a random Saturday afternoon update: state of the Jules
I've finally filled out my organ donor card. Yay!
Also, The Picture of Dorian Gray is a nightmare to write about because the narrative is just so multi-layered. You have a critique of Victorian values through aestheticism but at the same time the text problematises the nature of its own reading; it insists that art cannot influence its reader into action, but Dorian's own reading (of the "yellow book" that's so "poisonous") makes him act out his impulses. Or something. I don't know. It poses a bit of problem for me because I can't very well ignore one of these aspects, now can I? *sigh* Well, just six more pages till tomorrow evening and then I'm done with this for the time being, even though it's so damn interesting. And the degeneration part I've got to delve into now is easier to deal with than discussing the text's decadence since I've already written a shorter essay on that aspect. I wish I had more time to really get into this but alas, apparently that's not what anyone expects from me, judging from my grades. What I do totally satisfies my professors in every aspect even though nothing has satisfied me quite yet (except maybe my presentation on Jane Austen's reception history and presence in pop culture. That one was excellent, if I may say so myself). /academic blah
It's hot outside and I don't have the time to enjoy it! This is a pity because who knows how well Manchester will treat me weather-wise? I should make the best of my remaining time in Berlin. Not today though... ESSAY. NOW.
Hours later: And now I've drunk too much coffee to actually concentrate on my arguments. AHAHAHA OH WTF.
Also, The Picture of Dorian Gray is a nightmare to write about because the narrative is just so multi-layered. You have a critique of Victorian values through aestheticism but at the same time the text problematises the nature of its own reading; it insists that art cannot influence its reader into action, but Dorian's own reading (of the "yellow book" that's so "poisonous") makes him act out his impulses. Or something. I don't know. It poses a bit of problem for me because I can't very well ignore one of these aspects, now can I? *sigh* Well, just six more pages till tomorrow evening and then I'm done with this for the time being, even though it's so damn interesting. And the degeneration part I've got to delve into now is easier to deal with than discussing the text's decadence since I've already written a shorter essay on that aspect. I wish I had more time to really get into this but alas, apparently that's not what anyone expects from me, judging from my grades. What I do totally satisfies my professors in every aspect even though nothing has satisfied me quite yet (except maybe my presentation on Jane Austen's reception history and presence in pop culture. That one was excellent, if I may say so myself). /academic blah
It's hot outside and I don't have the time to enjoy it! This is a pity because who knows how well Manchester will treat me weather-wise? I should make the best of my remaining time in Berlin. Not today though... ESSAY. NOW.
Hours later: And now I've drunk too much coffee to actually concentrate on my arguments. AHAHAHA OH WTF.