A few weeks ago, when asked when it is okay to be the whistleblower, my immediate response was that it is never okay to be the whistle blower. Playing the role of whistleblower has its definite pros and cons, but becoming the “tattle tale” is far from admirable. As I viewed On the Waterfront, I was unsure about whether Terry Malloy was doing the morally correct thing by unearthing the truth about the mob’s operations at the dock. The right combination of the literary, dramatic and cinematic aspects gave me a new sense of perspective on the role of a whistleblower.
On the Waterfront takes place in the winter on the mob-organized docks of New York. On these docks controlled by Johnny Friendly, what Terry Malloy seeks is simple, employment. Terry quickly learns, after his haphazard involvement in the murder of his childhood friend that life on the docks is far from impartial. Father Barry, who is the priest at the local church, becomes suspicious about what the longshoremen know about the murder of Doyle. Throughout On the Waterfront, Father Barry symbolizes a God-like figure, saving New York from the mob. When Terry is called on for information on Doyle’s murder, Terry faces the dilemma of playing deaf and dumb or becoming a canary and singing out the truth.
The famous Marlon Brando portrays the character of Terry Malloy with ease. The emotion of confusion came through in every action he made. Brando’s physique also allows the viewer to subconsciously compare Terry as a less powerful person against the heavy-set Johnny Friendly (Lee J. Cobb). The casting of Lee J. Cobb as Johnny Friendly could not have been a better choice. The powerful dock-master’s booming voice commands the attention of both the viewer and the longshoremen who work for him. With each step, the ground seems to crumble underneath his might, as well as the people who tremble at the mere thought of him. Eva Marie Saint, who is the character of Edie Doyle, has a commanding presence in the film. She appears fragile and girlie, but when she speaks, she is truly passionate about ending the corruption on the docks by the mob. The character whose casting was disappointing was that of Charley Malloy. Rod Steiger did a poor job on balancing both the compassion and toughness in his character.
The use of costume is a strong point in On the Waterfront’s use of dramatic aspects. The best example of costume is Edie Doyle. Her bleach blonde coiffure provides contrast against all the dark haired men, which makes her character exceptionally bold. All of the men in the film, with the exception of Father Barry, wore heavy coats, as if to symbolize all that they had to hide. Father Barry was always filmed wearing his coatless costume because he, unlike the longshoremen, had nothing to hide. An extremely symbolic prop was Joey Doyle’s jacket, which after his death, his sister Edie gave to another longshoreman, Kayo. Kayo, viewed as a threat to the mob’s operation, was killed. Edie took the jacket and passed it on to Terry, who ironically enough was about to become a canary, and therefore on the mob’s kill list. A good example of use of light is in the scene where Edie and Terry are running down a shadowy alley, and a truck drives through, nearly hitting Edie and Terry. The truck’s headlights are used to illuminate the area where Terry’s brother, Charley’s dead body is hanging lifelessly.
The music in On the Waterfront significantly contributed to dramatization of the film. High pitched and choppy throughout the most suspenseful parts, the music added to the anxiousness and anticipation. During fast-moving scenes, the music becomes more rapid, quickening the pace of the film. Another good use of sound is the voices of the characters. The man with the most power also has the most booming voice, and Edie, the only woman present has a whiny tone that makes her impossible to ignore. Medium shots are the most frequent during the film. This gives the viewer the most realistic perspective of what the characters see. An effective use of a low angle is demonstrated when Father Barry is being raised up from underneath the ship, making him appear superior to the longshoremen.
Joe Keller, of All My Sons, and Terry Malloy, of On the Waterfront share the same conflict of being the whistleblower. Their decisions alike have deathly consequences; for Terry his life, as well as the life of others if they choose to report the mob and Keller puts the lives of America’s pilots at risk with the cracked cylinder heads. Both Joe Keller and Terry Malloy’s involvement in the business of dishonesty comes at the cost the life of a family member. The ultimate difference between Keller and Terry is their honesty. Keller lives his life in a tangled web of lies, claiming that he never knew about the cylinder heads, and blamed it on his business partner, who received a jail sentence for Keller’s crime. Terry decides to tell the truth about the happenings at the dock, and although the mob could easily have him killed, he decides to do what he feels is right. Terry falls under the classification of an ethical crusade, choosing a difficult task because its morally correct, and Joe Keller is a traitor, causing harm to others for personal contentment.
