yara bermudez

The Mee Street Chronicles: Straight up Stories of a Black Women’s Life: “Scotch on the Rocks”

The Mee Street Chronicles: Straight up Stories of a Black Women’s Life:

“Scotch on the Rocks”

            In the selection “Scotch on the Rocks” in the memoir The Mee Street Chronicles: Straight Up Stories Of a Black Women’s Life by Frankie Lennon, the narrator, faces dilemma in which she does not want to acknowledge she is an alcoholic. The narrator is able to unveil her values and traits within her thoughts on herself on alcoholism. In this selection Frankie ends up in an alcohol counselor office after she received her second DUI after being involved in a terrible car accident. She is told by her boss to go to the counselor seek help with alcoholism. As the counselor starts to ask Frankie questions about her past with alcohol Frankie gazes out the window as if she was looking for an escape of her reality. As soon as her counseling session was over the first place in which she went Allen’s Lounge and Bar. Frankie is a now a regular at the bar and feels the bar is her escape to her problems. Although in this particular selection it just is the place in which she gets a reality check from herself.

            In the selection, Frankie reveals her values the society’s acceptance, partying and euphoria. Frankie’s values as well as some of her character traits are revealed as the selection unfolds and it intrigues the reader to find out if Frankie quits drinking. “Although I felt frazzled, the mirror showed me looking as cool as a cucumber…” within this quote it demonstrates that Frankie noted the fact onlookers might of not thought much of her and Marsha’s altercation because she seemed calmed although she was terrorized inside Marsha could of hit her. Another incident in which she seeked approval was at the end of the selection when being offered another scotch she couldn’t help herself from answering “Sure, you know I never turn down a drink.” Not wanting people to notice she doubted alcohol and her partying ways as well as she was starting to think of a way in which she could quit as the counselor told her. Frankie, in her late 20’s did not want to be seen as an alcoholic and did not realize the fact drinking and partying could have a negative effect in people’s lives. Even if alcohol gave her some sort of euphoria in her younger years and now she does not have that same euphoria. Frankie is not ready to leave behind her partying ways and the alcohol’s euphoria as well as to know she does not need society’s acceptance she only needs her own acceptance.

            Diffident, unwilling and belligerent are just three of the traits the narrator portrays within the selection.  Frankie portrays she is a diffident person because as is aware Marsha might try to hit her because she is “fooling around” with Jay. “If she made a move to beat my ass, would I just sit here and let her…” shows that Frankie lacked in her own confidence that there could be fighter inside her that would of fought Marsha if needed and can also fight against alcohol. The narrator is unwilling and belligerent in several parts in the selection when she is mentally trying to convince herself she is not an alcoholic. Thinking of many excuses and differences she has with people she knows are alcoholics. An example is when she compared herself to Charlie calling him a “stone drunk” and mentioning he gets drunk easily unlike her. Her diffidence, belligerency and unwillingness took over only looking at the negative outcomes and giving her a lack of confidence rather than letting her see the bigger picture as she fought her inner self thoughts.

            Frankie’s cause of conflict involves her inner thoughts and her traits and values. “I was…scared of “The Corners”…where I’d hidden the truth about me,” she acknowledges puts things in the corner when she is able to confront them. “Am I willing to quit drinking?” is a question she continuously asks herself but is unable to address it because she decides to not explore the question along her past actions with alcohol. Her traits and values do not allow her to grow and acknowledge that she is causing harm to herself and it would affect her in the long run. The corners, appear to be the narrator driving motivation; because it does not allow her to see she could be on the verge of becoming an in denial alcoholic and does not acknowledge she had already caused harm to herself and will continue unless she fights her alcoholism.

            In conclusion, the narrator’s ongoing battle with herself does not allow her to see the reality. Her traits and values play a huge part in the fact she does not want to be seen as an alcoholic nor admit it. Frankie unwillingly admits she is scared to face her alcoholism and does not want to face it because she is not a “stone drunk” as Charlie. Frankie’s negligence and naïve-ness does not allow her to face her alcoholism and fight it. Her negligence takes over her not allowing her to reflect that there is more than one type of alcoholics and it is okay to seek help for alcoholism it does not makes her any different from anybody.

