Author Archives: Giselle Martinez

Besought

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Besought (verb) – past and past participle of beseech.

source – https://www.google.com/search?q=besought+definition&oq=besougth+d&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.6978j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Found on page 37 of Quicksand by Nella Larsen,  ” He spoke of his great admiration for the negro race, no other race in so short a time had made so much progress, but he had urgently besought them to know when and where to stop.”

This word was used to tell the people of Naxos to learn when and where to stay in their place since they were always being mistreated. The author used this word to say the people of Naxos must not rise above white people.

virulent

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Virulent  (adjective) – actively poisonous; intensely noxious

Sources – http://www.dictionary.com/browse/virulent

Found on page 108, chapter 18. “In her opinion,Helga had lived too long among the enemy, the detestable pale faces. She understood them too well, was too tolerant of their ignorance stupidities. If they had been Latin, Anne might conceivably have forgiven the disloyalty. But Nordics ! Lynchers ! It was too traitorous. Helga smiled a little, understanding Annie’s bitterness and hate, and a little of it cause. It was a piece with that of those she so virulently hated.”

 

This word was used to describe how Anne was a person and how she affected Helga emotionally. Earlier in the novel, Helga asked Anne why it was bad for a black woman to be with Dr. Anderson. Anne said that the Negro should stick together. Towards the end of the novel, Helga finally sees how toxic her friendship with Anne was. It made it harder for Helga to love herself and accept that she’s biracial and embraces it. 

Miscegenation

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Miscegenation – the interbreeding of people considered to be of different racial types (noun)

 

Source : http://www.dictionary.com/browse/miscegenation

 

From Quicksand pg 108

“Into this Helga would not enter. Because of its obvious partial truths she felt the need for disusing caution. With a detachment that amazed herself she asked if Aunt Katrina didn’t think, really, that miscegenation was wrong, in fact a principle.

 

In this part of the novel, Helga questions her aunts beliefs about biracial marriages and if it’s wrong or right. Helga wants to know how other people would react about biracial couples since shes biracial herself. She is having a hard time being accepted by her race.

Impresario

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Impresario (noun) – manger or director

“He much preferred the observes who sat down right against the bars and not satisfied with the dim back lighting of the room, illuminated him with electric flashlights, which the impresario made to them”.

This word was used to show how important the scenery is to the Franz Kafka. I was able to understand who he was referring to about impressing the clubs to make it more attractive.

The Cottagette by Charloette Perkins Gilman

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In “The Cottagette” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, I believe the story offers a truly happy ending. Malda had talent but she thought she needed to please the guy she loves. She was told from Lois, that men love to marry a homemaker. Lois got her happy ending. She was miserable in her marriage. She didn’t regret the pain and once she changed back to her maiden name she felt free and truly happy. Malda was going to give up her needlework to be a housewife. Her soon to be fiance has noticed that she has been cooking recently. When he asked Malda to marry her, she said yes and he told her that there’s one condition and it’s that she shouldn’t cook. He told her that he doesn’t want her to give up what she truly loves and has talent for instead of cooking for him.  When Ford says “Your work is quite too good to lose; it is a beautiful and distinctive art, and I don’t want you to let it go.” I believe it’s a happy ending for them because he truly loves her for who she is and he doesn’t want her to force herself to cook just because it’s a gender role. Being in love with someone means you support them and motivate them to follow their passion. He can cook and he is willing to cook for them so she can do what she loves and I believe that’s true love. You being able to support your partner in any way is true love. Ford is okay with him cooking for the both of them and making that sacrifice for the girl he loves and I believe that’s a true happy ending.

Ungainly

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Ungainly (adjective)

Ungainly- not graceful; awkward; unwieldy; clumsy

Sources – http://www.dictionary.com/browse/ungainly?s=t

I have encountered this word when I was reading ” A Rose of Emily” by Susan Glaspell. Its on page 263, ” The county attorney was looking at the cupboard– a peculiar, ungainly structure, half closet and half cupboard..”. Now that I know the meaning of the word ungainly, I know that the cupboard was built awkward and that was like kinda distracting the attorney.

Cinderella Story

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I read the Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper by Charles Perrault. The whole story I was familiar with and I knew. I didn’t think it was the Disney movie version when I first started reading it. I liked the little moral at the end of the reading because it is true. The moral states “Beauty in a woman is a rare treasure that will always be admired. Graciousness, however, is priceless and of even greater value”. I agree with this statement. The step-sisters were so rude and snobby. They will never value nothing compared to Cinderella. Although Cinderella was treated horrible by her step mother and sisters, she was always kind to them and always valued what was given to her. The step sisters and mother aren’t gracious for what Cinderella’s father has provided for their family. I found Cinderella so kind since she forgave her step sisters for treating her badly.

http://www.furorteutonicus.eu/germanic/ashliman/mirror/type0510a.html#perrault