After watching On the Waterfront, I realized that I needed to soften my position on when it is okay to become the whistleblower. I now believe that when someone’s life is at stake, it is necessary to blow the whistle. I think when Terry tattled on the mob’s dishonest actions, it was the overall morally correct thing to do. The gripping plot, tasteful casting, effective use of costumes and props and suspenseful music helped cast a light on the importance of when being a whistleblower is necessary. I would highly recommend this movie, because I found it extremely thought provoking.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
[Post B Week 3]
During this section of the book, the father in the Schiller family commits suicide. His suicide changes the family and their ways greatly. There is little explanation behind his suicide, and when Claire is asked why she thinks her husband committed suicide, she says, "He was sad." This is clearly the great loss of the family that is described in the synopsis. I think suicide brings different emotions to individuals based on personal experience.
In my humble opinion, I think that suicide is very selfish. I also understand that suicide is very serious. I know that people who have this kind of issue feel like they are often alone and the world is against them, which is a probable skewed perception. However, when an individual follows through with the act of suicide, their issues do not evaporate into thin air. Instead, they are dumped into the laps of their loved ones. The loved ones have little explanation, and are left hanging. Even though suicide notes can offer closure to the parents, the siblings, the friends, the significant others, the true reasoning behind the choice to follow through can never be unearthed. Also, it shouldn't take a suicide to realize just how many loved ones that were there to support this individual. That is why I firmly believe in never ending a conversation on a bitter note, and I think it is important to always tell the people that you love that you love them. In any time of loneliness and hopelessness, I would rather a friend call me because they know that I love and care about them than turn to an extreme measure such as self harm, or even suicide.
What are your thoughts on suicide?
In my humble opinion, I think that suicide is very selfish. I also understand that suicide is very serious. I know that people who have this kind of issue feel like they are often alone and the world is against them, which is a probable skewed perception. However, when an individual follows through with the act of suicide, their issues do not evaporate into thin air. Instead, they are dumped into the laps of their loved ones. The loved ones have little explanation, and are left hanging. Even though suicide notes can offer closure to the parents, the siblings, the friends, the significant others, the true reasoning behind the choice to follow through can never be unearthed. Also, it shouldn't take a suicide to realize just how many loved ones that were there to support this individual. That is why I firmly believe in never ending a conversation on a bitter note, and I think it is important to always tell the people that you love that you love them. In any time of loneliness and hopelessness, I would rather a friend call me because they know that I love and care about them than turn to an extreme measure such as self harm, or even suicide.
What are your thoughts on suicide?
[Post A Week 3]
VOCABULARY:
commune (65): to converse or talk together, usually with profound intensity, intimacy
biddy (83): a chicken OR a newly hatched chick.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:
"Spring twitches impatiently in its seat like a child wanting to go outside, straining towards summer..." (79)
This is a very good similie, and an excellent description of how the seasons are changing. It is good to see some brightness and a chance for things to look up after Katie's father's suicide.
" 'Scritchy kisses!' she strieked. i could see them without even looking, rubbing their cheeks together, lips pursed, like a pair of fish" (85)
Opa, Katie's paternal grandfather is trying to give Kate the utmost amount of love possible, due to her father's suicide. Kate's mom, Claire describes it as Kate is so sad that she doesn't even know (how sad she is) how much sadness she even feels for this loss. This is a similie, when Opa was kissing Kate.
"She surveyed her crowded kitchen, the refrigerator and freezer having long since run out of space and spilled over with covered dishes that took up every inch of counter space." (90) This is very descripitive language, because the the refigerator and freezer cannot "spill" so it's giing a different characteristic to the fridge and freezer. Hornbacher is talking about how because of the father's death, the enire town comes over with hot dishes and food to help the family mourn.
PROBABLE THEME:
I think the theme is how one family tragedy(crisis) really shows the different coping mechanisms as individuals, and as the entire family after, in this case, a suicide.
commune (65): to converse or talk together, usually with profound intensity, intimacy
biddy (83): a chicken OR a newly hatched chick.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:
"Spring twitches impatiently in its seat like a child wanting to go outside, straining towards summer..." (79)
This is a very good similie, and an excellent description of how the seasons are changing. It is good to see some brightness and a chance for things to look up after Katie's father's suicide.
