher Louis
Im reading Undocumented by Dan-el Padilla Peralta and my two questions are:
ReplyDelete1. What are the psychological states of the characters being new immigrants in the country and in a constant state of fear of being discovered over the smallest incidents?
2. Does your mirror change when you no longer face the struggles of being an unsuccessful immigrant?
I am going to be reading "Orange is the New Black" by Piper Kerman
ReplyDelete1. The protagonist gets out of jail. Furthermore, she did wrongs but Can an individual change their future or are they sucked into a never-ending maze of their past?
2. Will Kerman be able to identify the controversial issue dealing with the fact that many women are locked up and behind bars and what does occur in Jail to these women?