Point of View (POV)

Gaston

By: William Saroyan

Every details of the story must be filtered by the readers.  Along with, the point of view of characters’ voice throughout is very crucial in understanding a certain story. POV is the outlook in taking into account of things, wherein it shows the emotion of personages involved inside the story. It is also a reflection of an opinion which has been taken from the experience of an author; it might be in real life or just an imagination. In literature, it serves as a lens in which readers look at the world. Point of view is the way the author allows you to "see" and "hear" what's going on.

In the story “Gaston”, an experience of a six-years-old girl during her first visit would be limited to a one person. By shifting point of view and narrative distance in the story; it allows us to see the experience and the personality of the characters. On the grand scale, during the visit, the girl appears to be connected to her father and enlightened by his characteristics. Saroyan offers us in his story the image of an imaginative, compassionate, and somewhat pitiful father. In my point of view, the father, who is comfortable and kind, with his great love and care towards his daughter seems to have positive impacts on the young girl’s attitude albeit happens only for a short moment. 

Saroyan used third person POV to highlight the commonalities of the father and daughter at the beginning of the book. As it progresses it shifts from third person to first person focusing on a single character. He recognizes the limits of his own perspective and ideas of comparing life into a flawed peach and thus allows other characters to add depth. These stories enable Saroyan to communicate some “truth” about peoples’ attitude towards life through the actions of character. As soon as, a bug move off in the peach down to the white plate. There came a thoughtful stop in their minds. Then, after a continuous explanation given by the father, the girl asked “Aren’t you going to squash him?” while the father’s response is; “No, of course not, why should I?” then her comeback; “Everybody hollers when a bug comes out of an apple, but you don’t holler or anything.” The sequencing of the conversation (POV) and the power of the thoughts make a word for their attitude.

Moreover, many of the statement shifts in point of view then comes with a greater understanding of the whole story; it doesn’t show only the opinion of the author but also the feelings of the character. For example, when her mother relates to her that her father’s action was constantly known since they were together before. “Somebody get a peach with a bug in it, and throws it away, but not him. He makes up a lot of foolishness about it.”  Furthermore, with this statement, the mother seems to stand as a narrator for she conveys the entire father’s action in a third person POV form.

 In other case, in which both POV were combined and shift within a single statement “Gaston is right here, just outside his broken house, and I’m not angry at you.” Similar with the third POV, the girl acts as the narrator by telling what’s happening about Gaston but it doesn’t reveal the character’s inner thought. However, you would notice on the end part of the statement, the girl used first person POV using “I” in a form of contraction “I’m”. Thus, there is an easy shifting of POV occurs in which it determines what the girl feels about.  To think seriously, this tactic of changing point of view is obviously more difficult to apply to narrative non-fiction, but the idea of looking outside oneself for insight and variation is something that can be utilized to help create cohesion and depth within the story.

Metaphysical Conceit

A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning

By: John Donne

Aside from the poet has created a well-crafted piece, "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning", John Donne has also produced a timeless poem because of its exquisite concealed messages. As you’ve  heard the title, it seems to suggest that the poem is all about dull, brooding and sorrow but you would not believe that this is all about love unless you have read and analyze each lines and every single word in it. Donne used orthodox illustration in which ordinary ideas are used to create resemblance, offering insight into something profound importance which was said to be a Metaphysical conceit. “A Valediction” of Donne was made of a startling usage of imagery; an extremely ingenious parallel between apparently incongruous objects. Metaphysical conceit sets up an analogy between one entity’s spiritual qualities and an object in the physical world and sometimes controls the whole structure of the poem. Metaphysical conceit is really effective when the reader is about to identify directly the poet's meaning, regardless of the sudden nature of the comparison in a poem.