" 'Scritchy kisses!' she strieked. i could see them without even looking, rubbing their cheeks together, lips pursed, like a pair of fish" (85)
Opa, Katie's paternal grandfather is trying to give Kate the utmost amount of love possible, due to her father's suicide. Kate's mom, Claire describes it as Kate is so sad that she doesn't even know (how sad she is) how much sadness she even feels for this loss. This is a similie, when Opa was kissing Kate.
"She surveyed her crowded kitchen, the refrigerator and freezer having long since run out of space and spilled over with covered dishes that took up every inch of counter space." (90) This is very descripitive language, because the the refigerator and freezer cannot "spill" so it's giing a different characteristic to the fridge and freezer. Hornbacher is talking about how because of the father's death, the enire town comes over with hot dishes and food to help the family mourn.
PROBABLE THEME:
I think the theme is how one family tragedy(crisis) really shows the different coping mechanisms as individuals, and as the entire family after, in this case, a suicide.
Monday, November 19, 2007
[Post B Week 2]
LETTER TO THE MAIN CHARACTER:
Dear Katie,
This part of the book has been the hardest for you by far, because of Esau's sickness and the arguments between your parents.I know that it is very hard for you to understand why they fight,and why they won't always be happy together. Even though this is tough on you and Esau, it's important to keep out from under their feet. They have a lot more issues than you as "tween" could understand.A line that really stuck with me was: "I watched them. Froze them that way in my head. Stay there, I almost said aloud. Like that. But they broke apart. They always did." (39). Your father's issue with alcohol is a huge strain on their marriage, and not only emotionally but also financially. This is a big reason for why your mother wants to send Esau 'Away'. I think that its best for you to try and empathize with your mother and understand that the best place for Esau and his illness is definately where you call 'Away'. It was scary when Esau had an episode and you had to hold him down while your mother shoved a pill down his throat to stop the siezure. Unfortunately you and your mom cannot be there all the time in case of Esau's episodes, so even though sending Esau back "Away" is a difficult thing, and even thought it depresses you each night, maybe the best thing for Esau hurts you a little bit. Stay strong, because I have a feeling that this will not be your only loss.
<3Caitlin
Dear Katie,
This part of the book has been the hardest for you by far, because of Esau's sickness and the arguments between your parents.I know that it is very hard for you to understand why they fight,and why they won't always be happy together. Even though this is tough on you and Esau, it's important to keep out from under their feet. They have a lot more issues than you as "tween" could understand.A line that really stuck with me was: "I watched them. Froze them that way in my head. Stay there, I almost said aloud. Like that. But they broke apart. They always did." (39). Your father's issue with alcohol is a huge strain on their marriage, and not only emotionally but also financially. This is a big reason for why your mother wants to send Esau 'Away'. I think that its best for you to try and empathize with your mother and understand that the best place for Esau and his illness is definately where you call 'Away'. It was scary when Esau had an episode and you had to hold him down while your mother shoved a pill down his throat to stop the siezure. Unfortunately you and your mom cannot be there all the time in case of Esau's episodes, so even though sending Esau back "Away" is a difficult thing, and even thought it depresses you each night, maybe the best thing for Esau hurts you a little bit. Stay strong, because I have a feeling that this will not be your only loss.
<3Caitlin
Saturday, November 17, 2007
[Post A Week 2]
to thrum (32): to drum of tap idly with one's fingers
percolator (64): a kind of coffeepot in which boiling water in a repeated process is forced up a hollow stem, filters down through ground coffee in a sievelike container, and returns to the pot below
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:
"My father's face crumpled like a paper napkin." (66)
I know that this is use of figurative language because its a similie, comparing 2 things using the words like or as. Katie describes her father's face as he has an argument with her mother, Claire, because Katie's father believes that there is nothing to live for, and Claire kind of tells hiim off, that he knows darn well that his children love him, and that she loves him, and that that should be enough reason to keep living.
