Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Rosa Parks – Inner monologue

Today I was sitting in the bus on my way home to my husband. I was sitting in ‘the black men’s area’, but then a white male came into the bus. All the seats were taken, so he wanted to sit where I was sitting. I was about to get up from my seat, but this time I wouldn’t give. I wouldn’t let him be a better man than be and take my seat. I am a woman of my own rights. I will not obey the rules in this society like everyone else does. The man asked me again, but I still didn’t get up. Then the bus driver stopped the bus and went down to my seat and told me that have had to give it up. There was a lot of noise in the bus and the people were unsatisfied. They were unsatisfied with me. But I didn’t care. I still didn’t want to give my seat up to this man, so someone, I don’t know who, called the police, and then I got arrested. This society is so wrong! How can a female get arrested for sitting in a seat and won’t give it up for another male, just because the female is black and the male is white.. I don’t get it! - Sanne & Camilla K., 3.B

Rosa Parks


Finally it got here! Please god let there be a free seat for me.
OMFG YES!!!! There is a free seat there!

Hmm I guess I have to come up with something for dinner.. What is that man going down here for, it is the black part of the bus? Oh heeeeeeell no I ain’t giving up ma seat for some dumbass whity. NO NO NO NO NO! oh so you are calling the cops? Well fuck you then.

By Tobias, Froberg und Ich. 

Inside Rosa Parks

I am so tired, I have been working all day long, and I just need to sit here and relax my tired old legs. The bus is crowded. A white man is approaching me he looks like he wants to sit here. Forget about it. He says move you god damn Negro, I want this seat. But I just thought no, I have earned this place, after a hard day of working. And he is not more worth than me; we are all humans, with the same rights. I just sat there ignoring him, while he kept on yelling at me. “Negro! Negro! Negro!” the word just kept on spinning around in my head. Now the bus driver stop the bus, and came down said to me that if I didn’t move he would call the cops, and get me arrested. I don’t care, I will fight for my human rights in this segregated society.
Alternative version:

 Rosa parks
”Oh my gawd, oh my gawd, OH MY GAWD, ’dis wite man, is approazhing meh. Iz I really scared, ‘cus I have taken ‘de wite mans seed, and he lookz angry at me. I have not been bathing for weaks. ‘de wite gentleman sais to meh: “Move bitch, get out my way, black piece of shit”
Oh my gawd, oh my gawd, not naice sayd…so white potato-man, now smell me, now smell me – now smell I stink!
I vill nod move avai from dis seed, I am blak wuman, and am very prout of being black-fish-wuman.
A M&M production (Martin og Mads)

proper version:

I am minding my own bussisness, just sitting in the bus, looking out the window – thinking about the philosophical questions of life and what I should have for supper, when a white man approaching me. “That’s an awful looking coat” I thought, and the way he looked at the African Americans stirred me. And so I pondered: “What rights over us, the African people, to judge us the way he does – how low can a man steep, when he does have the ability to see through the veil of skin color. And then he said to me: “I would like to have that seat” – but I knew what to do, and I will not allow this discrimination to continue, so I will remain seated here.

Rosa Parks' inner thoughts

"What's he doing? Seriously, why are we stopping? If I were to move, he would have to ask politely. I mean, where are your manners young man? All men are created equal and that goes for women too. Why should I stand, so that morbidly obese man can sit? He can't even see his feet. I only take up one seat, he would take up two. It's not rational. If I move, I would be a push-over. What would happen if I didn't?? That might be interesting... It's decided, I'm not moving! What should I make for dinner? Dumdididum bum bum.. Oh dear.. Is that the police? Okay Rosa, remain calm. Caaaaaaaaalm. Oh dear. Me, who have never been in trouble with the law before. You can yell at me officer, I'm not moving!! Okay, since you put me that way, I might move. Oh oh, careful there! I just hope it will be all worth it in the end..."

Anders & Andreas.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Your letters...

