In response to a comment about the L.S.D during the Salem witch hunts.:

     The drug was not used; the population of Salem was victim to it. Every x number of years historians have seen a growth of the mold on wheat. When they traced it back, the witch hunts took place during a time when there was a growth of the mold. Because the people of the 1600 did not have any knowledge of LSD they had no explanation for what was happening to them except for witches.
     I think it was KQED that had a special on it several years ago.

Young Goodman Brown

       Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne was an interesting story that reflected some of old Salem.  Even though it did not take place during the 1600's, the story contained many of the same traits of the Salem witch hunts.  At the time of the witch hunts, the grain in Salem was known to have grown a mold that produces L.S.D. This has explained many of the happenings during the witch hunts.  In the Young Goodman Brown story the descriptions of Goodman Browns night in the forest resembles L.S.D. hallucinations.  Even though Hawthorne had no way of knowing about the L.S.D. he was able to describe the hallucinations very well. He probably based his story on his knowledge of the witch hunts, and may have even believed the hallucinations to have been reality based.

revised "The Flowers"

Kelly Fawcett

3-22-11

Page 1

Instructor Stacy Knapp
English 1b
Gender Criticism

THE FLOWERS

By Dagoberto Gilb

......... It is ironic that in this decade there are people who view women as the underdogs, unable to care for themselves, and even helpless. Men have no idea how smart women are. They can waltz through life having doors opened and bills paid because they look pretty and can produce children. I have lived on both sides of the feminist vista point, and I prefer being cared for. I have done the hippy thing, been in a bad marriage, then moved on to support two children while I went to school full time and worked six to twelve hours a day. I can take care of myself and my family on my own. In contrast, sharing the responsibilities with someone else, who thinks I am wonderful, makes life far more enjoyable. From a Reader Response perspective critically analyzing feminism in the novel The Flowers by Dagoberto Gilb, the modern feminists have become too extreme in their quest for a higher education and higher paying jobs. They have jeopardized some of the feminine leverage that women have utilized since the story of Adam and Eve.
.
……. In the book Sylvia, the mother of the protagonist may be considered a helpless little Hispanic woman. In contrast, I do not view her in that light. Women have been able to cajole men into take care of them for thousands of years, and Sylvia was no exception. She was very capable of using her attributes to get a lifestyle that allowed her to do the things she enjoyed. The women in the pornography magazines belonging to Sonny, the protagonist, manipulate men. It is not the paper in the magazines that is making money; more specifically it is the women who know how to entice men to the point of forgetting all except sexual drive. With far less effort than the pornography models, Sylvia was able to have a nice home, a car, and the funds to support her shopping habit. She even had a son that loved and admired her, and it was not because he got daily gourmet meals, or a caring conversation every day. However, he did seem to have a real appreciation for her well kept appearance.
.
.......With little scholastic drive Sylvia was able to influence Sonny's education with a minimal amount of effort. She was not interested in investing her time in his education. However, she was entertained by his interest in learning the French language and her charm seemed to motivate him. When Sonny told Sylvia, "J'aime la pizza, [love the pizza]" (152), he tells us, "She laughed...I liked that she laughed, because it proved French was funny and not only to me" (152). This laughter coupled with endearing conversation and physical charm seemed to be influence enough to encourage him to continue his study of French.
.
........ In the past, Sylvia had been able to create a bond with her son that was based on her appearance, rather than interaction. Sonny described her as being "...around for maybe an hour or two, and she'd either change clothes and leave or be so tired she went into her bedroom and went to sleep"(6). She took little interest in his likes; as a result when she introduced him to her new husband, Cloyd, she fished for her son's interests by making the conjecture, “Maybe he likes baseball…I think that’s his favorite."(12). It was as if she were introducing a child she had never met. Yet, in contrast, Sonny was grateful for any little crumb she dropped for him, even when he was able to sneak a few chips, and as a result she gave him several dollars and sent him somewhere else to eat, rather than take the opportunity to have a meal with him. Sylvia had been so successful at presenting herself as a show piece that Sonny did not question her lack of parenting interest.
.
. .......A well kept appearance is a strength that has been under rated and at times discarded by modern feminists. I believe that appearance is probably a woman’s most valuable asset when interacting with men. In the book, Sonny loved to see Sylvia’s hands when she had her nails done and noticed when she had bought a new dress, even the way she smelled. I was amazed that a young boy would notice as much detail as is described in the book, when he said, "It seemed to me she was wearing another new dress, and she was smelling washed and bath-oiled and lotioned and misted, and the high heels were glossier and redder than her lipstick.[sic]"(76). Her looks helped her to influence Sonny to lie and keep secrets for her, regarding her lack of time spent on domestic obligations and the time spent out of the house for personal interests. Sylvia’s investment of time and money in shopping and primping is a small price to pay for those deceptions. In many species the males use bright colors and plumage to entice prospective mates. However, in humans women have the advantage. For centuries women have cherished painting, dying, and refining their attire to become more appealing. Now thanks to the feminist movement, women can also choose their own mates. Furthermore, males in all species have a strong positive reaction to an attractive female. Consequently, this simplifies negotiation with men for women.
.
......... Sex appeal being a huge asset, Sylvia used it to purchase another opportunity to improve her fashion of living, when she remarried. Cloyd believed he had been responsible for their relationship. He told his friend, Bud, "I love to eat them tacos, and now I even got myself [sic] married to a pretty little Mexican gal" (51). It is audacious to believe that he manipulated her in to marring him. I would be inclined to believe there are more "Mexican gals" with children living near poverty, than men that make a decent living and want to marry them. This makes it more likely that Sylvia had to entice Cloyd to get his attention, otherwise he would have interviewed for cooking skills, rather than making his choice based on looks and a generic reputation for Hispanic women.
.
. .......Women have a saying that, "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach," and have used this bond men have with food to their advantage, often portraying themselves as slaving to present meals, heightening their counterparts appreciation. In the same manner, Sylvia deceived Cloyd when she served him commercially prepared food. Cloyd was completely oblivious that the authentic Mexican food he had married Sylvia for came from cans. Behind Cloyd's back she told Sonny, "He doesn't even know I buy este chile at the grocery store…he thinks I make it…" (51) and then she was able to sway Sonny to conceal her secret. Consequently, Cloyd was appreciative that she devoted her time and skill to prepare wonderful meals. Like most men Cloyd was easily controlled by his stomach, and his stomach was controlled by Sylvia.
.
.......Sylvia's manipulative skills enabled her to easily influence Cloyd when she was inclined to. In a conversation with Sonny she asked him if he needed a new television. Then asked, "You want me to make him [Cloyd] get you a better one?" (73). She was so casual with her control over men, and her ability to make them do things, that the reader nearly takes it for granted. Cloyd was blinded by his lust for Sylvia at the beginning of their marriage, and he appeared to be groveling when he promised "something big" to Sonny, and again when he offered a desk for his room. The relationship between Cloyd and Sonny was not comfortable, yet Cloyd went outside of his comfort zone to appear more desirable to Sylvia. Women's ability to manipulate men has advanced them from being kept in a mud hut to being cherished and cared for in a comfortable home.
.
. .......An example of the balance between manipulation and inducing resentment is Sylvia’s ability to recognize when Cloyd may have gone beyond his comfort zone. Thus, when Cloyd’s promise for "something big" became a trip to Notre Dame Sylvia attempted to influence Sonny to relinquish the idea and fend off any resentment on Cloyd's part, as a result of being taken advantage of in a vulnerable state. This was an advantageous skill for Sylvia that allowed her to maintain peace with in her home. In addition, by manipulating events in their home, Sylvia was able to control Cloyd's topics for argument. When a crisis arose about her time that was unaccounted for, Cloyd took a position on a subject as trivial as toilet paper usage. Sylvia let him rage about it, but later laughed behind his back. She had chosen the subject that he was in control of and was able to convey the allusion that he was dominating her.
.
........Knowing when to speak and how to speak is a skill that is taught throughout educational institutes and in job training programs. However, wives and mothers have refined and handed down the skill for generations. As an example, Sylvia could silently listen while Cloyd unleashes his racism to a tenant. In her defense, even though his comments were degrading, she politely stated, "I don’t think we shouldn't be talking about this…Can we please not? For me and Mary [sic]?"(53). If she had injected her honest disapproval of the conversation it would not have been as effective. In contrast, she was able to coax Sonny to lie with a few skillfully used enduring comments. The effectiveness of this is most apparent when Sylvia was caught off guard in a conversation about Notre Dame and failed to utilize her persuasive skills. She asked Sonny, "...what are you talking about?"(153) conveying her disapproval. Sonny had a negative responds and became defensive with her, which was rare. Sylvia had been able to prevent conflict with him most of the time with pleasant verbiage.
.
.......I admire Sylvia’s ability to refine feminine manipulation to a fine art. My generation has fought for women’s rights throughout my life, and as a result I now see my comrades in a lesser light. They have traded the natural feminine skills that Sylvia had for well paying jobs, prestigious homes, stress, and children that are misbehaved and unmotivated. Moreover, women simply went to far and gave up some of what was simplifying their lives. Men never asked to change jobs, even though their life span in the past has been an average of ten years shorter than women, resulting from stress. Consequently, when millions of women walked away from their domestic jobs, it left the positions unfilled or inadequately filled. I am not saying that women should not work and just stay home to serve their families. Women have come a long way and should be proud of what has been accomplished, but they need to take more responsibility for natural female duties. Every other animal on this planet knows the importance of their roles in families, and if they fly away from a nest because they are tired of sitting on the eggs, their species will die off. Likewise, if women are less focused on the fight to live like men, and more focused on family, then we can improve the family structure, go back to our living men, and have them treat us like goddesses on occasion. Women can use some of the talents that Sylvia utilizes to make life less stressful and more enjoyable. After all, once women have proven their point and gotten what is deserved, it is best to apply what has been learned to persuade men to make a compromise that will fulfill the need for equality and support a healthy family life.

