Final Exam: Aya Al-Hakim

1. Franz Kafka: describe the process of interpretation found in Ks and the

rabbis discussion, which follows Before the Law. (3 points)

The process of interpretation found in Ks and the rabbis discussion revolves around
multiple opinions. First, the doorkeeper is seen as fulfilling his duty, but then the rabbi
suggests that the doorkeeper might no know about the Law at all. K believes that the
doorkeeper is deluded in thinking that he understands the Law and is just as lost as the
man. Nevertheless, the rabbi doesnt say it is so for certain. Thus, K finds it a melancholy
conclusion that there is no definitie intereperation or truth to the story.

2. Classics Fables: pick one animal from a tale by either Pushkin OR the
Brothers Grimm, and explain that animals symbolic significance. (3 points)

In Little Red riding Hood, the wolf is used to symbolize danger, cunningness and blood
thirst. It is also worth nothing that this story has been widely used to warn little girls to
stay away from strange men or else theyd consume them. In the story, the wolf does
consume the grandma and he also deceives the girl by suggesting to pick flowers in the
forest as a gift. Thus, the wolf demonstrates its cunningness and thirst to consume and
tear apart what humans desire to protect.

3. Bruno Schulz: what aspects of his fathers ideas constitute heresy? (4 Points)

The fathers idea of freedom and sexism constitute heresy. He is obsessed with the birds
and their nature, but once they are freed by the servent he becomes upset. This shows the
contradiction of his thoughts and how his obsession has prevented him from accepting
the birds as they are. Moreover, even though he is a sexist, the father doesnt actively
practices it. The women in the story are able to manipulate him in order to hear more
stories. Bruno Schulz father is a madman who believes can acquire the universal, life
itself, but cant.

4. Neil Gaiman: describe how Gaiman uses the directors letter to create
suspense in Fear of Falling. (3 Points)

Gaiman uses the directors letter as a way to make us wonder on how the plot will
unravel. The fear and uncertianity of the director is materialized as a letter and we are
confronted by the question on whether the letter will be opened or not. It also suggests
the uncertainity of the director in telling the cast of his decision. Thus, chooses to hide
behind a letter. All this leads to suspense until the director receieves the dream.

5. Neil Gaiman: name the story and explain the significance of TWO (2) of the following
three images, as two separate answers. (4 points each: 2x4 = 8 points)

5B- In the story of The Parliament of Rooks, the significance of it is rooted in what
finally happens to the lone crow. It demonstrates how when an individual stands up in his
or her own community and choose to voice their opinions is put under trial by the rest.
The people start to see him as a threat to their common belief. Thus, they choose to
destroy and silence him as not to ruin societys accepted order. The risk of rebellion
against a fascist group leads to a risk of death.

5C- In The Song of Orpheus, the maenads come and offer Orpheus their company, but
he refuses. Thus, as punishment they start to eat him. This scene is significant on two
levels. The first, is that the maenads symbolize the readers who only desire to consume
stories (Orpheus symbolizes storyteller) without truly understanding what they are trying
to say. On the other hand, the story can also mean that Orpheus gets consumed and
destroyed by the maenads because he refused to move on and adapt to a new life after his
beloveds death. Thus, Orpheus, the story teller is degenerating and no longer needed by
the present.

6. Feminisms: explain the importance of TWO (2) of the following four quotations,
as two separate answers (4 points each: 4x2=8 points)

6B -- The category of the Other is as primordial as consciousness itself. Simone de
Beauvoir

The importance of this quote illustrates how in society there is always an exclusion of
certain groups of people. For example, if a place is said to be smoke free then instantly
people who smoke are excluded and seen as the other in the designated space. Thus,
Simone de Beauvoir believes that there will always be the other in society who is
vulnerable to oppression from a group of people that are not identical or equal to them.

6C -- If we continue to speak the same language to each other, we will reproduce the
same
story. Begin the same stories all over again. Luce Irigaray

Irigaray believes that people should seek their own voice and individuality in writing and
expression. This quote is important because it suggests that people should thrive on being
creative in figuring out new and fresh ways to voice an idea. Thus, breaking the cycle of
reproducing the same stories and beliefs that lose their affect and integrity.

7. W.G. Max Sebald: What aspect(s) of Roger Casement allowed him to perceive
things as oppressive that were considered normal in his society? (3 points)

Roger Casments ability to reflect and observe allow him to perceive things differently.
He looks at situations from different angles and detaches himself from any emotion or
belief involved. He also doesnt forget like the rest and remembers the atrocities he has
seen in his past. Thus, not losing grasp of the thread that would allow him to see the truth
behind it.


8. W.G. Max Sebald: explain how weavers physical living conditions relate to
their dreams. (3 points)

The weavers physical living conditions reflect their dreams of being able to weave
without the pain of getting hold of the wrong thread. The weavers suffer from pain, but
are still able to create beautiful designs. However, they live under pressure which drains
them of energy and makes them fall into melancholy.