Thank you for posting your letters from Jane to Rochester. You all did a great job doing so, catching the essence of the character of Jane - well done! Interesting aspect: none of you chose the "bad girl" approach - you really identified with the period itself and the role of women. Obviously, none of you wanted to see Jane as a potential prostitute :-) But poor Rochester; you did not take much pity on him :-) Fortunately, it all has a happy ending - you can watch the final scenes of the film in the PP in Lectio (in the folder Gothic Literature).

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Letter from Jane.

For my dear and beloved Edward 

Even though love is a strong feeling, it is not always the wisest. I have to protect myself, and take my own decisions. I need to do what is best for me. In some ways I know, that my passion for you is bigger than I, in this letter, can describe, but also my heart is bleeding, for what you have imposed on me, and I will now and forever, feel that you in some way have betrayed me. But you shall know, and never forget, that I love you. But I have to think ahead, and therefore I will not run away with you, because I do not believe that you can run from the truth. As much as I would, I can’t.  

yours truly Jane

Jane and Bertha



Dear Rochester
There have been a lot of thoughts through my head, since our eyes last saw each other. The day which should have been the best, and the first of my new life, took a sudden turn. I thought that I would be the one woman in your life, from now on. We cannot marry, as you already have a wife, and god was your witness. Not even a man like you, can go against god, and therefore you are bound to be the best husband to your wife, as you possibly can. For me there would be no point in being your second wife. Not to talk about living far away from society, and living with you, like a sister. With these reasons, I must leave you to your wife, and continue my search for a future husband. I cannot break they bond that you have, because your wife does have gods approval in this.
Goodbye.. for now.
Love Jane.

Edward

Dear Edward Facing the facts that you have, kept this secret behind my back for this long, is unforgiveable. I have thought of your offer, and I have to say no to ye. You have lied to me and lied in front of god in his holly house; therefore I have to leave you behind. And I can’t see you in my future. When I found out that you had a wife, I was so flabbergasted that I didn’t know what to do. So now after giving myself sometime to think, I have an answer for ye. I will not go with you, I know now deep in my heart, that you and I are not meant to be. Your beloved Jane.

Letter to Edward

Dear Edward. I am still really disappointed in you. And I believe that I always will be. I have had a lot in my mind, and a lot to consider. But I have made up my mind. I cannot believe that you have never told me about your wife Bertha. How could you keep such a thing from me? All these years that we have lived together you have lied to me, and kept a deep secret from me. I could never do that to you. You know me better than anyone else does, and so I thought that I knew you. Our relationship to each other is built on a lie. I know after this, that I cannot ever become your wife. As much as I wanted to become your wife before, I cannot go through with it now. You have betrayed me in every possible way. I am a trustworthy and faithful woman, who deserves a much better man than you. I cannot be with a man, who is not faithful. You ask me to move in with you in a far-away corner of the world, where we can be like brother and sister to each other. As pretty as it seems, I will not be able to make such an ‘act’. I hope for you to find some peace and clarity in your life. Jane. - Sanne og Camilla K
Dear Edward… 
 After I have thought deeply minded about your suggestion, 
about us living together in beautiful house - far far away. 
 I have made some considerations about, how our unforgettable relationship have been.
 You have made me lough and cry, through the moments we had together. 
 As I sit here alone, in this miserable world, with you in my heart.
 I feel only longing after you and your warm and deep personality. 
 You are not only my friend, but also my soul mate.
 Edward… although I don’t want to realize the fact, that you are the love of my life, I have this need inside myself, which tearing me apart. 
I still love you Edward – I do. 
 Living with you, would be like living in dream, but you are married. It is not our fate, to live these life’s together. Forgive me for my incomprehensibility.. Be safe.
 I will always love you Edward.
 XXX – Jane

Marina & Jeppe 

Letter


Dear Edward
I have thought of your suggestion about moving to your place far away,
and I must say that I love you too much to be with you as your sister. I think it will be too difficult, because we have been as close as a couple, and I think it will too erroneous having you as my brother.
Furthermore I must think about all the consequences it has to live with you when you are already married. It is against the norms and rules in society, and therefore I will disappoint my family if I do so.
In addition to this, I also have to give up my job,
my family and my daily life here in Thornfield, and I am not sure, if I want to take that risk.
I must be faithful to my family and to society.
I hope you would do the same and follow the norms and take good care of your real wife who sits alone in the attic, and love her to she dies.
I know that it can be difficult, and I know that it is hard when you love me, but God will help you. It will also be hard for me, because I love you, but it will be even harder for me to give up what I stand for.
I know you will make it, and I know you can love her, like you love me.
Lots of love
Jane