revised draft "The Flowers"

Kelly Fawcett

3-22-11

Page 1

Instructor Stacy Knapp
English 1b
Gender Criticism

THE FLOWERS

By Dagoberto Gilb

......... It is a ironic that in this decade there are people that view women  as the underdogs, unable to care for themselves, and even helpless. Men have no idea how smart women are. They can waltz through life having doors opened and bills paid because they look pretty and can produce children. I have lived on both sides of the feminist vista point, and I prefer being cared for. I have done the hippy thing, been in a bad marriage, then moved on to support two children while I went to school full time and worked six to twelve hours a day. I can take care of myself and my family on my own. In contrast, sharing the responsibilities with someone else who thinks I am wonderful makes life far more enjoyable. From a Reader Response perspective critically analyzing feminism in the novel The Flowers by Dagoberto Gilb, the modern feminists have become too extreme in their quest for a higher education and higher paying jobs. They have jeopardized some of the feminine leverage that women have utilized since the story of Adam and Eve.

……. In the book Sylvia, the mother of the protagonist may be considered a helpless little Hispanic woman. In contrast, I do not view her in that light. Women have been able to cajole men into take care of them for thousands of years, and Sylvia was no exception. She was very capable of using her attributes to get a lifestyle that allowed her to do the things she enjoyed. The women in the pornography magazines belonging to Sonny, the protagonis,  manipulate men. It is not the paper in the magazines that is making money, more specifically it is the women who know how to entice men to the point of forgetting all except sexual drive. With far less effort than the pornography models, Sylvia was able to have a nice home, a car, and the funds to support her shopping habit. She even had a son that loved and admired her, and it was not because he got daily gourmet meals, or a caring conversation everyday. However, he did seem to have a real appreciation for her well kept appearance.


