Blog 10/Integrating the Arts and Fiction

Choose a poem or song that you believe highlights some aspect of one of the novels/plays you read this semester. First, post the poem or song and then briefly explore its subject and tone and then make relevant connections to such elements as the novel’s themes, literary techniques, characters, setting, and imagery.  Return later in the week to respond to a classmate's post.

I just discovered Jason Grey and I absolutely love his music.  Interestingly, he has speech impediment and stutters badly, but when he's on stage he shines!  I thought his song "Down to the River" was so perfect for The Awakening that I actually listened to it and typed the lyrics, since they're not on the net.  The bold text-lyrics reflect the novel so well.  I feel as if Edna could be the speaker!  Enjoy ~

I am going to the river. I’m gonna lay my body down.

Let it take me where it will as it picks my feet up off the ground.

I may get carried away, as the water leads the dance,

But I go to the river because I’m ready to take a chance.

 

CHORUS

 

I’m going down, down.

I’m going down.

Down to the river,

I’m gonna let it carry me.

Oh yes I go down to the river.

I’m gonna let it cover me.

 

I used think the river was a barrier to cross—

till I knelt by the water and found a good place to be lost.

See I’ve got a need to surrender to something bigger than me.

So I go to the river to let it set me free.

 

Chorus

 

And when I stand before the river I will strip down to my skin

because I believe when I jump the water will take me in—

Cleanse me, carry me, upon its back deliver me.

Down the river to the sea

Down the river to the sea

Chorus

I’m going down, down.

I’m going down,

down to the river

I’m gonna let it carry me.

Oh yes I go down to the river

I’m gonna let it cover me

I’m going down to the river, yeah

Would you like to go with me?

 

Though the path may twist and turn, the course will not be swayed.

The river knows where it’s going and it always finds the way.

 

 

Comments

[Caitlin]

This was the first song that popped into my head...

Facedown by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Hey girl you know you drive me crazy
one look puts the rhythm in my hand.
Still I'll never understand why you hang around
I see what's going down.

Cover up with make up in the mirror
tell yourself it's never gonna happen again
you cry alone and then he swears he loves you.

Do you feel like a man
when you push her around?
Do you feel better now as she falls to the ground?
Well I'll tell you my friend, one day this world's going to end
as your lies crumble down, a new life she has found.

A pebble in the water makes a ripple effect
every action in this world will bear a consequence
If you wade around forever you will surely drown
I see what's going down.

I see the way you go and say you're right again,
say you're right again
heed my lecture

Do you feel like a man
when you push her around?
Do you feel better now as she falls to the ground?
Well I'll tell you my friend, one day this world's going to end
as your lies crumble down a new life she has.

Face down in the dirt she says, this doesn't hurt she says I finally had enough..

Face down in the dirt she says, this doesn't hurt she says I finally had enough..

One day she will tell you that she has had enough
its coming round again.

Do you feel like a man, when you push her around?
Do you feel better now as she falls to the ground?
Well I'll tell you my friend, one day this world's going to end
as your lies crumble down, a new life she has.

Do you feel like a man, when you push her around?
Do you feel better now as she falls to the ground?
Well I'll tell you my friend, one day this world's going to end
as your lies crumble down, a new life she has.

Face down in the dirt she says, this doesn't hurt she says I finally had enough

This song can relate to the book A Thousand Splendid Suns. You could look at it from Mariam or Laila's point of view. But I see it more from Mariam's. Laila fights back the entire time, whereas Mariam let's Rasheed beat her and punish her and be cruel to her when she did nothing. Then, she finally stands up for herself. That's what this song is talking about, a girl who is abused and she takes it, but one day she finally finds the strength to stop it.

I also think the lyric "you cry alone and then he swears he loves you" applies because Rasheed hates her crying at the beginning. He tells her to stop, so when she needs to cry, she has to do it alone.
The lyric "One day she will tell you that she has had enough its coming round again" obviously relates to Mariam killing Rasheed. Because after all of the hardships she endured from him, she rose up and overpowered him.

However, if looked at from Laila's perspective, the lyric "one day this world's going to end as your lies crumble down, a new life she has found" applies to her because Rasheed lied immensly to Laila about Tariq being dead, but once she finds out he is alive, she finds a new life with him.

[StephB]

I just have to tell you that I love randomly being on the blog and then refreshing and seeing that someone else has posted - especially when we are in school/class.

Hahaha - just my random thought that I had to share.