The poem, "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning" was inevitably offering a metaphysical conceit, let’s take a look ,on its opening word, we could notice that Donne used “As” and if you’re not aware of its meaning you might get confused by thinking that it is “While” where in fact it really means “Like”. However, the second stanza serves as a context clue that enables the reader to understand both lines. So, at the very beginning it immediately used an extended simile comparing the death of virtuous men to the separation of the two lovers. The stanza compares the dying of virtuous men to the lover’s upcoming separation from his beloved. This is an unusual analogy but Donne's purpose is to explain that the virtuous accept both death and separation calmly and without fear "As virtuous men pass mildly' away”, “And whisper to their souls to go.”, while others may fear death, the truly pious will journey to the hereafter with quiet resignation and even a bit of optimism. To emphasize the peacefulness of virtuous men's deaths, Donne adds that death comes so unnoticeably that friends cannot tell if the last breath has actually vanished "Whilst some of their sad friends do say”, “The breath goes now, and some say, No." In both images, the person who’s experiencing the actions has the understanding that outsiders do not. The mournful friends do not know that the dying man is undaunted and tranquil about death, nor do they know if he has yet died. The public will not know the rock bottom of their love, as they face separation. For them, being away with each other is like being a dead man. This stanza's unruffled manner compares with a great deal of Donne's poetry, which often unwrap with great drama and passion.

Donne used an imagery of a beaten gold, as you can see on the sixth stanza, "Our two souls therefore, which are one,” “Though I must go, endure not yet” “A breach, but an expansion,” ”Like gold to airy thinness beat.” Donne fall out that if their souls are one, then his departure does not indicate a "breach" or division, but rather an expansion or a stretching. As the maxim goes by; “Absence makes the heart grows fonder” which signifies that being away doesn’t have to rift the love they had but rather increase their longing and love with each other. Anon, he compares their love to a gold which was durable, valuable and ductile. Thus, gold is obviously analogous to the kind of love the poet describes. If you would bear in mind, Donne gone further to its deepest meaning by taking the ability of the gold as malleable. He compares it to change shape and to expand with the lover's capability to twist the stipulation yet keep each other sanctified love as depicted in the poem” To tell the laity our love.”; by virtue of their unfathomable union. Gold's qualities define the term love for both have commonalities: it can be melted and merged as suggested in line twenty-one; in the annealed state it can be hammered cold into a translucent wafer, so it can be also elongated. This resemblance is well measured because it works from every angle of love. Mutually, gold and love can be melted and merged; both can be "hammered" and yet remain tough and essentially unchanged. The allusion to gold, as valuable metal, also correspond his view of their bond as something precious and rare.

Donne develops the compass imagery that has become almost synonymous with the term "metaphysical conceit" in the existing literary dissertation. The image is first presented in the seventh stanza: “If they be two, they are two so” “As stiff twin compasses are two;” Thy soul, the fixed foot, makes no show” ”To move, but doth, if th' other do." At this point, Donne is referring to a mathematical compass. The compass in itself calls to mind stiffness for the center leg is unmovable. This explains that his loved is the stationary leg in the center, whilst the outer leg must be him. This idea brought out the connection of the eight stanza “And though it in the center sit,” “Yet when the other far doth roam,” “It leans and hearkens after it,” “And grows erect, as that comes home." With the poet portrayal of the lovers as two legs of a compass, the poet seems to state that two legs were at the height of structural separation but not of a broken separation. So it means that they are still connected with each other. And, this is the hallmarks of their unconditional love. Both of them were in working in tandem, the “fixed foot” is her and the other foot roaming around far is him. The sturdiness of her supports to the movement of him that makes his circle just. The circle made by a mathematical compass doesn’t define as perfect but rather infinity. Donne acknowledges when he remarks, "Yet when the other far doth roam,” “It leans and hearkens after it." When the travels come to an end, and the lovers are reunited, they both stand tall and remain steadfastly side by side, as the two legs of a closed compass which has been mentioned “And grows erect, as that comes home." 

Butterfly Effect

Being a child can be considered as the best stage of a person’s life. Why? Because, you can smile without worries, you can laugh without problems, and you can dream as like as fantasies that have no ending. However, how much would you like to stay being a child it’s still impossible. Like a caterpillar, they never stay being a caterpillar they get out on their cocoon and later spread their wings to become a beautiful butterfly. But along their metamorphosis, they need to face the struggle diligently and even allow their self to get hurt; doing such many sacrifices enable them to show their essence and beauty.