. .......With little scholastic drive Sylvia was able to influence Sonny's education with a minimal amount of effort. She was not interested in investing her time in his education. However, she was entertained by his interest in learning the French language and her charm seemed to motivates him.  When Sonny told Sylvia, "J'aime la pizza, [love the pizza]” (152), he tells us, "She laughed...I liked that she laughed, because it proved French was funny and not only to me" (152). This laughter coupled with endearing conversation and physical charm seemed to be influence enough to encourage him to continue his study of French.
.
........ In the past, Sylvia had been able to create a bond with her son that was based on her appearance, rather than interaction.  Sonny described her as being "...around for maybe an hour or two, and she'd either change clothes and leave or be so tired she went into her bedroom and went to sleep"(6). She took little interest in his likes; as a result when she introduced him to her new husband, Cloyd, she fished for her son's interests by making the conjecture, “ Maybe he likes baseball…I think that’s his favorite.”(12). It is as if she were  introducing a child she had never met. Yet, in contrast, Sonny was grateful for any little crumb she drops for him, even when he was able to sneak a few chips, and as a result she gave him several dollars and sent him somewhere else to eat, rather than take time to have a meal with him. Sylvia had done such a good job of presenting herself as a show piece that Sonny did not question her lack of parenting interest.

.
. .......A well kept appearance is a strength that has been under rated and at times discarded by modern feminists. I believe that appearance is probably a woman’s most valuable asset when interacting with men. In the book, Sonny loved to see Sylvia’s hands when she had her nails done, and noticed when she had bought a new dress, even the way she smelld. I was amazed that a young boy would notice as much detail as is described in the book, when he said, "It seemed to me she was wearing another new dress, and she was smelling washed and bath-oiled and lotioned and misted, and the high heels were glossier and redder than her lipstick."(76). Her looks helped her to influence Sonny to lie and keep secrets for her, regarding her lack of time spent cooking and the time spent out of the house for personal interests. Sylvia’s investment of time and money in shopping and primping is a small price to pay for those deceptions. In many species the males use bright colors and plumage to entice prospective mates. However, in humans women have the advantage. For centuries women have charished painted, dyed, and refining their attire to become more appealing. Now thanks to the feminist movement, women can also choose their own mates. Furthermore, males in all species have a strong positive reaction to an attractive female. Consequently, this simplifies negotiation with men for women.


......... Sex appeal being a huge asset, Sylvia used it to purchase another opportunity to improve her fashion of living, when she remarried. Cloyd believed he had been responsible for their relationship. He told his friend, Bud, “I love to eat them tacos, and now I even got myself [sic] married to a pretty little Mexican gal” (51). It is audacious to believe that he manipulated her in to marring him. I would be inclined to believe there are more "Mexican gals" with children living near poverty, than men that make a decent living and want to marry them. This makes it more likely that Sylvia had to entice Cloyd to get his attention, otherwise he would have interviewed for cooking skills, rather than making his choice based on looks and a generic reputation for Hispanic women.
.
. .......Women have a saying that, "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach," and have used this bond men have with food to their advantage, often portraying themselves as slaving to present meals, heightening their counterparts appreciation. In the same manner, Sylvia deceived Cloyd when she served him commercially prepared food. Cloyd was completely oblivious that the authentic Mexican food he married Sylvia for came from  cans. Behind Cloyd's back she told Sonny, “He doesn’t even know I buy este chile at the grocery store…he thinks I make it…” (51) and then she was able to sway Sonny to conceal her secret. Consequently, Cloyd was appreciative that she devoted her time and skill to prepare wonderful meals. Like most men Cloyd was easily controlled by his stomach, and his stomach was controlled by Sylvia.

.
. .......Sylvia's manipulative skills enabled her to easily influence Cloyd when she was inclined to. In a conversation with Sonny she asked him if he needed a new television.  Then asked, “You want me to make him [Cloyd] get you a better one?” (73). She was so casual about the control she had over men, to make them do things, that the reader nearly takes it for granted. Cloyd was blinded by his lust for Sylvia at the start of their marriage, and he appeard to be groveling when he promised "something big" to Sonny, and again when he offerd a desk for his room. The relationship between Cloyd and Sonny was not comfortable, yet Cloyd went outside of his comfort zone to appear more desirable for Sylvia. Women's ability to manipulate men has advanced them form being kept in a mud hut to being cherished and cared for in a comfortable home.

. .......An example of the balance between manipulation and inducing resentment is, Sylvia’s ability to recognize when Cloyd may have gone beyond his comfort zone. Thus, when Cloyd’s promise for "something big" became a trip to Notre Dame Sylvia attempted to influence Sonny to relinquish the idea and fend off any resentment on Cloyd's part, as a result of being taken advantage of when he was vulnerable. This skill was an  advantage for Sylvia that allowed her to maintain peace with in the home. In addition, by manipulating events in their home, Sylvia was able to control Cloyd's topics for argument. When a crisis arose about her time that was unaccounted for, Cloyd took a position on a subject as trivial as toilet paper usage. Sylvia let him rage about it, but later lauged behind his back. She had chosen the subject that he was in control of and was able to convey the allusion that he was dominate over her.


........Knowing when to speak and how to speak is a skill that is taught through out educational institutes and in job training programs. However, wives and mothers have refined and handed down the skill for generations. As an example, Sylvia could silently listen while Cloyd unleashes his racism to a tenant. In her defense, even though his comments were degrading, she politely stated, “I don’t think we shouldn't be talking about this…Can we please not? For me and Mary [sic]?”(53).  If she had injected her honest disapproval of the confersation it would not have been as effective.  In contrast, she was able to coax Sonny to lie with a few skillfully used enduring comments. The effectiveness of this is most apparent when Sylvia was caught off guard in a conversation about Notre Dame and faild to utilize her persuasive skills. She told Sonny, “...what are you talking about?”(153) conveying her disapproval. Sonny had a negative responds and became defensive with her, which was rare. Sylvia had been able to prevent conflict with him most of the time with pleasant verbiage.

