The Happy Virus by Hafiz

Once again Hafiz’s poetry presents us with the positive energy of happiness. Even though, this poem is very concise- only four lines- the author achieves to transmit his kindhearted spirit; because he says “I caught the happy virus last night” and than he continues “It is remarkably contagious -So kiss me” this last line tells about the generous spirit that author has.Since, he did not want to retain the happiness only to himself but rather he preferred  to spread it to others through a kiss, so that everybody could share happiness.  

If It Is Not Too Dark by Hafiz

Hafiz’s poetry “If it is not too dark,” fulfilled me with positive energy and made me appreciate life in a different way. As never before, some lines that seem so simple made me think of thinks that I personally many times forget to think and do, that is live the life as it’s the last day; because often times I forget to say to people I love “I love you,” I forget to enjoy the life and so I put too much pressure on myself. Hence, this poetry made me appreciate things differently thus it made me act differently. Therefore, just as I read it I kissed my mother and said to her “I love you” and called my friends to go out, even though it is midweek. Everyone was surprised by my actions but at least it felt good and I will promise to myself that I will practice it more often.

Love Story movie

For me watching Love Story movie was amusing, because I realized how an old movie could contain elements of both the “old time,” when it was realized, and some elements that are still considered to be up-to-date. Primarily, elements of the old time I depicted in the acting style, it is interesting how acting has evolved drastically as years has passed by; in the movie acting was too theatrical while nowadays it is more natural. On the other hand, I noticed that the clothing style was very closely related with what we call as up-to-date or modern style. Ali Macgraw, the actress that played the main role had some beautiful coats and dresses that I would die to have i.e. the red dress and the camel coat. Below are some photos of the actress during the movie scenes.

Love Story by Erich Segal

In the next chapters “Love Story” developed in a dramatic and unpredictable way.  Jennifer’s and Oliver’s teenage love, which ones seemed to be more of a childish game, turned into marriage. Furthermore, the excessive pride that Oliver and his father had hurt their relationship, and turned it into a rivalry relationship, rather than a love and support relationship that one should have with his father. However, the most important event the cause of Jennifer’s death it’s revealed near the end of the book, and this I believe is done intentionally to keep the reader’s attention until the end; so that this story would not be alike other love stories where readers can predict what will happen next, but rather a story that touches reader deeply and leaves traces in their memory. At least this was what happened to me.   

Love Story by Erich Segal

It was interesting to me how in the beginning of the story the author tells the most important event -death of Jennifer-but this does not lose readers’ attention, instead it motivates them to continue reading and find the reason of her death. Furthermore, author achieves to keep readers’ attention by describing thoroughly the entire “process” of falling in love including here: the first time of their encounter, first date and those amusing conversations where both Jenny and Oliver tried to show thyself as superior to one another, alike they were competing. However, the flow of the events tells that they feel deeply passionate for each other. Hence, complex way in which this relationship is built, adding here the invitation that Jenny received from France makes this story very attractive; and I can’t wait to read what will happen to their relationship but is heartbreaking to know that she will die.    

Unde One Small Star

“Under One Small Star” is a touching poem where the poet comprehends deepest apologize to everything that we as individuals habitually do not take time to recognize. Furthermore, I see in this poem, authors complaining voice about the egocentrism with which people are living their lives and how we think that only our issue are important. Thus many times we forget to show our human heart and that altruist person who lives inside ourselves. In one of the lines Szymborska says, “Forgive me, distant wars, for bringing flowers home” expressing how we tempt to continue our lives undisturbed, while in the other side of world people are dying- we do not care unless it touches us.

"The Filling Station" by Elizabeth Bishop

In Elizabeth Bishop’s poetry “The Filling Station” the feminine tone is easily distinct. The poetry begins with that feminine tone of a woman, who has her own ways recognizing things about the surrounding, such as the filthiness of a filling station. However, she (the poet) does not recognize only the filthiness, but through further observation she notices a delicate touch of elegance and loveliness. “Beside a big hirsute begonia/somebody waters the plant,” the author deliberately leaves unknown the person who is behind these elegant touch, in order to make readers question the author of these touches. We don’t know who planted the begot is a nia, who crocheted the doily? Is it a mother, girlfriend, some feminine touch? But at least, it is important that no matter how dirty, or clean you are there is always someone that loves you.

My Lover the Sea

In the poetry “My Lover the Sea,” the author Reinaldo Arenas intentionally has repeated some phrases such as “I am that child with the dirty face” “no doubt unwanted,” in order that he could give emphasis to the issue that had bothered him in his life. I see this poetry as reflection of suffers and rejection that author endured in his life. Given that, Reinaldo Arenas firstly was abandoned and neglect as a child, later he was persecuted for sexual and political reasons, and finally he committed suicide. “My Lover the Sea” reveals how society has portrayed the author as “unwanted” judging him for immorality and I believe the only place that he could find peace and acceptance was the sea.

Here is the link where you can read more about Reinaldo Arenas painful life:
< http://www.nytimes.com/books/98/12/06/specials/arenas-night.html>

The end of " The Stranger"

The last chapters of “The Stranger” disappointed me because all my hopes faded out, since I expected Meursault to talk and thus make people that were going to decide for his life to understand him. Hence, Meursault was sentenced to be decapitated “in the name of the French people.” Indeed, throughout the trial, not even once did I think that Meursault would be decapitated, the worst that I thought was lifetime imprisonment. As a result, I tried hard to find the true reasons that were lying underneath this bizarre decision. Questions constantly popped into my head and the once that seemed to have more sense to me where questions such as, was the execution a neutralizer of society’s conflicts at that time? Or was the execution a rejection of an individual that did not have the same morals as his society? Think of such questions maybe they will bring a new perspective of “The stranger” and they will make this story look less strange.