9. Butler AND Sebald: compare/contrast the structures of Rings of Saturn and Wild
Seed. (5 points)

The Rings of Saturn follow the pattern of a regular quadrilateral while Wild Seed follows
a linear pattern with a cause and an effect. In the Rings of Saturn, the events are scattered
yet held together by silk threads which makes them share a common theme such as
decadence and loss. On the other hand, the events in Wild Seed are connected to each
other, one after the other without jumping from one scene to the next. Thus, having a
natural flow that is easy to follow. In Rings of Saturn, the reader is made to jump and
make the connections.

10. Octavia Butler: How does Anyanwu finally convince Doro that he needs to
change the way that he manages human populations? (3 points)

Anyanwau convinces Doro to change the way he manages the human population by
trying to commit suicide. Doro has always lived in loneliness just as Anynawu has.
However, loneliness had turned Doro heartless and in need of no one. Nevertheless, he
does come to realize that he is in need of Anymawu on his side. He realizes that without
her he will always be alone. Thus, Doro comes in contact with his human self that is in
need of company and affection. Anyanwu is the only one who is able to provide
emotionally for Doro because she can live forever along with him.

11. James Tiptree Jr: describe the character traits that allow Carol Page to succeed in
her goal by the end of With Delicate Mad Hands.(3 points)

Carol Page is a beautiful woman whos madness kept her sane. She succeeded in her goal
because she used her beauty and sanity to conquer her enemies. The men looked down on
her, but they didnt know what she held within. This allowed her to manipulate the men
when they believed they had the upper hand. Carol Page madness gave her the strength to
execute her revenge.

12. The Prophets: explain, in non-prophetic language, TWO (2) of the following three
passages: (2x3=6 points)

12A: Nietzsche -- Are you genuine? Or merely an actor? A representative? Or that
which is represented? In the end, perhaps you are merely a copy of an actor.

Nietzsche is questioning whether our core genuine or actors wearing different masks of
who we. He believes that we might be actors representing certain beliefs or copying other
people to suit our interest. Nitzshe is questioning our individuality in a world filled with
masks and imitations.

12B: Gibran -- Last night I invented a new pleasure, and as I was giving it the first trial
an angel and a devil came rushing toward my house. They met at my door and fought
with each other over my newly created pleasure; the one crying, "It is a sin! - the other,
"It is a virtue!"

Gibran explains that whatever an individual chooses to do will fall under the context of
good or bad. He believes that we are living in the battle-field of these two forces. It also
suggests that there is the ability to choose. It is the human condition dictated by an inner
war, according to Gibran.

13. George Orwell: explain one metaphor that Orwell uses in Politics and the
English Language (4 pts)

It follows that any struggle against the abuse of language is a sentimental archaism, like
preferring candles to electric light or hansom cabs to aeroplanes. This metaphor used by
Orwell explains that language must not be abused, and used in simplicity to demonstrate
power in its purpose.

14. Jorge Luis Borges: explain one example of the tensions between universals and
particulars in Borges stories. (3 pts)

In Borges story, The Library of Babylon there is a tension between the universal and
particular. The library is seen to be the universal holder of knowledge. However, it is
only the particulars, such as the books, that are able to accessed. The library cannot be
completely grasped under a bigger picture. The individual seems to be only to have
pieces of the universal, but not all of it. This tension is also presented in his other stories
where the universal is never spoken of because language cannot contain it. For example,
in The Writing of the God, the priest does not speak of the magical formula because it
has no place in the existence of the particular.

15. Greg Egan: describe the dominant personality trait that the jewel learns from its
host in Learning to be Me. (3 pts)

The jewel learns from its host curiousity and wonder. In Learning to be Me, the host
wonders about his humanity and questions it. The jewel does that same thing to and
connects to the hosts reflections on his consciousness. It does not change his ability to be
curious and open to new ideas. The jewel learns to take in whatever thought processes
that the host undertakes. Thus, learning that wonder is a motivating factor.

16. What does Charlotte Perkins Gilman suggest is a better cure for mental illness
than isolated rest? (2 pts)

Gilman suggests that activity is a better cure for mental illness than isolated rest. She
believes that stagnation wont lead anywhere. On the other hand, activity such as
walking, socializing and freely expressing oneself is a better way to heal mental illness
and overcome any trauma. Isolated rest will only imprison the individual and suffocate
his or her energy.

17. Explain Thelwalls insistence that virtue is actively working for a better world. (3
pts)

Thelwalls believes that virtue is in being active in the world. This means by constantly
adapting in the world through creative means. He believes that people should be active in
their thinking and aware of their environment, which demands research and a move
forwards. He also believes that being active in the world means the ability to fight
injustice and stagnation.

Bonus question: Describe one moment from yesterdays film where the
environment reflected the lecture.

From yesterdays film, the ships and factories in the background reflected the lecture in
suggesting the people must be better readers of the environment around us. This ties with
Thalwell and Zebald who stresses on remembering the past in order to better understand
the present. The ships and factories are creations that will end and change. Thus, people
must be aware of lifes movement towards change and decadence.