 . .......I admire Sylvia’s ability to refine feminine manipulation to a fine art. My generation has fought for women’s rights through out my life, and  as a result I now see my comrades in a lesser light. They have traded the natural feminine skills that Sylvia had for well paying jobs, nice homes, stress, and children that are misbehaved and unmotivated. Moreover, women simply went to far and gave up some of what was simplifing their lives. Men never asked to change jobs, even though their life span in the past has been an average of ten years shorter than women, resulting from stress. Consequently, when millions of women walked away from their domestic jobs, it left the position unfilled or inadequately filled. I am not saying that women should not work and just stay home to serve their families. Women have come a long way and should be proud of what has been accomplished, but they need to take more responsibility for natural female duties. Every other animal on this planet knows the importance of their roles in families, and if they fly away from a nest because they are tired of sitting on the eggs, their species will die off. If women are less focused on the fight to live like men, and more focused on family, then we can improve the family structure, go back to out living men, and have them treat us like goddesses on occasion. Women can use some of the talents that Sylvia utilizes to make life less stressful and more enjoyable. After all, once women have proven their point and gotten what is deserved, it is best to apply what has been learned to pursuade men to make a compromise that will fulfill the need for equality and support a healthy family life.

immitation

leave me alone
don't bug me
make me some dinner
pick me up from school
find my shoes
wash my p.e. clothes
pick me up at 3:15
buy me a snack after school
take me to karate
come to my meeting at church
sign my papers
check my homework
help me plant a garden
take me camping with my friends
don't take me cloths shopping I hate it
find my hairbrush



go to the bank
make meat for dinner
wash the potatoes
go shopping
wash the dishes
don't loose my sox
change the channel
turn on the fan in the bathroom while you shower
don't leave your shoes in the livingroom
feed the dog
make out a bill for this job I just finished
take the dog to the vet
get food for the chickens and horses

cridical analysis of "the Story of An Hour" by Kate Chopin

“The Story of An Hour”

Kate Chopin (1894)

………The Meek and frail Mrs. Mallard is the point of interest in The Story of An Hour, by Kate Chopin. This nameless woman was newly abandoned by her husband, who was a victim of an accident.  She seemed to be frail, unable to care for herself, and doomed to a life indebted to others. However as the events unravel, she seemed to be finding a more desirable path, that widens as she travels it. As a blossoming feminist she began to put her thoughts and goals in order, and makes the final and ultimate feministic sacrifice.

………Mrs. Mallard’s response to her sister Josephine, an apprehensive carrier of new about the untimely death of Bently Mallard, was foreshadowing to the upcoming events. She embraced the news instantly experiencing the grief and abandonment. Most women’s grief would have been put off by the paralyses of shock. Subsequently, she made a hasty retreat to the isolation of her room, instead of the comfort of her sister’s arms. Her seemingly unnatural response to the news makes way for questions of her contentment in her marriage.

……..In the private setting of her room she fended off the routine that her frail body and the confines of her marriage imposed. The solitude friend that awaited her was a comfortable chair in front of a window that views a world out of her reach. But, when the illness that haunts her body reached up to suck the remaining life from her soul, she pulled strength from the birthing life outside her window. The creatures in the trees and the pureness of the rain filled air breathed hope back in to her young body, and with the restraints of marriage removed she embraced the invitation of the peddler in the street and the calls of the birds.

……..She began to view life as a new opportunity that waits for her to claim it. The clearing clouds, revealed a brighter sky, that invited her to follow the sun to the West, and seemed symbolic of her new beginning. She dismissed the final sobs accompanying the shock that came with the departing of her husband, and then seized the promise of freedom. She could then live life as her own. While reveling in her new found freedom a name was called out, her name, Louise, no longer to be Mrs. Anybody.

……..The freedom gave her a new strength over her physical body. Answering her sisters beckoning, Louise replied to her, “I am not making myself ill”(Kate Chopin 1894 para 16). Her realization allowed her to fanaticize about a future filled with independence and a long life. She had triumphed over her husband and would be able to be ruler over her own life.

……..Ill equipped for feminine independence, Louise asserted her strength a first and final time; Mr. Mallard returned home after unknowingly missing his opportunity with death. Stepping through the front door, he threatens to take back Louise’s new found stalwartness. In a climatic moment Louise took jurisdiction over her own life and ceases her own mortal existence.

'the scarlet letter" (not so bad)

........Hester Prynne has prevailed. I was won over by The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawwthorne. After finishing the account of Hester Prynne, which was a small portion of the book, I have a new appreciation for this piece of literature. Even though it is a very difficult story to get through, I have developed an admiration for Hawthorne. His vivid descriptions bring to mind John Ernst Steinbeck, Jr. writing style, who is one of my favorite authors.

responce notes "Uncle Rock" by Dagoberto Gilb

Uncle Rock
by Dagoberto Gilb


responce  notes:



……In Uncle Rock, by Dagoberto Gilb "American" is mentioned, it is a positive reference to Erick's favorite food. Later it is stated that, "Erick drove a fork into a goopy American egg yolk and bled it into his American potatoes"(1). This later reference sends a threat to his mother, that he does not like the man that is talking to her. As if Erick is saying this may be "America", but I do not want this man around. Through out the rest of the story Erick favors baseball, a very 'American' sport, and makes negative references to Mexico. His vision of Mexico is, "rocks everywhere, and scorpions and tarantulas and rattlesnakes, and vultures and no trees and not much water, and skinny dogs and donkeys, and ugly bad guys"(4). This makes America very appealing in contrast.