The Gilda Stories Ch. 1 Scenes

The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez

Chapter 1: Louisiana 1850

Ø  Number of scenes

Ø  White spaces indicate beginning of scene

Ø  Each scene what is the setting, time and place

Ø  Identify minor characters id one or two things

Ø  Summary for each scene

1^st Scene Pages 9-18

   Characters

-       Girl (major)

-       Gilda (major)

-       Girl’s mother*

She is seen as a minor character because the Girl recalls events in her life that involved her mother. Those events help the Girl find courage.

Example page 13 2nd paragraph

-       Man that rapped girl

-       Macey

   Setting

-Farmhouse

- Woodard Brothel

Summary:

The Girl, whom is nameless in the whole chapter and referred to as the Girl, is remembering things about her and her mother, as a white man is raping her. Somehow as he is about to enter her she stabs him with a wood-handled knife. Gilda then found the girl in the root cellar of her farmhouse outside of New Orleans. She woke up the girl and told her she didn’t need to feel afraid and she was going to help her. Gild then took the girl to her Woodard, a brothel she owned and managed, giving her a bath and clothes. Macey then entered the room with a tray of food for the Girl and was intrigued to find out about her but did not ask or spoke. In page 16, we see how the Gilda is able to read the girl’s mind and says to her she is not a man as the girl had thought. After the girl finished eating Gilda told her what she was to respond when someone asked her where she came from. Not wanting to know of the Girl’s past she continued to tell her sister in Mississippi sent her. Leaving the Girl little to think of her all she could understand was that Gilda was able to read her mind as well as she was. Gilda felt good of her decision of bringing the girl in, she was able to remember some parts of her past and felt good about looking forward into the future of the Girl and Bird.

2^nd Scene pages 18-24

   Characters

-       Girl

-       Bird

-       Gilda

-       Fanny*

-       Rachel*

Fanny and Rachel are both minor characters in this scene they are perhaps the most opiniated of the all. The girl found herself being intruiged by wanting to know what they said since they would always argue and have things to say. Both characters in my opinion could be seen as feminist since they would talk of politics men and other things most women at that time didn’t and the Girl found interesting.

   Setting

-       A couple of months later

-       Woodard

Summary:

After living a few months in Woodard, the Girl barely spoke and was really shy but still managed to do her house chores. During that time the Girl was surprised the other women in the house were. She thought they embodied innocence of children yet they would talk about things she only heard the men speak of such as politics and economics. Also during that time Bird was teaching her how to read and write. Bird and the Girl were able to get close during this time Bid would talk about her childhood and even telling the Girl about her family and how they began to think she was a witch after she overcame the miliar infections. Bird was able to see since the Girl’s arrival her and Gilda were happy. Gilda on the other hand was starting to want the Girl to be one of them she was tired of living and thought the Girl was the perfect person to replace her and to accompany Bird.

3^rd Scene pages 24- 34

   Characters

-       Girl

-       Gilda

-       Bird

-       Minta

-       Man at Minta’s birthday

This man was trying to have sex with the girl. I would say he was trying to take advantage of her because she was naïve. He thought she was just another worker and when she told him she wasn’t he resumed to tell her and Gilda she was missing out on not having the girl work for her in that way. The man made the girl feel shaken which brought Gilda to sense the Girl was in trouble and seek out to help her.

-       Bernice

Was the cook of the house. She was able to speak in a blunt manner and tell people how she saw things. The Girl was able to understand the way she felt after talking to Bernice and see she should not care of what others see of her. She should go on about her business.

   Setting

-       Woodard’s Minta’s birthday party

Summary.

 Living in Woodard for 2 years the Girl looked at it as home. She had become close with Bird and was starting to become a young lady. The girl enjoyed working in the garden and studying with Bird when not doing chores.  On the night of Minta’s 20^th birthday everyone was happy for the party. The Girl recalls how she had decided she would also learn French and although she barely knew how to write English she thought it would be best she learned both. The Girl found herself being in some sort of a dilemma when she was out with Bird. She was in a way fearful of the women she would see while out shopping with Bird. Those women made the Girl feel shameful as she told Bernice, the cook. Bernice went on to tell the Girl she was ashamed of them not of herself and should continue with her life because she wasn’t the problem it was them. A man that went to the party was starting to make the girl have sex with him. The Girl seemed scared and Gilda with sensed she was in trouble and went over to help the Girl. It was the first time we saw Gilda reflect on her vampire life and how she had only killed once. Recalling how she took blood from the man sleeping in the bunkhouse fully clothed.