T’was the dawning of a glorious Sunday, when I was formed with my own little way, I started to stretch forth my wings. The wings I brought to everyone has an effect; this may made them happy, heart-rending, upset, suffer or abhorrence. This effect is the thing I called “Butterfly Effect”.

I tried out to make everyone happy instead of the negative attitude I’d think they might acquire. In the corral where I belong, I don’t feel the intense sadness but as the time goes on, everything changes. While the infinity of a prolific metaphor is true, all true, the Butterfly effect and so many little things can change the world. How can I find an orchestra leader so I can do the tuning right for the better? How can I?

As I look unto the old times, growing with my parents; my life becomes typical, living in a simple home with a happy family. On the other hand, when I left my innocent mind, the yoke that sprout inside the home is passionately horrendous. The separation of my family was the biggest amendment, it becomes the most horrible thing that happened in my life that I can’t ever forget, not because I was so emotional but it was the moment that made my life miserable. Moreover, if this crisis is not addressed, I may be cause to stop putting forth as much effort, or to cease engaging to continue in life, despite the fact that I’ve experience the dreadful jiffy. Societies therefore try to provide answers about why people who engage in a bad situation prosper.

Furthermore, I got the worst balky wings ever that I can’t flap my wings freely. That situation gave me the feeling of resentment.  Herein a question arouse in my mind, why do they need to be apart? Yes, I came very hysterical; I’m being worried about what will happen next? What will happen to me? Would there be a chance to bring back one of the most important pieces in my puzzled life?

                Although it happened many years ago in my life, I never mind it in a long period of time but instead I made this struggle as my strength. I continued living despite of the trials that comes on my way. I now boldly declared; I know that all of these are just obstacles in my life that I must surpass in order for me to pursue my dreams. And faith is one of the key to demolish this entire blockage in my life. An answer to individuals commonly gives to resolve this crisis is that life is simply not fair. This is often connected to the concept that nothing is perfect. Life is always having its own downs and ups just like a wheels.         
   

                Resembling to a butterfly, I probably thinking that if raindrops can hurt some well-meaning fingers might, too as butterfly; reminiscent of what I receive from the experienced I had; I get hurt too. And I'd been dying inside. But does that mean the omnipresent legend that a butterfly will die if you simply touch its wings is true? Not necessarily.

While I don't want to manhandle the beautiful creatures, my cousin had trapped the butterfly for days to track their whereabouts. My cousin use nets to corral the flying insects, then gently scrape enough scales from a small area to expose the wing's clear membrane. Next he attaches a small tag to the wings and let them go. Among other insights, has been clear to my mind, it revealed much about the voyage of monarch butterflies. The butterfly continues to exist and start to fly with an eager purpose that it flaps it wings differently unlike before; the butterfly flap its wings more supremacy and faster.

Not only do butterflies survive these seemingly traumatic encounters, but they've also been known to fly away from bird attacks and yes, even rainstorms, unscathed. Some have even flown away after having a small portion of their wing torn off.

Astounding feats of survival notwithstanding, I have seen the life I have to that butterfly. It open ups the childlike innocent of mine. I can’t see the vaguely fond of how life would be different in its own simple way even my wings torn off. And its effect, that’s “the butterfly effect” which causes to change the life I had.  I commence my new life with a happy thoughts and a blissful perspective. .I quoted the famous saying that; “no one in this world is permanent except the word changes’. That’s true, you may not know when or where you might fall or arise, but keep in your mind that God is good all the time, he will not let his children fall. And you should always bear in your mind to keep believing in yourself as well as to have the courage to stand after the many falls you have done. No one can deny the fact that the outgrowths of the world today are those who work and work hard, those who walk would reach their destination, those who strive, achieve yet those who do not work, get no profit and those who stand and stare, are left behind. I felt blessed until now because I build up a family with good relationships. For now, I was thankful with all the trials and hardships that come on my journey. Then again, the secret of the success is my guiding principle in life: “God helps those who help their self”.

