It's summertime....and the reading ain't easy!

Greetings readers!

It's summertime and time for another shot at redemption with this blog. I admit I have been quite the slacker due to lack of tech equipment, etc.

But it lives and breathes another day.

I thought this time for summer 2011, I'd try a more read-along approach and let you, the followers join in to what I am currently reading. I have a list of 32 books that I plan on getting into, and I'll give you the title and author as I decide what I am reading. So you'll get the name of the book, we'll read it separately, and I'll blog my take on what I read, and you guys can fill in on the comments section your thoughts on what you read.

Sound like a good plan?

The first assignment for you guys is "Lake Wobegon Days" by Garrison Keillor.

So grab your Kindles, Nooks, (or whatever e-reader you prefer) or your library cards and get reading!

I'll meet you on the other side!

-Alex

Tartuffe

Oh Moliere. You had me at hypocrite.

Moliere was heavily influenced by thw italian style of "comedia del arte", which was the father of the format used today for TV sitcoms (romantic leads, lecherous old man, gullible man, foolish scholar, wisecracking househelp, stock plots, etc). Tartuffe is a great example of that particular style.

It's the story of a man named Tartuffe, who with help from Orgon goes from beggar to well to do man. Orgon and his mother Madame Pernelle develop a weird obsession with Tartuffe, who claims to be all godly and able to speak with divine authority, and they tend to consult him for advice before going about their business. And Tartuffe really lays on the good Christian thing really thick. Like this line to Orgon's wife Elmire: "May Heaven, with its great kindness, forever give you health, both of soul and body; and bless your days as much as the humblest of its votaries desires!"

Really Tartuffe?

The rest of Orgon's family: his wife Elmire, his son Damis, his daughter Mariane, and his brother-in-law Cleante find Tartuffe's behavior pretty over the top. Even Dorine the housemaid sees right through him and tries to tell Madame Pernelle: "He passes for a saint in your imagination. Believe me, all he does is nothing but hypocrisy."
The deluded insanity continues as Orgon tells everyone that Mariane is now going to marry Tartuffe, even though she is already engaged to Valere. Mariane becomes distraught at the news and the rest of the family realize how deeply rooted this houseguest has become.

It is then discovered that Tartuffe has the hots for Orgon's wife Elmire, a big no-no considering Tartuffe is a self proclaimed pious man and a guest of the house. The family hopes that Orgon will throw him out of the house. Tartuffe is overheard trying to seduce Elmire, but Damis, who was eavesdropping jumps out and confronts Tartuffe. When Orgon enters the room Damis tells him what Tartuffe was doing, and Tartuffe gets Oron to believe that Damis is lying and Orgon throws Damis out of the house.

I'll leave the story at this point and you can read on to find out what happens next. I liked the play and thought it was very well written. It's a short play and the dialogue moves very fluidly so when you reach the end you feel pretty satisfied. I loved the character of Dorine, she was witty and always had something to say, much to the annoyance of Orgon. I definitely recommend it to anyone, regardless if you follow this blog or not. ;)

Happy Reading!

-Alexandra

Ahh Antigone.

This story picks up where Sophocles' other tales leave off. When we meet up with Antigone, both of her brothers have been killed in a civil war as they fight to become king, as Oedipus has gone into self imposed exile and Thebes is kingless. Neither of the brothers survive abd Creon, Antigone's uncle becomes king. He then passes an edict that allows for Etocles to have a hero's burial, while Polynices gets to rot on the battlefield. Anyone who tries to bury him receives the death penalty.

Antigone hates to see that happen so she asks her sister Ismene to help her bury their brother. Ismene refuses to help for fear of dying, so Antigone does it alone. She gets caught and brought before Creon who is angry that anyone has dared to disobey his edict. Antigone stands by what she has done, prompting Creon to think Ismene had something to do with this reckless action. Ismene tries to take blame for the burial, and Antigone stops her. Creon has them both locked up, and his son Haemon comes to side with his dad, before realizing that all of Thebes stands behind Antigone.

Tiresas makes his appearance again, this time warning Creon that he must bury Polynices soon and that he will pay for his mistakes by losing the "fruit of his loins". Creon accuses Tiresas if being corrupt and sends him away.

What follows is proof of Creon's mistakes and his failure to listen to people who know the future. I'll let you enjoy the ending, but bear in mind Sophocles is a tedious read. This was an assignment for a class, so I had to read it. But if you so choose to do so on your own volition, I do recommend it.

Happy Reading!

Alexandra