Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Post #6

Since last post i've read and noticed that in this book there is alot of contradiction. Alot of talk about angels and saints and things that are known to be pure, are being spoken by devilish creatures. Its really weird that these vampires which are known to be evil, and are, but they seem to have another side to them that is not so evil. They might even have a heart. I think that there may be some themes of contradiction in the first book, but i read it so quickly i didnt even notice much, but the plot.
The thing about this project is that we can't just read our books for enjoyment, but we have to notice details and analyze things that sthe author may be trying to get across to the readers.

The most meaningful piece of what i've read since last post is this:
"but you have to realize that she's experiencing a freedom you and i don't appreciate as men. She's walking in the darkness and she's afraid of nothing, and she loves it."

...i remember clearly from the first book, Merrick, she stated something almost exactly like this. I'm not sure yet what Anne Rice is trying to put forth, but i understand that she wants people to understand the vulnerability of women. After reading my third book, i may be able to turn the topic of a woman's vulnerability into a thesis. And as a small woman, i feel like i can connect completely with that. As much a woman can try to walk around with as much strength as possibly, the fact still remains that men have an advantage over us.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Post #5

Now im reading the second book, The Blood Candticle. No thesis ideas have really popped out at me, because my thesis willsomehow be based off her writitng of different themes, kinda. the three different books by her that i am reading are: witch, vampire, and gory fantasy. So i do know that my paper topic will have something to do with what about her writing carries through in the diffrent themes she writes about... i haven't quite figured that out yet.. i may need help developing that.

As far as updating what i've read since last post.
So, a little behind on my reading because i couldnt find the book, i've read 100 pages since yesterday of my 2nd. Now the famous character lestat is narrating the book and in the first 50 pages he has already mentioned his yearning to become a saint, but contradicts himself by turning a young woman into a vampire. Lestat, the wackiest, most addicting charecter i've ever read about is what i love most about anne's writing. Of all her writing, the most insane, random, wild character draws me in; grabs. Something about his free spirited style brings something that i can relate to, and if not, enjoy reading.

Here's a bit of Lestat's narrating style:

"..turned the lock on Quinn's door and entered.
Entered? Why not went in? That's the artificial quaintness that has to go. You see my point? Matter a fact, I barreled into the room, if you must know."

Monday, March 3, 2008

post #4

symbolism?

a big symbol in this book is the ghost of claudia. claudia was once a vampire made years prior by the young vampires louis and lestat. she was made in her 5th year, having to live forever in a 5year old body. soon enough, she grew to hate her makers and tried to kill lestat. soon after her failed murder attempt, she was set to burn in the sunlight. now, two-hundred years later, louis comes for merrick to bring claudia's spirit to him. throughout the whole book, claudia is mentioned, mainly by louis having been in love with this eternal child greiving for her loss more than any other, so many years later. the biggest symbol of claudia in this book is guilt. the guilt that louis carries with himself is great, and after finally merrick bringing her soulf back he attampts to kill himself, feeling like he cant live with the thoughts of remorse forever.

Post #2

my second post is slightly different from the website's directions.
Justin told me to use the 2nd prompt for my 1st so i'm a little ahead.

in the beginning the book im reading, MERRICK, its about how she becomes a member of the talamasca. The talamasca is an organization, involved in many of anne rice's books, that watches, observes, and records their learnings of the supernatural world. when merrick is fourteen years old, she shows up at the talamasca headquarters and requests to show them her powers. At the age of fourteen she has already become a powerful witch of the well known witch family, The Mayfairs. she shows up claiming that the grandmother she lives with had a dream of dying and told her to go to them asking for help with her powers once her grandmother dies. theres more to the beginning of the book, but this is about it. The first 100 pages or so is basically explaining this here.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Sheida Meltone-American Author Project on Anne Rice

I've already read most of my first book so there are many options for me to choose for a piece of writing that exhibits Anne's writing the most.

P. 296
" Nothing", he said. He bowed his head, but then he looked up helplessly. "Nothing. i saw nothing and i felt that there was nothing. i felt it- empty, colorless, timeless. Nothing. That i had ever lived in any shape seemed unreal." His eyes were shut tight, and he brought up his hand to hide his face from us. he was weeping. "nothing", he said. "Nothing at all."

This was almost the end of the book, after the vampire Louis went into the sun. He was brought back to life by his vampire companions and he was describing to them all what it felt like, dying in the sun. I chose this passage, feeling that anyone who read it could somewhat understand Anne's writing style. The way she repeats nothing, and the repitition of "empty, colorless, timeless". It reminds me much of my moving voices narrative about the hurting native american girl. This, much like my writing deeply shows the hurting of the two different beings.