[Ms.T]

Ladies,
Good to see that you're not posting during 5th period! After all, I did leave you an AP multiple choice test today. Now get back to work.

[Amy]

"Who You'd Be Today"—The Lovely Bones

Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.
I feel you everywhere I go.
I see your smile, I see your face,
I hear you laughin' in the rain.
I still can't believe you're gone.

It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
God knows how I miss you,
All the hell that I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who'd you be today?

Would you see the world? Would you chase your dreams?
Settle down with a family,
I wonder what would you name your babies?
Some days the sky's so blue,
I feel like I can talk to you,
An' I know it might sound crazy.

It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
God knows how I miss you,
All the hell that I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who you'd be today?

Today, today, today.
Today, today, today.

Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.
The only thing that gives me hope,
Is I know I'll see you again some day.

Some day, some day, some day.

This song reminds me of Lindsey in The Lovely Bones. Throughout the book Lindsey has to cope with the death of her sister. At first the whole family is in denial that Susie is dead even though the community already has accepted this understood fact. Lindsey, in my opinion, has one of the toughest situations to deal with, not only has her sister died, she is also the spinning image of Susie. Eventually Lindsey finds a way to continue living her life without constant sorrow and without living in Susie’s shadow. Although Lindsey moves on with her life, the scar caused by her previous grief is still present and sometimes she still thinks of Susie.

[Amy]

Caitlin-I absolutely LOVE that song! It was a great choice for that book, it describes so many characters. Like you said it works with Lila and Mariam, but it also works with Mariam’s mom (was Nana her name?) and really woman in general living during this time period.

[Caitlin]

Amy, I didn't even think about Mariam's mom. That's a really good point. I liked your song choice for Lindsey as well. It really works perfectly, I've never lost anyone close to me, but I know it would be very hard. That song gives me a bit of an idea about what it would be like and only a glimpse on how hard it would be. And Lindsey definitely went through that, losing a sister would be so tragic, but Lindsey got through it. It could also be used for the little brother because I remember he saw Susie in places as well, although he was too young to comprehend what happened. And also, was that song used in a project that Ms. Thompson showed us at the beginning of the school year? Because I recognize it from somewhere.

[salsaboy]

Caitlin...
First, LOVE THAT SONG!!!
Second, you connected it so well to A Thousand Splendid Suns. I had to think about it for a second, but what you said all makes sense: the crying, the killing, the happy ending. It all fits so perfectly! Nicely done! :D

[Amy]

Caitlin-oh yeah it was I had forgoten about that, good memory! And the brother does fit with it too, didn't think of that one either haha

[StephB]

So funnily enough even though this song talks about 'Stella' it is not actually about a Streetcar Named Desire, though it fits really well!

Stella - All Time Low

3pm
On my feet and staggering
Through misplaced words and a sinking feeling
I got carried away,
Sick, Sick of sleeping on the floor
Another night another score
I'm jaded, bottles breaking

[Chorus]
You're only happy when I'm wasted
I point my finger but I just can't place it
Feels like I'm falling in love
When I'm falling to the bathroom floor
I remember how you tasted
I've had you so many times- lets face it
Feels like I'm falling in love alone
Stella would you take me home?
[/]

2am I'm on a blackout binge again
You know I don't need sleep
And I lost my keys,
But I've got so many friends
And they keep, keep me coming back for more
Another night another score
I'm faded, bottles breaking

[Chorus x1]

One more reason I should never have met you
Just another reason I could never forget you
Down we go, the rooms spinning outta control
Lose yourself in a chemical moment
The night life's taking it's toll
Thats just the way it goes
Come on, Stella would you take me home?

[Chorus x3]

This song reminds me of Stanley from A Streetcar Named Desire not only for the appropriate use of 'Stella' but for the story that occurs. Stanley drinks and ends up driving his wife away through being 'carried away'. He drives Stella upstairs after he hits her but it is at this point in the story that we really see how much Stella loves him when she returns to him after his drunken attack on her. Their relationship, or 'love' is revealed when he is maddeningly drunk. Even though the song is actually written about Stella Artois, an alcohol, it works as if Stanley is calling out to Stella to 'take [him] home' because that is just what he does in the story.