Erick's prayers, are a fragmented view of another aspect of his life. Just as his relationship with Albert is.

In the engineer's office Erick is not allowed to touch anything, even though there is nothing that he would want to touch. This restriction seems to carry over to the engineer's home when Erick's mother tells him, "to be well mannered" (3), even though the home does have things that Erick would like to enjoy. Erick shows his rebellion my taking small bites to make them think he does not like the food.

Roque's preference for boxing trajects that he understands the importance of Erick’s interest in baseball. If he did not have a love for a sport he would not have this connection with Erick. Further more it intensifies his gift when he takes Erick and his mother to the baseball game, because Roque does not have a connection with baseball.

The "American eggs and hash browns" and baseball are symbolic of Erick's desire to stay in America. The correlation between the two is Erick loves his 'American eggs" but he stabs them in rebellion when an unwanted guest invites himself to the table, just as he loves baseball but throws the note from the player on the ground when the player propositions Erick's mother.

By the end of the story Erick appears to like Roque and shows it by throwing the baseball players note on the ground, or this may have happened even with out Roque‘s involvment in his mothers life. Roque is considered a favorable preference, when his description includes, "He loved her (Erick's mother) so much—anybody could see his pride when he was with her" (7). The paragraph containing this comment is a turning point in the story, starting with Erick not wanting to move to Roque's home and ending with Roque's love for Erick's mother. attitude was disapproving towards men, to the point that he did not even talk to them. He treated them as if they were not even there. At the end on the first paragraph Gilb states, "He tightened his jaw then, slanted his eyes up from his plate at his mom and not the man, definitely not this man he did not care for" (1' Uncle Rock' by Dagoberto Gilb), conveying that his mothers suitors make him tense and uncomfortable.

The Scarlet Letter

        I have made it to page 39 in The Scarlet Letter , and am less impressed than I have ever been in a book. I have never read a book written by an author that can take an entire paragraph of us less words to tell you something that could have been said in three words. I am board to death and I am only 3 pages in to the story.  I can not even tell you what I have read.

revised draft I welcome any criticism to help me improve it.



THE FLOWERS

By Dagoberto Gilb

......... It is a bit funny to think that women are viewed as the underdogs, unable to care for themselves, and even helpless. Men have no idea how smart women are. They can waltz through life having doors opened and bills paid because they can look pretty and produce children. I have lived on both sides of the feminist vista point, and I prefer being cared for. I have done the hippy thing, been in a bad marriage, then moved on to support two children while I went to school and worked six to twelve hours a day. I can take care of myself and my family on my own, although the truth is, sharing the responsibilities with someone else who thinks I am wonderful makes life a whole lot nicer. In the book The Flowers  by Dagoberto Gilb, Sylvia, the mother of the main character , may be considered as a helpless little Hispanic woman. In contrast,  I do not view her that way. Women have been able to get men to take care of them for thousands of years, and Sylvia is no exception. She is very capable of using her attributes to get a lifestyle that allows her to do the things she enjoys. The women in the pornography magazines belonging to the main character are even manipulating men. It is not the paper in the magazines that is making money, it is the women who know how to entice men and make them forget about everything else. With far less effort than the pornography models, Sylvia is able to have a nice home, a car, and the funds to support her shopping habit. She even has a son that loves her and admires her, and it is not because he gets a daily gourmet meal, or caring conversation everyday.  However,  he does seem to have a real appreciation for her well kept appearance.  From a Reader Response perspective critically analyzing feminism in the novel, the modern feminist has become too extreme in their quest for a higher education and higher paying jobs. They have  jeopardized some of the feminine leverage that women have had since the story of Adam and Eve.
.
. .......With little scholastic drive Sylvia is able to influence her son, Sonny’s education with a minimal amount of effort.  She is not interested in investing her time in his education. However, she is entertained by his interest in learning French and her charm to motivate him . When Sonny tells Sylvia, "J'aime la pizza, [love the pizza]” (152), he tells us, "She laughed...I liked that she laughed, because it proved French was funny and not only to me." (152). This laughter coupled with endearing conversation and physical charm seems to be influence enough to encourage him to continues his study of French.
.
........ In the past, Sylvia has been able to create a bond with her son that is based on her appearance, rather than interaction.  Sonny describes her as  "...around for maybe an hour or two, and she'd either change clothes and leave or be so tired she went into her bedroom and went to sleep"(6). She took little interest in his likes; as a result, when she introduces him to her new husband, Cloyd, she fishes for her son's interests by saying,  “ Maybe he likes baseball…I think that’s his favorite.”(12).  It is as if she were introducing a child she has never met. Yet, in contrast, Sonny is grateful for any little crumb she drops for him, even when he is able to sneak a few chips, and as a result she gives him a several dollars and sends him somewhere else to eat. Sylvia has done such a good job of presenting herself as a show piece that Sonny does not even question her lack of parenting interest.
.
. .......Well kept appearance is a strength that has been under rated and at times discarded by modern feminists. I believe that appearance is probably a woman’s most valuable asset. In the book, Sonny loves to see Sylvia’s hands when she has had her nails done, and notices when she has bought a new dress, even the way she smells. I was amazed that a young boy would notice as much detail as is described on page 76 when he says, "It seemed to me she was wearing another new dress, and she was smelling washed and bath-oiled and lotioned and misted, and the high heels were glossier and redder than her lipstick.".   Her looks help her to influence Sonny to lie for her and keep secrets for her, about her lack of time spent cooking and the time spent out of the house for personal interests. The time and money she spends shopping and primping is a small price to pay for those secrets. Males in all species have a  strong positive reaction to an attractive female, and this makes it easier for women to negotiate with men.
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......... Sex appeal is a huge asset, and Sylvia uses it to purchase another opportunity to improve her fashion of living, when she remarries. Cloyd believes he has been responsible for their relationship. He tells his friend, Bud, “I love to eat them tacos, and now I even got [sic??????] myself married to a pretty little Mexican gal” (51). It is  audacious  to believe that he manipulated her in to marring him. I would be inclined to believe that there are more  "Mexican gals" with children living near poverty, than there are men that make a decent living and want to marry them.  This makes it more likely that Sylvia had to entice Cloyd to get his attention, otherwise he would have interviewed for cooking skills, rather than making his choice based on looks and a generic reputation for Hispanic women.
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. .......Women have a saying that, "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach," and have used this bond men have with food to their advantage, portraying themselves as slaving to present  meals, heightening their counterparts appreciation. Cloyd is completely oblivious that the authentic Mexican food he married Sylvia for comes from a can. Behind Cloyd's back she even tells Sonny, “He doesn’t even know I buy este chile at the grocery store…he thinks I make it…” (51) and then is able to sway Sonny to cover for her. Consequently, Cloyd is appreciative that she  devotes her time and skill to prepare wonderful meals. Like most men Cloyd is easly controled by his stomic, and his stomic is controled by Sylvia.
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. .......Sylvia's manipulitive skills enable her to easily influence Cloyd when she is inclined to. In a conversation with Sonny she asks him if he needs a new T.V.  Then asks him, “You want me to make him [Cloyd] get you a better one?” (73). She is so casual about having enough control over men to make them do things, that the reader nearly takes it for granted. Cloyd himself is blinded by his lust for Sylvia at the start of their marriage, and he appears to be groveling when he promises ‘something big’ to Sonny, and again when he offers the desk for his room. The relationship between Cloyd and Sonny is not comfortable, yet Cloyd is going outside of his comfort zone to look good for Sylvia. Women's ability to manipulate men has made the difference between being kept in a mud hut and being cared for in a comfortable home.
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. .......An example of  the  balance between control and inducing resentment, Sylvia is ability to  recognize when Cloyd may have gone too far to be comfortable. Thus, when Cloyd’s promise for ‘something big’ becomes a trip to ’Notre Dame’ Sylvia attempts to influence Sonny to relinquish  the idea in an attempt to  fend off any resentment on Cloyd's part, as a result of being taken advantage of when he was vulnerable. This skill is an advantage for Sylvia that allows her to maintain peace with in the home.
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. .......By manipulating events in their home, Sylvia is able to also control Cloyd's topics for argument. When he is upset that her time is unaccounted for, he takes a position on a subject as trivial as toilet paper usage. Sylvia lets him rage about it, but later laughs behind his back. She has chosen the subject that he is in control of and is able to convey the allusion that he is in control of her.