Anne-Sophie & Celine

Letter to #EdwardRochester


Dear Edward

A lot of thoughts have been running through my head, and I´ve made up my mind. The fact that you wanted to live as brother and sister did no good. I´m flattered that you would spend the rest of the life with me, but my intension was to become husband and wife.
  You have disappointed me. It was my dream to get married with the man that I love -You. But you greed ruined that. Your greed ruined my dreams, and my hope. Therefore I haft to go. Our worlds crossed, however they will never meet again. Goodbye.

Love Jane

Letter to Rochester


Dear Rochester.

I have thought about your proposal. And I have come to the conclusion that it would be wrong living together, even platonic as brother and sister. You are wed, and you belong with your wife, even though she is mentally unstable, it is your duty towards her, yourself and god to make her time as pleasant as you possibly can. It is so, because you promised her that in the presence of god, and therefore that promise is ever binding. You promised to love and cherish her for better and for worse, and what you are experiencing is worse. I wish we would have met earlier as I believe we would have made each other very happy indeed and I will love you forever, but goodbye my love.

Yours truly Jane. 

Letter to Edward


Letter to Edward

Dear my beloved Edward.
   Thank you for the kind words and the fact that you are still thinking off me. I’m appeased by the fact that you wish to spend the rest of you days with me, and deep down, my heart wants the same. But as I cannot live the fact that you are married to another woman, it is with immense grief that I have to inform, that as a lady, I decline you proposal. Edward I love you, but as a woman of my status and my conscience, that tells my otherwise, I am afraid that if I accept your proposal, I would be stigmatized and become unable to live with myself.
I am sorry Edward, but know that I will think of you, everyday.

Love, Jane (and Martin).

Letter to Edward Rochester

Dear Edward. I write to you, because I have something very important to tell you. You are the love of my life, and I am truly glad, that I have met such a kind and lovely person like you. But dear Edward... It is with great sorrow I have to tell you, that I cannot go with you to your secret house far far away.

I cannot go with you. A life without you as my beloved husband will be like a ship without it sails. I will not live a life as your companion, your sister..

A life like this would be a life in sin. A life where love is something that does not exist, and where the sun never shines. A life like this would be a life in eternal shadow.

I cannot live with fact, that we are not going to spend the rest of our life’s together, so when you read this letter I will already be dead… I believe in true love with no boundaries and in heaven we can be together forever as husband and wife.

Your love,

Jane


Simon und Mads.

Letter to Eddie


Dear Edward.
Even though your proposal is without a doubt very attractive, but I just can’t live with the fact that you kept such a secret from me, but yet I still haven’t made up my mind. So I’m writing this to you now, as much as I love you, I have to let you down for now. I must not give into the temptation of being with you, even though it is so hard to stay away from you. What wouldn’t the society think about our relationship, when they get to know about your wife, you know how gossip spreads these days…
My mind is split; I don’t know what to choose, you to be my life partner, but only as sisters, and to be an outcast of society, or to break my heart and say farewell to you for good.
I have not yet made my decision, and I don’t know when, if I ever will. It is just too hard for me to choose at this exact moment.
When I’ve made up my mind, I will write to you, so for now there is nothing more to say than goodbye

Love you.
Jane

Letter to Mr. Rochester (Jane Eyre)

Dear Mr. Rochester. I feel that I have no choice but to decline your suggestion. I fear that you are not aware of what you are asking me. The consequences of your actions would too be devastating for my family. I cannot simply pack my bags and go with you to a faraway, remote location from where I might never return. The people who raised me mean too much to me. They gave me life. To break their hearts in such a dishonorable way, would be a poor show of gratitude.