[Account Deleted]

“Seven Years” by Norah Jones

Spinning, laughing, dancing to
her favorite song
A little girl with nothing wrong
Is all alone

Eyes wide open
Always hoping for the sun
And she'll sing her song to anyone
that comes along

Fragile as a leaf in autumn
Just fallin' to the ground
Without a sound

Crooked little smile on her face
Tells a tale of grace
That's all her own

Spinning, laughing, dancing to her favorite song
A little girl with nothing wrong
And she's all alone

This song, “Seven Years”, reminds me of Missy in The Shack (even though Missy was six). I think the lyrics portray Missy’s innocence, purity, and frailty. I want to imagine Mack sees something like this when he remembers Missy. Not alone, but with “Eyes wide open/Always hoping for the sun”. Missy will forever be his little girl.

[lllleeexxxx]

Don't Ask - Grizzly Bear

It's a call
I fell into your arms that night
Don't ask
It's the time we had apart to sort things out
Just don't ask
It's the work you say you're doing
But baby, I don't even ask
It's the love that came undone between us
and nobody ever asks
There's a place and time for everything I know
Don't ask
But when I'm around you still I lose control
Just don't ask
You suggest the struggle goes both ways
but baby, I don't even ask
I just wish you had a little faith
but I'm learning not to ask

This song represents the relationship between Biff and Willy in The Death of a Salesman. Biff never spoke to his dad and if only he had asked about his dad's livelihood and opinion more things could have been different between the two of them. The truth is that Willy has no faith in his children. He only considers them the ideal sons because in his opinion he raised them like a traditional father. This song just fits perfectly even if it says baby in it, ha.

[Polo Bear]

Bad Day-Daniel Powter
Where is the moment we needed the most?
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to grey
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on

You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee to go
They tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces every time
And I don't need no carryin' on

?Cause you had a bad day, you're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know, you tell me don't lie
You work on a smile and you go for a ride

You had a bad day, the camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

Well you need a blue sky holiday
The point is they laugh at what you say
And I don't need no carryin' on

You had a bad day, you're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know, you tell me don't lie
You work on a smile and you go for a ride

You had a bad day, the camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
Mmm, on a holiday

Sometimes the system goes on the blink
And the whole thing it turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be well oh that strong
And I'm not wrong

So where was the passion when you need it the most?
Oh you and I
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost

?Cause you had a bad day, you're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know, you tell me don't lie
You work on a smile and you go for a ride

You had a bad day, you see what you're like
And how does it feel a one more time?
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

Had a bad day
Had a bad day
Had a bad day

This song connects to Death of a Salesman because of all the things that are going wrong in Willy's life. He has had years of bad days and during the play the last act is his worst day. In fact The whole play revolves around the bad days in his life which include the day Biff finds him committing adultery and also the last day of his life when he sees that all the hopes he had for his childrens new endeavors have failed.

And if you guys are wondering why I'm posting at 2 in the morning it's because I watched Paranormal Activity and may be having trouble sleeping.

[salsaboy]

Attack- 30 Seconds to Mars

I won't suffer, be broken, get tired, or wasted
Surrender to nothing, or give up what I
Started and stopped it, from end to beginning
A new day is coming, and I am finally free

Run away, run away, I'll attack
Run away, run away, go chase yourself
Run away, run away, now I'll attack
I'll attack, I'll aa-WHOOOAAAAAAAAA

I would have kept you, forever, but we had to sever
It ended for both of us, faster than a
Kill off this thinking, it's starting to sink in
I'm losing control now, and without you I can finally see

Run away, run away, I'll attack
Run away, run away, go chase yourself
Run away, run away, now I'll attack
I'll attack, I'll aa-WHOOOAAAAAAAAA

Your promises, they look like lies
Your honesty, like a back that hides a knife (knife)
I promise you (promise you)
I promise you (promise you)
And I am finally free

Run away, run away, I'll attack
Run away, run away, go chase yourself
Run away, run away, now I'll attack
I'll attack, I'll attack, I will attack

Run away, I'll attack, I will attack
Run away, I'll attack, I will attack

Run away (Run away), I'll attack (I'll attack)
I'll aa-WHOOOAAAAAAAAA

Your promises
(promises, promises)
I promise you
(promise you)
I promise you
(promise you, promise you)

This song connects to A Thousand Splendid Suns and how Mariam’s reflections on how horrible Rasheed treated her during the course of their marriage drove her to finally murder him. The first few lines of the song reflect how Mariam felt when she finally decided to get the shovel; filled with abhorrence for how she has been treated since she was fifteen years old. “A new day is coming, and I am finally free” is the state of both Mariam and Laila after Rasheed’s death. Released from the bonds of marriage, both women can live freely, if only they can escape from their current circumstances in Kabul. “Run away, run away” is basically the only way that these women can live freely, or live at all after what Mariam did to Rasheed. Finally free from the oppression of her husband, Laila and Tariq run away to start a new life together without persecution or harm.