........Knowing when to speak and how to speak is a skill that is taught in schools and job training. However, wives and mothers have refined and handed down the skill for generations. Sylvia can silently listen while  Cloyd unleashes his racism to a tenant, even though his comments are degrading to her. In contrast, she is able to coax Sonny to lie with a few skillfully used enduring comments. The effectiveness of this is most apparent when Sylvia is caught off guard in a conversation about Notre Dame and fails to utilize her persuasive skills. She tells Sonny, “...please, what are you talking about?”(153) conveying her disapproval. Sonny responds by talking back to her, which is rare. Sylvia has been able to prevent conflict with him most of the time with pleasant verbiage.
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. .......I admire Sylvia’s ability to refine feminine manipulation to a fine art. My generation has fought for women’s rights all of my life,  and as a result I now see my comrades in a lesser light. They have traded the natural feminine skills that Sylvia has for well paying jobs, and nice homes, stress, and  children that are misbehaved and unmotivated.  Women simply went to far and gave up some of what made life good. Men never asked to change jobs, even though their life span in the past has been an average of ten years shorter than women as a result of stress. Consequently, when millions of women walk away from their domestic jobs, it left the position unfilled or inadequately filled. I am not saying that women should not work and just stay home to serve their families. Women have come a long way and should be proud of what has been accomplished, but they need to take a little more responsibility for natural female duties. Every other animal on this planet knows the importance of their roles in families, and if they fly away from a nest because they are tired of sitting on the eggs, their species will die off. If women are less focused on the fight to live like men, and more focused on family, then we can go back to out living men, and have them treat us like goddesses on occasion. We can use some of Sylvia’s talents to make our lives less stressful and more enjoyable. After all, once we have proven our point and gotten what we want, it is best to stop fighting and use what we have learned to make a compromise.

help

If you have time please read my paper on 'The Flowers' and let me know if you see anything i can do to improve it before sunday.
thank you

The Flowers: draft gender criticism/ in first person

THE FLOWERS

By Dagoberto Gilb

        It is a bit funny to think that we women are viewed as the underdogs, unable to take care of ourselves and even helpless. Men have no idea how smart women are. We can waltz through life having doors opened for us, and bills paid, just because we can look pretty and produce children. I have lived on both sides of the feminist vista point and I like being cared for. I have done the Hippy thing and supported two children while I went to school and worked six to twelve hours a day. Yes, I can take care of myself and my family all by myself, but the truth is, sharing the responsibilities with someone else who thinks I am wonderful makes life a whole lot nicer. In the book The Flowers, the mother of the main character , Sonny, is Sylvia, and in many ways she is considered to be a helpless little Hispanic woman. However I do not view her that way. Women have been able to get men to take care of them for thousands of years, and she is very capable of using what God gave her to get a lifestyle that allows her to do the things she enjoys. The women in Sonny's porn magazines are even manipulating men. It is not the paper in the magazines that is making money, it is the women who know how to entice men and make them forget about everything else. With far less effort than the porn models, Sylvia is able to have a nice home, a car, and the funds to support her shopping habit. She even has a son that loves her and admires her looks, and it is not because he gets a daily gourmet meal, or caring conversation everyday. I believe that the modern feminist has become to extreme and has jeopardized some of the leverage that women have had since Adam and Eve.