                Thus, if God allowed you to go through your life without any obstacles, it would cripple you. You would not be as strong as what you could have today. And you could never learn how to fly.

As Within So Without

Wherever you go, even from the grandest locale in the Manila which existed prior to the arrivals of the Spaniards, referred as “Tundun” on the Laguna Copperplate Inscription. Tondo is known for being one of the poorest and most underdeveloped area in the country. Many of the slums are found in this area; poor street vendors in the corridors of Juan Luna who form it as a social base.

Perhaps you’re thinking that you must not be affected with all of these words, just because you are not in the situation. Nevertheless, I would like to open up in your minds that you were wrong. I believe that whatever may happen in this world, it still has the connection to every individual particularly when it is happening on your own country. Even you are a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher, a student or a standbyer; if you submit yourself to the so called “rough-smooth existence” you are subject to the course of “how life works”.

Everybody wishes a good life. It may be at different levels. One person may define a good life one way and another may describe it another way. For one person a good life may be just having three meals a day and a roof over their head. For another, it may be having a massive mansion and a million peso in the bank. There are different levels and meanings to what a good life is. But whatever your definition of it, there is perhaps one thing that you may have in common with many other people. You might want that good life stress free. You would like to have it without having to work so hard or struggle so much for it. That is a normal human expectation. Nobody likes to struggle through rough-existence.

Unfortunately, that is also what may be stopping you from having that great life. The thought of all that work, all that planning, overcoming obstacle and resistance is enough to make a lot of people give up before they even start. It can all seem too awe-inspiring, and for many it all just doesn’t seem be worth it. It’s like being drained of energy just at the thought of running a marathon. Before you are even at the starting line the thought of all that running just scares you and tires you so much mentally you just decide not to go for it. It’s just too hard.

However, if you know hot to deal with your rough-existence you would control it and turn it to be in a smooth experience. The negative circumstances of your life are like symptoms of a disease. They are not the problem but they are the signs of the problem. they are not to be thrown for they meant to be used as a guide to resolve the problem. As Dr. Robert Schuller made mention, "Tough times never last but tough people do."

Life is like a mirror, everything is a criticism. The essential notion behind criticism is that everything that you experienced in life is a reflection of yourself. Thecircumstances of your life can speak volumes about the person you have turned out to be.

Criticism is like the image that you see when you stand before the mirror. It is not real thing but it may represent the real thing in many ways. It represents you, the object before the mirror. It is the result, after having many circumstances in life.

Criticism is a cross cutting idea which will help you improve every piece of your life. By monitoring the results you are getting in every area of your life, you will be able to fine-tune your thoughts, feelings and actions accordingly. Every facet of your life experience is a mere reaction or response to the essence of who you are; much more, the kind of person you have become.

As a student, we come across many challenges in the roads of life. There will be struggle, there will be bad days. Days which would go on and on, several times we get fail on quizzes or exams which would keep hurting us till the end of the day. Many of us actually would give up but the people who won’t will be the ones to face the brighter side of the day. The night is  the darkest before dawn but how can we forget the rainbow after the rain? We understand to appreciate, to give chance, to endure, to find pleasure, to please ourselves but what we do not understand is ourselves during all of this.

Hence, at the end of the journey everything depends on you because everything is a projection of your thoughts; your consciousness. If anything affects you, it is up to you to change. This is the reason why we could surmount our own challenges; it is because we have the power to overcome our thoughts. As the cliché saying goes:" If life hands you lemons, make a lemonade". Accepting that life is hard comes with accepting that you have the responsibility to make it better. Not because you have that responsibility but because you have the power and ability to make it better. 

Don’t try to change the man in the mirror instead make him a better one. Not because I told you so, but I think that it would be just vain if you change him so. Misery is what happens every time you run away in your own circumstances; so face it and never change the topic. The thing you can bring good in your life is not by working on the man inside the mirror but the man in front of it who decides for everything. When the man in front of the mirror is courageous, the man inside will follow smoothly. And on the other hand, what you are inside will ultimately be projected outside; “As within so without”.