[LaurelD]

Guardian Angel- Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

When I see your smile
Tears roll down my face
I can't replace

And now that I'm strong I have figured out
How this world turns cold and it breaks through my soul,
And I know I'll find deep inside me, I can be the one

I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all,
Even if saving you sends me to heaven

It's ok (3x)

Seasons are changing and waves are crashing
And stars are falling all for us
Days grow longer and nights grow shorter
I can show you I'll be the one

I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all,
Even if saving you sends me to heaven

Cause you're my
You're my, my
My true love
My whole heart
Please don't throw that away

Cause I'm here, for you
Please don't walk away and
Please tell me you'll stay, stay

Use me as you will
Pull my strings just for a thrill
And I know I'll be okay
Though my skies are turning gray

I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to heaven

Alright, so the first thing that popped into my head was this song when I thought about A Thousand Splendid Suns. Although, the book has so much hate and violence in it, I found the aspect of love to be the most powerful theme in the novel. This song talks about love in the most beautiful way. The singer says, “you’re my true love my whole heart” This reminded me of Laila and her daughter Aziza. Laila loves her daughter so much and will do anything in the world to protect her. The next thought I had was Laila and Mariam’s love. These two women are forced together under awful circumstances, but somehow the two women manage to form a bond that is so strong and beautiful. For any of you who have read the book, you know that Mariam and Laila stand up for each other even though they know the possible outcome could be death. In the end, Mariam gives her life to protect Laila and her children. Her final act is her ultimate testament of love. Even though the world these women live in is a terrible and cold place, they find a reason to live which is each other. In my opinion, this song tells their story perfectly.

[LaurelD]

Tyler,
My love of 30 Seconds to Mars means I should comment on your post. I never even considered this song when I was thinking of what to write about, but I think you applied it really well to ATSS. The song followed the action of the novel really well too, so good job with your analysis.

Stephanie,
I love that song! I was thinking the same thing after I read Streetcar... I really enjoyed your analysis. You do a good job with your connections.

[stud hoss]

Oh oooo oh
It ain't rained in a month
Mama done took a job part time at the five and dime
Lord, times is hard, Daddy's pride is really hurtin', feelin' less than a man.
Workin' dark to dark, how much more can he stand?
I ain't never seen him cry now I'm 17
Quarterback, first train, gave my high school ring
to the prettiest little girl, green eyes and red hair.
I think I might ask her to marry me tonight at the fair.
I ain't never been so torn, should I stay or leave?
Get out of this small town, am I lettin' 'em down?
I could even play ball somewhere in the fall.
Live the big city life, I guess I could have it all..

[Chorus:]
Lord, I'm twisted, I feel the stress that's hangin on me,
And all this pain in my family - they all depend on me.
Lord, I'm twisted, I feel the stress that's hangin on me,
And all the pain in my family - they all depend on me.
Lord, I'm twisted.

Man, how do you decide between real life and a dream?
Lovin' ya Ma and Pa, ya girl, and ya team
Trying to figure out the next move to make,
Trying to figure out the right road to take.
Dying to get out, but still afraid to roam.
Is it wrong to wanna leave the only place I've known?
Life as I know it is just simple and plain:
Chores, school, and practice, everyday is the same.
I'm tired of the routine and everyone knowing me.
I'm dreaming of everything the t.v. is showing me.
They promised me a full ride to UCLA,
But that's a whole 'nother world for small town G.A.
Lord, I'm askin', I hope you hear my prayer
Cuz I'm torn between here and what I see over there.
I pray someway that you could give me a sign.
Tell me which way to go cuz I sure don't know.

[Chorus:]
I don't know (sang in background)
Lord, I'm twisted, I feel the stress that's hangin on me,
And all this pain in my family - they all depend on me.
[ Colt Ford Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]
Lord, I'm twisted, I feel the stress that's hangin on me,
And all the pain in my family - they all depend on me.
Lord, I'm twisted.