        In the past Sylvia has been able to raise her son with very little interaction, yet he still adores his mother. She took little interest in Sonny’s likes, as a result when she introduces him, she tells Cloyd , he new husband, “ Maybe he likes baseball…I think that’s his favorite.”(12). it is as if she were introducing a child she has never met. In contrast Sonny is grateful for any little crumb she drops for him, even when he is able to sneak a few chips, and as a result she gives him a several dollars and sends him somewhere else to eat. The bond that comes from giving birth, ties children to their mothers regardless of the quality of parenting skills. It is easy to see this in interviews with adopted children. One woman said she did not know she was adopted but never felt close to her mother, but when she met her maternal mother their was a unmistakable bond.
Well kept appearance is another strength that has been under rated and at times discarded by modern feminists. I believe that appearance if probably a woman’s most valuable asset. In the book, Sonny loves to see Sylvia’s hand when she has had her nail done, and notices when she has bought a new dress, even the way she smells. I was even amazed that a young kid would notice as much detail as is described on page 76 when he says "It seemed to me she was wearing another new dress, and she was smelling washed and bath-oiled and lotioned and misted, and the high heels were glossier and redder than her lipstick.". This is enough to make him lie for her and keep any secret she sends his way. Her shopping and primping is a small price to pay for those secrets. Most men have a strong positive reaction to an attractive woman, this makes it easier for women to manipulate men.


        Sex appeal is a huge asset, and Sylvia uses it to purchased another opportunity to improve her fashion of living, when she marries Cloyd. He believes he has been the one who is responsible for their relationship. He tells Bud “I love to eat them tacos, and now I even got myself married to a pretty little Mexican gal” (51). He has the audacity to believe that he manipulated her in to marring him. I would be inclined to believe that there are more poverished ‘Mexican gals’ with children, than there are men that make a decent living and want to marry them, making it more likely that Sylvia had to entice Cloyd to get his attention, otherwise he would have married the first one he met.


        There is an old saying that the way to a mans heart is through his stomach. Women have used this to make men appreciate them, and make it seem that the woman has slaved to be able to present the food. This heightens there appreciation for their counterparts. Cloyd is completely oblivious that the authentic Mexican food, he thought he was getting when he married Sylvia, all comes from a can. Behind his back she even tells Sonny “He doesn’t even know I buy este chile at the grocery store…he thinks I make it…” (51) and then is able to sway Sonny to cover for her. Consequently, Cloyd is appreciative that she slaves to prepare wonderful meals.

        Sylvia knows she can easily influence Cloyd when ever she is inclined to. In a conversation with Sonny she asks him if he need a new T.V. Then asks him, “You want me to make him (Cloyd) get you a better one?” (73). She is so casual about having that much control over men. Cloyd himself is blinded by his lust for Sylvia. At the start of their marriage, he appears to be groveling when he promises ‘something big’ to Sonny, and when he offers the desk for his room. The relationship between Cloyd and Sonny is not comfortable, yet Cloyd is going outside of his comfort zone to look good for Sylvia.


         Sylvia is able to recognize when Cloyd may have gone to far to be comfortable. Thus, when Cloyd’s promise for something big becomes a trip to ’Notre Dame’ Sylvia attempts to influences Sonny to drop the idea. This could fend of any resentment that Cloyd may have about being taken advantage of when he was vulnerable.

        Cloyd is so controlled by Sylvia that, he does not even argue that her time is unaccounted for. Instead Cloyd takes a position on a subject as trivial as toilet paper usage. Sylvia lets him rage about it, but later laughs, behind his back, because it is so petty. By giving Cloyd the power over the toilet paper, Sylvia is able to give him the allusion that he is in control.

        With little scholastic skills Sylvia is able to influence Sonny’s education with a minimal amount of effort. She speaks broken English and appears to have very little education. She does not even have enough interest in education to spend time with her son while he is studying. However, she is entertained by him learning French and uses other qualities to motivate him . When Sonny tells Sylvia "J'aime la pizza, (love the pizza)” (152), he tells us "She laughed...I liked that she laughed, because it proved French was funny and not only to me." (152). This laughter seems to be considered encouragement for him and he continues to study French. At the same time, it all so bought her a few more secrets to be kept, when she tells Sonny she is going out and she'll be back before Cloyd returns home.

        I admire Sylvia’s ability to refine feminine manipulation to a fine art. My generation has fought for women’s rights all of my life, as a result I now see my comrades in a lesser light. They have traded in what Sylvia has, for well paying jobs, and nice homes, but they are over stressed, and their children are misbehaved and unmotivated in life. It is not hard to figure out why, women simply went to far and gave up some of what made life good. Men never asked to change jobs even though their life span in the past has been an average of ten years shorter than women as a result of stress. Consequently when millions of women walk away from their domestic jobs, it left the position unfilled or inadequately filled. I am not saying that women should not work and just stay home to serve their families. We have come a long way and should be proud of what we have accomplished, but we should take a little more responsibility for our natural duties. Every other animal on this planet knows the importance of their roles, we might take a lesson from them. If we are less focused on the fight, and more focused on family, then we can go back to out living men, and have them treat us like goddesses on occasion. We can use some of Sylvia’s talents to make our lives less stressed and more enjoyable. After all, once we have proven our point and gotten what we want, it is best to stop fighting and make a compromise.

the flowers draft Gender Criticism:

Sylvia the self-sufficient woman:

          It is a bit funny to think that we women are viewed as the underdogs, unable to take care of ourselves and even helpless. Men have no idea how smart women are. We can waltz through life having doors opened for us, and bills paid, just because we can look pretty and produce children. I have lived on both sides of the feminist vista point and I like being cared for. I have done the Hippy thing and the feminist thing while I supported two children, went to school and worked six to twelve hours a day. Yep, I can take care of myself and my family all by myself, but the truth is sharing the responsibilities with someone else who thinks I am wonderful makes life a whole lot nicer. In 'The Flowers' Sylvia is not the helpless little Hispanic that everyone seems to think she is. She is a bit of a feminist that incorporates some of the traditional feminine role too. Women have been able to get men to take care of them for thousands of years, and she is very capable of using what God gave her to get a lifestyle that allows her to do the things she enjoys. The women in Sonny's porn magazines are even manipulating men. It is not the paper in the magazines that is making money, it is the women who know how to entice men and make them forget about everything else. With far less effort than the porn models, Sylvia is able to have a home that is nice, and the funds to support her shopping habit. She even has a son that loves her and admires her looks, and it is not because he gets a daily gourmet meal, or caring conversation everyday. My husband should be thankful that I fulfill these tasks better than Sylvia.

