Part II

Twelfth Night:
This quote reflects Viola's decision to dress up as a man so it would be easier for her to travel around Illyria. If such deception is discovered, is it forgivable, even if it's used for self-protection?

"I prithee - and I'll pay thee bounteously -
Conceal me what I am, and be my aid
For such disguise as haply shall become
The form of my intent. I'll serve this duke" (pg. 13).

The Sound And The Fury:
Jason Compson's thought brings up an interesting point from his very cynical perspective. Do we create battles so we can develop a false sense of pride? What is a real fight? What defines a real loss? A real win? Do we go out of our way to cause controversy so we can put ourselves on victorious pedestals of false claims and beliefs?

"No battle is ever won. They are not even fought. The field only reveals to man his own folly and despair, and victory is an illusion of philosophers and fools" (Jason's chapter).

The Love-Song of J. Alfred Prufrock:
This quote from T.S. Eliot addresses societal expectations. It discusses women who talk of Michelangelo, but it is sincere or to show off their knowledge of an artist accepted by their elite group? Does everyone put on a show to impress others, to an extent? Are we ever completely honest with others, or is there something we are always holding back or suppressing?

"In the room the women come and go
Talking of Michelangelo."

A Doll's House:
A particularly painful exhange between Nora and her husband Torvald takes place after the blackmail being held against Nora is revealed. Torvald is furious with this information, but after the situation is resolved, Nora still remains unhappy. The truth about where she had gotten the money to take Torvald on vacation uncovers her true feelings about her marriage to Torvald, which addresses this question: does each lie have multiple layers? Can one be used to uncover another? Or are some lies more simplistic and black-and-white than others?

Nora: "That's right. Now it is all over. I have put the keys here. The maids know all about everything in the house - better than I do. Tomorrow, after I have left her, Christine will come here and pack up my own things that I brought with me from home. I will have them sent after me."
Torvald: "All over! All over! Nora, shall you never think of me again?"
Nora: "I know I shall often think of you and the children and this house."
Torvald: "May I write to you, Nora?"
Nora: "No - never. You must not do that."
Torvald: "But at least let me send you - "
Nora: "Nothing - nothing."
Torvald: "Let me help you if you are in want."
Nora: "No. I can receive nothing from a stranger" (pg. 71).

The Importance Of Being Earnest:
One of the final conversations between Jack and his fiancee Gwendolen reveals that the importance of truth and the weight it carries varies from person to person. Jack and Gwendolen clearly don't hold truth to be crucial for the health of their relationship, or for anything else. Is this healthy? Can you form solid relationships with this nonchalant attitude toward truth?

Jack: "Gwendolen, it is a terrible thing for a man to find out suddenly that all his life he has been speaking nothing but the truth. Can you forgive me?"
Gwendolen: "I can. For you are sure to change" (pg. 54).


A Streetcar Named Desire:
In this exchange between Stanley and Blanche, Blanche's delusions are uncovered. She had invented a millionaire who was coming to save her, since she couldn't face that fact that her town and her family were ostracizing her. Stanley calls her out on it, and she can't defend herself any longer. Is it okay, or socially acceptable, to invent new personas and identities as a form of self-protection? Or is it healthier to face the facts, no matter how terrible they may be?

Stanley: "There isn't no millionaire! And Mitch didn't come back with roses 'cause I know where he is -"
Blanche: "Oh!"
Stanley: "There isn't a goddamn thing but imagination!"
Blanche: "Oh!"
Stanley: "And lies and conceit and tricks!"
Blanche: "Oh!"
Stanley: "And look at yourself! Take a look at yourself in that worn-out Mardi Gras outfit, rented for fifty cents from some ragpicker! And with the crazy crown on! What queen do you think you are?" (pg. 127)

Wit:
This line reveals Vivian's shock at what her professor told her: life and death are merely separated by a comma in the sonnet of John Donne, showing how closely the two are linked...which brings up the question: are truth and scholastics connected? Or is one used to discover the other?

"I, ah, went outside. The sun was very bright. I, ah, walked around, past the ... There were students on the lawn, talking about nothing, laughing. The insuperable barrier between one thing and other is ... just a comma? Simple human truth, uncompromising scholarly standards? They're connected? I just couldn't..." (pg. 15).

Interpreter of Maladies:
A Temporary Matter:
In these two quotes, the game the two main characters invented is revealed. They began to tell each other secrets of their pasts that they had kept entirely to themselves. In the end, this game is the final straw that breaks their marriage (see the second quote). This brings up the question -- is complete honesty bad when it can hurt a marriage, or anything at all? Is it better to be quiet and prevent hurting anyone?

"Somehow, without saying anything, it had turned into this. Into an exchange of confessions - the little ways they'd hurt or disappointed each other, and themselves"(pg. 18).

"They wept together, for the things they now knew" (pg. 22).

This Blessed House:
In this quote, one of the main characters is questioning her husband. Why do we care so much about what other people thing? It connects to keeping our secret selves guarded. Will we be dishonest about who we are to please other people? Or will we be completely honest about our idenities and then wait around for their approval?

"Why does it matter so much what other people think?" (pg. 147).

Memento:
Here, the main character Lenny is explaining how he will continually lie to himself to prevent lifelong bitterness and unhappiness. Are such lies just when it comes to making yourself happy, or is it better to be depressed and completely honest?

"I'm not a killer. I'm just someone who wanted to make things right. Can't I just let myself forget what you've told me? Can't I just let myself forget what you've made me do. You think I just want another puzzle to solve? Another John G. to look for? You're John G. So you can be my John G... Will I lie to myself to be happy? In your case Teddy... yes I will."