I did not mean to write the coming part, but I feel that I would be betraying myself, and you, by not letting you know that I do not make this decision easily. I have never loved any man as fiercely as I love you. Every night before going to sleep, I feel in my heart a deep longing. I long for you, even though I am certain that I will never be able to be with you. My Heart is telling me to follow you wherever you might go, but my mind is telling me that I cannot leave my family behind.
I will not follow you, but my heart will stay with you forever.


Yours forever,
Jane



Andreas & Anders.

Letter to Rochester


Dear Edward

I’m honoured that you would suggest that I could come live with you. I have considered your suggestion, but I don’t think I could live with you just as brother and sister. I very much regret that I have to decline your offer. You were very kind to me, but one little lie, and now I don’t think I can trust you.

Love Jane

Sorry.


Dear Edward

I’ve carefully considered your offer, and I must I’m truly and most dearly flattered. I must agree we indeed could have a wonderful life together, and I sure do believe there is a reason why we’ve crossed paths. If we move in together I don’t want people to call me a harlot. My heart is devoted to you and only you my love. Unfortunately I cannot stay true to myself if I’m not the only one in yours.

Love Jane.
To my dearest Edward I thank you for your lovely proposal, i really haven't finished thinking about it. I love you, i really truly do, and i want to be with you, for the rest of my life. My only concern, is that i cannot sleep in the same beds as you, and kiss, and hug, and caress your body as i really would like it. my love is so much more than just like being a relative to you, actually just now, i made up my mind, i cannot stay with you, if you do not want to have children with me, and love med as your wife, and not as a sister. Good bye, - Love Jane

Monday, September 3, 2012

The Victorian Age - initial thoughts :-)

Here are your immediate ideas regarding the Victorian Age, based on the film clip from Dracula. 


Science & industry
-In science and technology, the Victorians invented the modern idea of invention -- the notion that one can create solutions to problems, that man can create new means of bettering himself and his environment.
-Skilled workers (carpenters, typesetters,etc.) £75-100
-Increase in factories. An massive amount of people disapeared (worked) in the factories, because of the technology (steam), and the beginning of industrialism.



-Men and Women (sex roles in the Victorian age)
- In the middle class and upper class, women were supposed to have no sexual contact before they were married.
- Even when a woman was married, she had no independent legal status.

- Women had no right to any money (earned, inherited, etc.)

- Women could not make a will or buy property and they had no claim to their children, she had to move with him wherever he went.
- If the husband died, he could name the mother as the guardian, but he did not have to do so.
- So women did not have any rights, and the men was absolutely over the women – (patriarchal society)
- Middle- and upper-class men, could even buy sex before and after they were married.
- But homosexuality was not legal, and was therefore punishable by death.

SOCIAL CLASS
Working class - men and women who performed physical labor, and paid daily or weekly wages.
Middle class - men who performed mental or "clean" work, and paid monthly or annually.
Upper class - did not work, and their income came from inherited land and investments.
Typical Incomes (annual)
Aristocrats - £30,000
Merchants, bankers - £10,000
Middle-class (doctors, lawyers, clerks)- £300-800
Lower middle-class (head teachers, journalists, shopkeepers, etc.) - £150-300
Skilled workers (carpenters, typesetters,etc.) - £75-100
Sailors and domestic staff - £40-75
Laborers, soldiers - £25

Brief overview upon The Victorian Age


The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901 It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence for Britain.

The population of England almost doubled from 16.8 million in 1851 to 30.5 million in 1901. The reason why, was mainly because the medical and health advancements.

In science and technology, the Victorians invented the invention of inventing inventions.  An important development during the Victorian era was the improvement of communication links. Stagecoaches, canals, steam ships and most notably the railways all allowed goods, raw materials and people to be moved about, rapidly facilitating trade and industry.

The British got corn and cotton from The United States of America and meat from Australia. When the people during the industrial revolution was not needed anymore, they moved to the city, to get a job at a new factory.

So the industrial revolution boosted the urbanisation, creating slums and cramped row housing in the overcrowded cities.