Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Poor Hamlet...

Top of the evening to all...

We are all aware of the hemming and hawing that Hamlet commits in Shakespeare's famous play.  The Bard, however, did not take note of the physical manifestations of Hamlet's stress.  We are, of course, all aware that stress can cause physical concerns.

For Hamlet, it was constant digestive issues.  It really drove him crazy.

This of course leads Polonius to say "though this be madness, yet there be methane in't."

I am clearly guilty of Polonius assault.

Good night to all.

R/SCG

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Why Do I Do This to Myself?


Top of the evening everyone...

I read the news every day, without fail.  In the paper version (yes...I still get the paper version), I thoroughly enjoy not just the news, but also the letters to the editor and the op-ed page.  Sometimes, I go there first.

I also read on line.  On line, many of the articles will allow any and all readers to make comments on the article.  This is distressing, to say the least.

For starters, the grammar is awful.  It suggests a low level of either education or concern, neither of which are particularly palatable.  

Beyond that, the degree of racism, sexism, and extremism just makes these comments vile.  It is remarkably discomforting to read the rhetoric that is on these pages.  It makes it easy to see why the American political scene is so polarized and fragmented these days.

It has been very little time since my last post, but I must return to Bloom County.  The comments that have gone with the return of the comic strip have been delightful.  People have been kind and appreciative not just of the return of the comic, but of each other.  As well, the comments on the facebook page have had good spelling and grammar.  There is hope.

Welcome back, Bloom County.  We missed you in ways that never occurred to us.

R/SCG

Mockingbird...

Top of the evening to all...

Some of you might remember that I wrote a blog entry back in 2012.  The title of the entry was Books on a Desert Island.  We had been assigned to come back to class with three non-religious books that we would want with us if stranded on a desert island.

Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" was on my list.  I mentioned then that it was the only book I have ever read that I did not want to see come to an end.

I have always assumed that Scout is the narrator of the story, and that therefore Harper Lee was writing as Scout.  My favourite comic returned over the last few months.  Berkley Breathed had a connection with Ms. Lee.  His touching tribute to her in his comic last Sunday made me wonder though.  He suggests that Ms. Lee is actually Arthur "Boo" Radley.

The story obviously cannot happen without Boo Radley.  He maintains a sense of mystery to the story, leaving the children wondering who keeps placing gifts for them in the tree.  He would have had a front-row view of Atticus shooting the rabid dog.  He saves Scout and Jem's life as they crossed the school yard and past his own yard.

Having thought about it, I believe that Scout was the narrator.  It had never dawned on me though to consider Boo Radley as something other than an important but only peripheral character.  Considering that Ms. Lee might have been writing from that vantage point changes the story.  The next time I read it, I will be asking what Boo Radley sees at each point.

Nelle Harper Lee, rest in peace.

R/SCG