"He was crunching on ice. In the silence it sounded like he was chewing on glass." (28)
I know that this is use of figurative language because its a similie, comparing 2 things using the words like or as.
Katie's father is contemplating whether or not to return his son, who has "episodes" back to what the family calls "Away", which I think is essentially a home for mentally disabled. From what I have read I think that he[Esau, Katie's brother] is autistic. The father thinks that Esau is fine, and Claire, the mother, thinks that Esau needs to go back to the home. Katie just wants her brother to be home with her.
"I don't know what day it was. I know the snow had fallen, had been falling heavily for days, blanketing the fields overnight, softening and silencing the world. I know winter had come." (39)
This is very descriptive language. It is mostly likely more descriptive to me, because I can really relate to Minnesota winters. Every year when we drive to International Falls, up on the Minnesota/Canadian border, all the fields really do appear to have a blanket of snow, and the space just seems to tranquil, like the snow came in with a hush.
SIGNIFICANT QUOTE:
"I watched them. Froze them that way in my head. Stay there, I almost said aloud. Like that. But they broke apart. They always did." (39)
This is a significant quote because Katie's parents are constantly fighting. She just wants them to be happy together because with Esau having medical issues, which already put significant strain on the family, The father is also a big drinker, and Katie doesn't understand why.
PROBABLE THEME:
I think the theme is how families deal with certain crises in their individual lives, and the impact on the family as a whole.
percolator (64): a kind of coffeepot in which boiling water in a repeated process is forced up a hollow stem, filters down through ground coffee in a sievelike container, and returns to the pot below
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:
"My father's face crumpled like a paper napkin." (66)
I know that this is use of figurative language because its a similie, comparing 2 things using the words like or as. Katie describes her father's face as he has an argument with her mother, Claire, because Katie's father believes that there is nothing to live for, and Claire kind of tells hiim off, that he knows darn well that his children love him, and that she loves him, and that that should be enough reason to keep living.
"He was crunching on ice. In the silence it sounded like he was chewing on glass." (28)
I know that this is use of figurative language because its a similie, comparing 2 things using the words like or as.
Katie's father is contemplating whether or not to return his son, who has "episodes" back to what the family calls "Away", which I think is essentially a home for mentally disabled. From what I have read I think that he[Esau, Katie's brother] is autistic. The father thinks that Esau is fine, and Claire, the mother, thinks that Esau needs to go back to the home. Katie just wants her brother to be home with her.
"I don't know what day it was. I know the snow had fallen, had been falling heavily for days, blanketing the fields overnight, softening and silencing the world. I know winter had come." (39)
This is very descriptive language. It is mostly likely more descriptive to me, because I can really relate to Minnesota winters. Every year when we drive to International Falls, up on the Minnesota/Canadian border, all the fields really do appear to have a blanket of snow, and the space just seems to tranquil, like the snow came in with a hush.
SIGNIFICANT QUOTE:
"I watched them. Froze them that way in my head. Stay there, I almost said aloud. Like that. But they broke apart. They always did." (39)
This is a significant quote because Katie's parents are constantly fighting. She just wants them to be happy together because with Esau having medical issues, which already put significant strain on the family, The father is also a big drinker, and Katie doesn't understand why.
PROBABLE THEME:
I think the theme is how families deal with certain crises in their individual lives, and the impact on the family as a whole.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
It's Wonderful To Have You Back [Post B, Week 1]
Dear Marya Hornbacher,
The reason I chose "The Center of Winter" is because of how much I enjoyed your memoir, "Wasted". It is really cool to know that you grew up by Concord, which is a parking lot away from my middle school. I thought I would give your first novel a try.
So far, I am enjoying it very much. Your previous life experiences (drugs, sex, bulimia, anorexia, neglect, etc.) have been intertwined into this ficticious work. I am curious about how you will develop your characters, if you are going to make them who you wished you could be at a young age, or if you will make the young girl struggle with simliar issues you did. So far, the book is set in Motley, Minnesota (sticking with Minnesota for setting, eh?), which is a teeny tiny town, and contrasts to "Wasted" which mostly took place in Edina (Pop. 47,500)...that is when you weren't in any rehabhillitaion services. I'm also anxious to see how you will carry a fmily through grief, and how you will set the characters apart from each other with their styles of grieving and paces of moving on. I have high hopes for this book!!