         In the past Sylvia has taken little interest in Sonny’s likes, as a result when she introduces him, she tells Cloyd, “ Maybe he likes baseball…I think that’s his favorite”. it is as if she were introducing a child she has never met. In contrast Sonny is grateful for any little crumb she drops for him, even when he is able to sneak a few chips, and as a result she gives him a few dollars and sends him somewhere else to eat.
Sonny loves to see her hand when she has had her nail done, and notices when she has bought a new dress, even the way she smells. I was even amazed that a young kid would notice as much detail as is described on page 76 when he says "It seemed to me she was wearing another new dress, and she was smelling washed and bath-oiled and lotioned and misted, and the high heels were glossier and redder than her lipstick." This is enough to make him lie for her and keep any secret she sends his way. Her shopping and primping is a small price to pay for those secrets.

         Sylvia has managed for years to stay afloat using her sex appeal and now she has used it to purchased another opportunity to improve her fashion of living. This is a woman that speaks broken English and appears to have very little education. She does not even have enough interest in education to spend time with her son while he is studying. However, she is entertained by him learning French and her laughter will suffice as payment to keep him motivated to learn more. When Sonny tells Sylvia "J'aime la pizza," (love the pizza) he tells us "She laughed...I liked that she laughed, because it proved French was funny and not only to me." p 152. This laughter seems to be considered encouragement for him and he continues to study French. At the same time it all so bought her a few more secrets to be kept, when she tells Sonny she is going out and she'll be back before Cloyd returns home.

         Sylvia knows she can easily influence Cloyd when ever she is inclined to. In a conversation with Sonny she asks him if he need a new T.V. Then asks him, “You want me to make him (Cloyd) get you a better one?”.p73 She is so casual about having that much control over men. Cloyd himself is blinded by his lust for Sylvia. At the start of their marriage he appears to be groveling when he promises ‘something big’ to Sonny, and when he offers the desk for his room. The relationship between Cloyd and Sonny is not comfortable, yet Cloyd is going outside of his comfort zone to look good for Sylvia. He believes he has been the one who is responsible for their relationship. He tells Bud “I love to eat them tacos, and now I even got myself married to a pretty little Mexican gal” p51. He has the audacity to believe that he manipulated her in to marring him. I would be inclined to believe that there are more poverished ‘Mexican gals’ with children, than there are men that make a decent living and want to marry them.

         Cloyd is completely oblivious that the authentic Mexican food, he thought he was getting when he married Sylvia, all comes from a can. Behind his back she even tells Sonny “He doesn’t even know I buy este chile at the grocery store…he thinks I make it…” and then is able to manipulate Sonny in to covering for her. When Cloyd does take a position on something, he chose a subject as lame as toilet paper. Sylvia lets him rage about it, but later laughs, behind his back because it is so petty.

         On a larger scale Cloyd was so blinded by Sylvia when they were first married that he would have promised anything. As a result he was sucked into promising Sonny that he will be able to go to ‘Notre Dame’. As Sylvia looses some of her influence over Cloyd she tries to persuade Sonny to drop the idea and not bring it up with Cloyd. This is an example of over using ones assets. She has been inconsiderate while she was building the lifestyle she sought, thus weakening her leverage. Sylvia seems to be loosing her influence over Cloyd and Sonny, possibly telling us the reason she has been married multiple times. But practice can make perfect and she just keeps practicing.

         I admire Sylvia’s thrift, for her ability refine feminine manipulation to a fine art. My generation has fought for women’s rights all of my life, as a result I now see my comrades in a lesser light. They have traded in what Sylvia has, for well paying jobs, and nice homes, but they are over stressed, and can not figure out why their children a so misbehaved and unmotivated in life. It is not hard to figure out, women simply went to far and gave up some of what made life good. Men never asked to change jobs even though their life span in the past has been an average of ten years shorter than women as a result of stress. Consequently when millions of women walk away from their domestic jobs, it left the position unfilled or inadequately filled. I am not saying that women should not work and just stay home to serve their families. We have come a long way and should be proud of what we have accomplished, but we should take a little more responsibility for our natural duties. Every other animal on this planet knows the importance of their roles, we might take a lesson from them. If we are less focused on the fight, and more focused on family, then we can go back to out living men, and have them treat us like goddesses on occasion. We can use some of Sylvia’s talents to make our lives less stressed and more enjoyable. After all, once we have proven our point and gotten what we want, it is best to stop fighting and make up.

1325 words

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what will sonny do with the money

     The stash of money that Sonny has, only grew until he moved to The Flowers. His way of copping with his own guilt, about steeling was to not spend it, all though when he moved to The Flowers he slowly began to spend. After he found out about Cloyds cash reserve, he decides to eventually replenish his own stash with Cloyd,s, and becomes more frivolous about his spending. Even though he finds security in having a cash reserve, he is afraid that he will be found out. I believe that this will eventually cause him to leave the flowers and try to take Nica with him.
     I do not believe I would be inclined to take the money, because I tend to look at situations from the other persons perspective. I think I would try to be more compassionate towards Cloyd, and find my security in building a better relationship with him.
152 words