Lord, we're one win away from winning it all,
And I'm a plan flight away from seeing my first ball.
I can finally see the ocean and stars of Hollywood.
Say bye to this damn farm, get a tattoo on my arm.
Forget these dirt roads and the way I was raised.
Chase the bright lights of the California nights.
Sports cars and sushi is all I see.
When I order some sweet tea they start laughin' at me
Boy, this new life ain't what I thought it would be.
Maybe the city life ain't made for me.
Now I'm wishing I was fishin' on the lake with Dad,
And starting to realize being country ain't bad.
I miss that ol' farm and that red headed girl
And waking up before the sun to help Daddy get it done.
I'm packed and headed back to the place I was born.
Proud to be country and no longer torn

[Chorus:]
Lord, I'm twisted, I feel the stress that's hangin' on me,
And all this pain in my family - they all depend on me.
Lord, I'm twisted, I feel the stress that's hangin' on me,
And all the pain in my family - they all depend on me.
Lord, I'm twisted. yeah. Lord, I'm twisted. oh yeah
I don't know, I don't know, I don't know
If I should wait or should I go, I just don't know

This song is for everybody, no matter whether you're from a small town,
The hood, the big city, it don't matter - Everybody's got their dreams they wanna follow.
Some people are ashamed of where they're from, they don't know where they're
Supposed to be. Everybody find your place in life, be proud of who you are.
Don't let nothing hold you back.

Just take me home..oh take me home

This song relates to The Shack. The main character in The Shack relies on and finds trust in God. This song is about God showing this person the right way and guiding him in the right direction. That relates perfectly to The Shack.

[stud hoss]

My song choice was "Twisted" by Colt Ford.

Caitlin- I have not read A Thousand Splendid Suns but from what I have heard that was a perfect song choice. I have heard that the man beats on the girl or wife, I'm not sure which one it is, but your song choice portrays that perfectly.

[Ca$hD]

Numb by Linkin Park

i'm tired of being what you want me to be
feeling so faithless
lost under the surface
i don't know what you're expecting of me
put under the pressure
of walking in your shoes
[caught in the undertow / just caught in the undertow]
every step that i take is another mistake to you

i've
become so numb
i can't feel you there
become so tired
so much more aware
i'm becoming this
all i want to do
is be more like me
and be less like you

can't you see that you're smothering me
holding too tightly
afraid to lose control
cause everything that you thought i would be
has fallen apart right in front of you

[caught in the undertow / just caught in the undertow]
every step that i take is another mistake to you
[caught in the undertow / just caught in the undertow]
and every second i waste is more than i can take

but i know
i may end up failing too
but i know
you were just like me
with someone disappointed in you

This song reminds me of Edna in The Awakening because she was trapped and confined by her husband Leonce. He wanted her to be the ideal mother and wife that other women in their society were, but that is not who Edna wanted to be. Edna fought to be free from her husband and the life he wanted her to live throughout the entire novel. She wanted to be herself and be an independent woman. I also think that the "caught in the undertow" part is appropriate because Edna does in fact get caught in the undertow of the sea at the end of the novel. The pull of the undertow is just like the pull Edna felt from society and her husband.

[Ca$hD]

Chandler- I picture Missy from The Shack like the girl in your song also. A happy, dancing, innocent child.

StephB- I also like the song you chose for Stanley from Streetcar. It is so appropriate because of his addiction to alcohol and how it affets his relationship with Stella.

[Kellis]

Star Mile - Joshua Radin

Oh doubt and the girl by your side
She's feeding your pride
As you go for a ride
Down the Star Mile

Worlds arise as she lets you come in
A duo begins
To the Hollywood Inn
Of the lonely

And all the gold dust in her eyes won't reform into rain
You had and lost the one thing
You kept in a safe place
Remember the face
Of the girl who had made you her own
And how you left her alone

All's well at the base of the hill
You might need to fill
A prescription to kill
Off the silence.

Look down from your tower on high
And take in the night
Look her right in the eye
She'll listen

And all the gold dust in her eyes won't reform into rain
You had and lost the one thing
You kept in a safe place
Remember the face
Of the girl who had made you her own
And how you left her alone

Life goes to those that are true
The regular news
Over playing the blues
With the light on

And if you burn the road
That'll lead you back to her in time
I watch you turn to stone
You can't find the sublime

She's moving on without you
The tide breaks
You watch the stars fade
They gather you back to their home
I guess it's better than being alone