<3Caitlin
The reason I chose "The Center of Winter" is because of how much I enjoyed your memoir, "Wasted". It is really cool to know that you grew up by Concord, which is a parking lot away from my middle school. I thought I would give your first novel a try.
So far, I am enjoying it very much. Your previous life experiences (drugs, sex, bulimia, anorexia, neglect, etc.) have been intertwined into this ficticious work. I am curious about how you will develop your characters, if you are going to make them who you wished you could be at a young age, or if you will make the young girl struggle with simliar issues you did. So far, the book is set in Motley, Minnesota (sticking with Minnesota for setting, eh?), which is a teeny tiny town, and contrasts to "Wasted" which mostly took place in Edina (Pop. 47,500)...that is when you weren't in any rehabhillitaion services. I'm also anxious to see how you will carry a fmily through grief, and how you will set the characters apart from each other with their styles of grieving and paces of moving on. I have high hopes for this book!!
<3Caitlin
Here It Goes Again [Post A, Week 1]
VOCABULARY:
transient (Hornbacher, 16): lasting only a short time
amorphous (Hornbacher, 33): formless, having no specific shape
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:
(1) "They weres stuffed into their second-best suits and dresses...which itched at the armpits and high collars."(Hornbacher, 8)
My 7th grade ELA techer always told me that an author successfully uses figurative language when you can acutally picture what the author really wants you to see. In this paragraph, they are sitting in a church. This is an image that my mind clearly depicts, and she ues a good adjective when she says that they were ""stuffed" into their suits and dresses.
(2) "The fields were lit up by the high, white moon, glistening like an eyeball in the sky." (Hornbacher, 12)
I know that this figurative language because she is comparing the moon with an eyeball using the word "like", and that is a similie, which is figurative language.
(3) "He scrambled to his feet and ran off into the dark like a frightened deer." (Hornbacher, 14)
This too is a similie because of the use of "like" in the comparison of the boy to a frightened deer.
SIGNIFICANT QUOTE:
"They always told this story at funeral parties, It was the best dead-person storiy they had, so they told it again and again." (Hornbacher, 10)
This quote is significant because so far, from what I know, death is a theme in this book, and rediscovering hope. The family seems to go to a lot of funerals for their elderly friends. There hasn't been an immediate family member's death so far, but I'm sure how funeral parties go in this tiny town is going to be a reoccuring theme.
THEME...SO FAR...
I think the theme so far is similar of that to "All My Sons" because of death, and how a family grieves, and how each person moves on and have different ideas of how far (to move on) is okay.
transient (Hornbacher, 16): lasting only a short time
amorphous (Hornbacher, 33): formless, having no specific shape
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:
(1) "They weres stuffed into their second-best suits and dresses...which itched at the armpits and high collars."(Hornbacher, 8)
My 7th grade ELA techer always told me that an author successfully uses figurative language when you can acutally picture what the author really wants you to see. In this paragraph, they are sitting in a church. This is an image that my mind clearly depicts, and she ues a good adjective when she says that they were ""stuffed" into their suits and dresses.
(2) "The fields were lit up by the high, white moon, glistening like an eyeball in the sky." (Hornbacher, 12)
I know that this figurative language because she is comparing the moon with an eyeball using the word "like", and that is a similie, which is figurative language.
(3) "He scrambled to his feet and ran off into the dark like a frightened deer." (Hornbacher, 14)
This too is a similie because of the use of "like" in the comparison of the boy to a frightened deer.
SIGNIFICANT QUOTE:
"They always told this story at funeral parties, It was the best dead-person storiy they had, so they told it again and again." (Hornbacher, 10)
This quote is significant because so far, from what I know, death is a theme in this book, and rediscovering hope. The family seems to go to a lot of funerals for their elderly friends. There hasn't been an immediate family member's death so far, but I'm sure how funeral parties go in this tiny town is going to be a reoccuring theme.
THEME...SO FAR...
I think the theme so far is similar of that to "All My Sons" because of death, and how a family grieves, and how each person moves on and have different ideas of how far (to move on) is okay.
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