orrmatt

So, the lies we tell? An interesting premise. Interesting indeed. However, not the subject of what I found to be my favorite conference paper (and perhaps the one most aligned with my personal philosophy). Miss Meaghan Sullivan gave an excellent treatise on Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot." Her thesis that the book is completely and utterly devoid of meaning turns on its head the idea, usually pushed on students of literature, that everything has more meaning than meets the eye. She later went on to tie the meaninglessness of the book to her argument that Samuel Beckett was declaring life itself to be meaningless. However, she did not stop there, interestingly enough. The title, "Better Not to Try," was the antithesis to her final, and most intriguing argument. Although life has no meaning, it only matters that we try to find it. It is the search that is most substantial, and through which we find a good reason to live. I rather liked this argument, which is the great part of the reason I posted about it. And although perhaps a bit personal, it aligns a great deal with my outlook on life. I look forward to the opportunity that summer may afford me to read the play, which I had not previously the chance to read.

As well, Ooku: fascinating. Not what I was expecting (though I dare not say what I was), and pleasantly surprised for it. What I found most interesting was the idea that although these Japanese people had totally accepted a matriarchical society, they still outwardly hid that fact. The only scene we have with an "outsider" is with the Dutch captain, who is lead to believe that the Shogun is a man. I found this very interesting, and would like to talk about it in class a bit, if given the chance.

Finally, Russ (When It Changed): too short. But, perhaps the perfect length. It puts forth the idea, does gender really matter? And leaves it at that. It sets up a world that works, asks does it really, and leaves it at that. I loved it.