This song reminds me of Tariq’s conflict in A Thousand Splendid Suns. Tariq and Laila have been friends practically all their lives. As they grow older and develop deeper feelings for each other, a long-awaited romance begins. This connects with the lyrics “Worlds arise as she lets you come in A duo begins,” because at the same time, war is breaking out in Afghanistan. When Tariq’s family decides to leave Kabul, fearing the danger of war, Tariq and Laila have to bid farewell after a long-time friendship and short-lived romance. The story is told in third-person limited so, once Tariq moves away, his story is no longer told other than through Laila’s reactions to his absence. However, this song represents how I imagine he feels as he is away from Laila. The chorus (“You had and lost the one thing You kept in a safe place Remember the face Of the girl who had made you her own And how you left her alone”) connects clearly as Tariq feels lonely without Laila and guilty that he left her to survive the conflicting world alone. Away for about a decade, Tariq worries that “She's moving on without [him]” and that he may have “burn[ed] the road That'll lead [him] back to her in time.” With so many miles between Laila and himself, Tariq struggles with these concerns but never gives up hope and eventually comes back to Kabul for his one true love.

[Kellis]

Cashin- I love your song choice. The lyrics connect so well with Edna in The Awakening because she could no longer handle being what everone else expected of her. Your analysis was great, especially making the connection between the line "caught in the undertow" and her suicide.

[DinaZ]

Cath- Death Cab for Cutie

Cath, she stands with a well-intentioned man
But she can't relax with his hand on the small of her back
And as the flashbulbs burst
She holds a smile like someone would hold a crying child

And soon everybody will ask what became of you
'Cause your heart was dying fast, and you didn't know what to do

Cath, it seems that you live in someone else's dream
In a hand-me-down wedding dress
Where the things that could have been are repressed
But you said your vows, and you closed the door
On so many men who would have loved you more

And soon everybody will ask what became of you
'Cause your heart was dying fast, and you didn't know what to do

The whispers that it won't last roll up and down the pews
But if their hearts were dying that fast,
They'd have done the same as you
And I'd have done the same as you

This song, to me, parallels Edna’s struggle throughout The Awakening. Though she lives a proper, ideal life with a “well-intentioned man”- in this case, Leonce, a man who gives her wealth and nice things and a family- she can’t relax or be happy because she realizes she does not truly love him. And even though Adele questions her intentions and actions- “and soon everybody will ask what became of you”- she simply feels hopeless because she feels so constrained and caged in her own life and by societal standards of the time. However, she comes to recognize that there could have been other men that she could have been happier with- that could have loved her and not just been there to supply her for materialistic things.

[DinaZ]

Lisandro-
I felt that that song gives a really simplistic view of Willy’s life. I really like that you picked it. I mean, if you get down to the bare minimum of Willy’s deepest struggle- it really is about him having these bad days that deteriorate his spirit. So… kudos on the song choice.

Cashin!-
I’m actually surprised you’d pick Linkin Park as your first choice- but you’re right in that it describes Edna’s progressing decline throughout her consecutive awakenings. She no longer has emotion for the world and her family- she’s simply ‘numb.’ :)

[5HopeG]

White Lies by Paolo Nutini

There's a heart on the line, and it rests with your eyes

Please don't fade and please don't cry, 'cause it's all white lies

Take a chance watch it fall, grab too much and lose it all

Now I've lost my disguise, it was all white lies

Stay here, lie here with me, oh lo-fi, lonely sighs

I will roam lost but never alone, hide with me, hide

Would it help if I tried, or has it sailed and passed me by

First love grows then it does, and it's all white lies

Stay here, lie here with me, oh lo-fi, lonely sighs

I will roam lost but never alone, hide with me, hide with me

Now you move with the tide and I’ve heard you've found peace of mind

And I know that life's design moves around white lies, white lies, white lies, white lies

I think that this song relates to Edna Pontellier from The Awakening. In the beginning of the song, it explains that a person has deep feeling for someone, but the person is at a point in their life where they might lose everything due to their insanity, like Edna. She wears a “disguise” which makes her appear happy about her friends and family. The chorus reminds me of the relationship between Edna and Robert. She wants to leave her lifestyle and “hide” with him, but when Robert is in Mexico she shares her time with Alcee. The last lines of the song definitely remind me of Edna because it talks about someone moving along with the tide. Edna commits suicide in the ocean and finally finds peace in her mind. Some people see Edna’s choice of suicide as heroic and others see it as selfish, but either way she escapes from a life that was filled with lies.

[5HopeG]

Laurel: I love how you chose to talk about the friendship between Mariam and Laila. I agree that although the book highlights abuse in their culture, one of the themes in the book is love.