Thursday, May 27, 2010

this is my " I'm so heated I can't think of a title" title.

I'm annoyed. Before I begin my rant, here is some background info : in English, we're reading Tennessee Williams' play, A Streetcar Named Desire. Hopefully you know the basics of this play, because I'm too anxious and excited to begin my rant that I don't have time to summarize for you. And here we go.

In class today, someone actually tried to defend Stanley Kowalski, the antagonist of the play who is simultaneously a rapist, a perpetrator of domestic violence, and the absolute all around scummy alpha male scoundrel of a man (so repetitive and doesn't make sense, but whatever, I'm pissed). If Webster's had a definition for this lowest sort of a sub-human, Stanley would be it. So, the person in class brought up the possibility that perhaps Stanley grew up in an abusive home, or suffered from PTSD from the War. This, quite bluntly, is bullshit. YOU CAN RECOVER FROM THESE TRAUMAS. THERE IS A THING CALLED THERAPY, PEOPLE. I realize that outlets like therapy were not available in the late '40s, but still. You get what I'm saying. It relates to all the nature vs. nurture business; like, does just because I grew up in an abusive family mean that my future family will be abusive? Uh, for all the people living in abusive homes, I freaking hope not. That is a terrible way to think. But this topic is for another day, for another post.

Back to Stanley. You can blame his awful aura on his childhood, or his past experiences, but in truth, nothing makes him act like satan on earth but himself. This is true for everyone. You are your own force.

The viewpoint of Stanley's behavior as tragic was placed on the table as well (due to his alcoholism). Now, I recognize alcoholism is a disease. Alcoholism alone, is a tragedy. I also recognize that the abuse of alcohol leads to a seriously damaged use of judgment, and can thus lead to violent behaviors. Those violences, however, are NOT tragic for the perpetrator!!!! They are tragic for the victim. Let me make myself clear: Alcoholism/PTSD=disease=tragic versus Rape and Other Disgusting Offenses=pure evil= not excusable in any way shape or form and the people who do such things should be imprisoned forever.

I don't believe that my peer meant this in a malicious way at all. In fact, I know she brought up this POV solely for literary purposes (arguing whether Stanley is the pro or antagonist) and is an all around very intelligent person whom I truly enjoy. If she is reading this (which is kind of funny cause there is the possibility that ZERO people are reading this blog,) I hope I didn't offend you. I'm actually VERY thankful you brought up this point because it got me thinking and my mind buzzed and I loooove when this happens because then I get into mini fights within my head and feel all intelligent and all. Wow. What a rant.

Goodness, I feel better.

13 comments:

  1. Ms. Hayes, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

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  2. Ali I cant believe you wrote about me in your blog, your an asshole!

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  3. I totally agree Ali! First of all, I think it's absolutely ridiculous to try to argue that Stanley is the protagonist because it is CLEARLY a play that revolves around Blanche, and she is most clearly opposed to Stanly's character, not as the antagonist, but the pro.

    In class today, I definitely agree that they didn't bring it up maliciously but I completely agree--Stanly doesn't change throughout the play, he stays exactly the same! He's the same disgusting pig of a man he is at the beginning that he is at the end.


    Also, Mr. I'm Rude and probably realize it which makes me an asshole and extremely arrogant, if you don't like what she's saying, don't read it.

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  4. Blogs are a place for expressing your own opinions. If you don't agree with someone's opinion then simply save us all the drama and don't read the blog. Its that simple bud, but I guess this person is thrives off of drama. Grow up.

    Ali thank you for having the confidence for expressing your opinions on your blog, it is inspiring.

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  5. I agree with the comment above. I am in Alexandra's grade and would never have the confidence to express my opinions on a blog. Go Alexandra!

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  6. While I completely agree that the above posts were ENTIRELY unnecessarily malicious (fuck you anonymous assholes on the internet), I do believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The person in class was not DEFENDING Stanley in any way, simply arguing a different viewpoint on the book (not real life). You cannot judge people for having their own opinions--while I agree that the story is mainly about Blanche, it is also about Stanley, and that fact cannot be ignored. His relationship with Stella, in fact all the relationships in the book, are disgusting and pathetic, but by saying Stanley may be the protagonist does not mean that said person promotes domestic violence?! That is a truly terrible and unjustified assumption to make.
    Abuse can NEVER be tolerated OR justified, but for solely LITERARY discussion, it is alright to maybe consider where Stanley was coming from, even if one does not understand it (I certainly don't, nor do I see ANY explanation as an excuse for what he does). There is nothing wrong with letting that person have her own opinion.
    The only reason I'm keeping this anonymous is that I don't want anyone judging me for having my own opinion. No one should have to feel that way in English class, and then have someone rant about them later. I do agree with some things you were saying, but maybe this wasn't the best place to say them, behind their back...it's a little insensitive and doesn't give them a chance to explain themselves.
    I also had an issue with the statement, "YOU CAN RECOVER FROM THESE TRAUMAS. THERE IS A THING CALLED THERAPY, PEOPLE," as that is not always true and not really a fair statement to make. Therapy doesn't fix your problems...trust me :P
    This is waaaay longer than I intended it to be, but I just wanted to share my opinion, and I'm really really sorry if I offended you Alex or anybody else :(
    But seriously, fuck people that write idiotic, insulting comments only because they won't say it to your face. It's your blog, you are entitled to your own opinion!

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  7. Ok. Just to clarify, I informed the person already that I wrote of the situation and thanked them for getting my mind going. Also, if you had read what I wrote, I stated that they meant this for literary purposes. I'm also pretty sure I thanked them for bringing up this controversial view. In no way was I saying they promote domestic violence.

    Also, you do not know me, nor do you know my life. Perhaps I wanted to write about this because it has effected me directly.

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  8. Also, my blog is for me. Not for anyone else. It is my personal place to share my views, that is why I created it in the first place. If you do not like it, you don't need to read it.

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  9. Im not in this class so I have no idea what is going on...but if you can't own up to what you are saying then why say it "Anonymous." What you are saying is meaningless because you don't have the confidence to say your real name...Pretty embarrassing..re-evaluate yourselves there.

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  10. I think you're awesome for doing this blog and you shouldn't let negative comments bring you down! Your blog is really cool and I enjoy reading it and I admire you for having the courage to start this blog in the first place! Keep your head high and remember your courage! You rock.

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  11. Alexandra--
    Good for you for having strong opinions and sharing them with other people. And, good for your classmate for looking at Stanley in a different way, and also sharing that. The fact that you are both so passionate must have lead to an interesting discussion in class!

    I think many of your readers (including your anonymous classmate that so kindly called you an "asshole") are reading into your blog in the wrong way. This is a place for you to share your opinions with people who want to hear them-- you are certainly not insulting your classmate, rather, using her comments as impetus for literary and social commentary. Your classmate, while it's understandable that she is upset, should take a breath and realize she has done a good thing by stimulating YOUR brain, as well as the brains of others!

    I think this is entirely a good thing... I hope your classmate will realize that, too!

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  12. Congrats! you've created some lovely internet and NHS drama--that means you're an official genuine blogger, darling :)

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  13. Ali, I am in your class (English) and I completely agree with what you said. I really enjoyed reading what you have to say; it makes me kinda want to start my own blog.
    I do agree that that point of Stanley being a protagonist was brought up for completely literary reasons.

    And for that asshole who wants to be rude about it, don't read it. Simple as that.
    Thank you, Ali.

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