4^th Scene pages 34- 36

   Characters

-       Girl

-       Bernice

-       Minta

Was full of aspirations for herself as Rachel. She knew she didn’t want to be at Woodard for the rest of her life. This was the first time in the whole chapter we saw her view on things. She wanted to move to California with Rachel and not be seen as a mistress.

   Setting

-       The garden in Woodard

Summary:

During a fall afternoon as the girl worked in the garden she was accompanied by Minta. Minta told the girl about her thoughts of going with Rachel who had moved to California. Minta asked the Girl about her moving with them so they could all start and open a business. The Girl told Minta how she could not see herself leaving the house. Minta in response told the Girl to be careful because people believed in spirits and other things such like Miss Gilda. Minta then ran upstairs and Bernice questioned the girl of their conversation also telling the Girl Gilda and Bird were different. Bernice told the girl even after she had been there for years she was still not sure who they really were and was concerned how the Girl would be on her own.

5th scene pages 36-

    Characters

-       Girl

-       Bird

-       Gilda

    Setting

- Barn-house  

    Summary

This is perhaps the most important scene in the chapter in this scene the girl goes to the barn-house along with Gilda and Bird. We are able to see how Gila and Bird interact with each other as well as how they are with the Girl. One day as Bird prepares to go Woodard the Girl jokes about telling Minta Hello and to not leave without her. The comment made by the Girl did not suit Bird since she knew Gilda was thinking of making the Girl one of them. The Girl then affirmed to Bird she was teasing and her comment was not true. Gilda later on that evening came down to join the Girl. She then left leaving the Girl alone saying they will continue to talk when she returned. When she returned they started to talk the Girl reassured her she had never thought of leaving. Gilda then told her a war had begun and that she was afraid of living too long and her it was time for her to end. The Girl was confused but did not seem shaken about Gilda’s remarks. Gilda then told her she would have to tell Bird to complete the circle and it will be Bird who will make the Girl their daughter. When Bird returned the Girl told her as she was instructed to do so. Bird was puzzled and realized Gilda needed Bird step away in order to end her long life with peace. When full daylight came Bird returned the blood to complete the process and then held the Girl and rested. The girl asked if Gilda was gone and Bird told her she wanted the girl to now be called Gilda. The Girl then continued to tell Bird how much Gilda loved and her and she did this for both of them. She did not want to leave her alone and thought this was the best way to do so.

English 15 taught me

There are many things that I learn in semester within the courses I take. English 15 was no exception being able to have new insight, appreciate more LGBT writers, learn more about motifs and apply them in the readings, expand my knowledge as well as to understand the reflections of other students. With each one of these I was able to learn more about each day within the course.

1.     New insight- I was able to have new insight in life with the readings being able to read about LGBT allowed me to have new insight.

2.     Appreciate LGBT writers- Not having read many LGBT books this course allowed me to appreciate LGBT writers because of their writing.

3.     Motif- Having a course that not only deals with literary devices but also motifs allowed me to connect them with real life situations.

4.     Expand my knowledge- Every course allows a student to expand their knowledge, I feel that within this course I was able to expand my knowledge in more than just one way.

5.     Learn about other students reflections- With everyone having different views on reading being able see what other students thought on a certain part of the reading was also great because many times I did not see those parts the same.

english 15 course expectations

Yara Bermudez

English 15_D1

August 22, 2012

English 15 Course Expectations

When entering a new course there are certain expectations every student has within the knowledge they will gain throughout the semester. Taking the course English 15 with an emphasis in Black Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual, and Transgendered writers is something new to me. My previous English courses had different emphasis some on mostly grammar other on literature structure. Personally do not specifically what I will gain but I am hoping that within the course I will be able to gain some knowledge and understand some of the struggles Black LGBT community goes through on a daily basis and how they still prove to many they are as equal as any other human being. I am also expecting to gain knowledge in the Black literature as a whole not only within the LGBT.

Syllabus Questions

1.     Do we have to get all the books right away or can we buy them two weeks before will be using them?