Where I'm Calling From Sickness is a part of life, and sometimes a gateway to death. There are many different kinds of sickness- some that strike hard and fast, and others that are slow, painful, and consuming. Alcoholism is a sickness of the latter variety. It slowly takes over a victim's life, ripping away loved ones while ravaging the victim's body from head to toe- beginning with the mind. The healing process is all that can rescue one from sickness- it is the only way to stray from its path and avoid death. In Raymond Carver's, "Where I'm Calling From," the narrator's attempted recovery from years of alcoholism is documented in detail. The story specifically focuses on the damage that alcoholism does to relationships, and how recovering from that damage can be the most difficult part of the healing process. The narrator begins the story in Frank Martin's drying-out facility. He is a drunk, and has checked into the home for the second time. At the beginning of the story, some of the physical dysfunctions associated with the disease are revealed, and they range from shakes and tremors to seizures. This part of the story is used by Carver to display the physical problems that result from withdrawal from alcohol. It is clear that these problems are significant, but overcoming them doesn't compare to the task of repairing the bonds with family members and friends that have been destroyed. In this story, the healing process is quite unique for the characters in that it involves a large group of men, all suffering from the same illness, pulling together and supporting each other through the pain- almost like a modern day leper colony. They are separated from their family and friends, and are ... ... middle of paper ... ...e call to his wife. "She'll ask me where I'm calling from, and I'll have to tell her...There's no way to make a joke out of this" (Carver 296). That is what it all comes back to. He will have to tell her that he is still trying to get well, and he must hope that she'll wait for him. His disease is what cost him his marriage, and there is no way he can bring himself to joke or lie about it. He realizes that it is all his fault. The narrator's disease is unique in that his physical addiction will never be cured, but he still has hope of finding happiness and love by refusing to drink. And, if he is to survive, it will be his need for both love and happiness that must control him, and steer him clear of the path of sickness. Works Cited Carver, Raymond. "Where I'm Calling From." Where I'm Calling From. New York: Random House, Inc., 1989. 278-296.
The book opens with the narrator, James, waking up on an airplane. He is bleeding, missing four teeth, and has a broken nose. He doesn't know how he got these injuries or where he is going. They tell him that a concerned friend of his contacted them and that his injuries were the result of a fall down a fire escape. James has no recollection of this. James's parents and brother drive him to a rehabilitation clinic. James has three roommatesLarry, Warren, and John. James believes that it's better if no one gets too close to him, since he views himself as a destructive, damaging force with very little to contribute to anyone's life. He is convinced that believing in AA is just exchanging one addiction for another. He embarks on his journey in rehab, always thinking at anytime that he will be leaving because rehab is not for him'. Not a good start seeing how badly he needs some kind of help.
Drinking: A Love Story (1996) is a memoir by Caroline Knapp where she shares her experience of gradually becoming an alcoholic. She found drinking to be the most important relationship in her life; she loved how it made her feel, how it coped with her fears and worries. She chronicles some of the effort and self-realization required for recovery from this addiction, but her primary focus is on the charm, seductiveness, and destructiveness that she was able to find in two decades as an alcoholic, hopelessly in love with liquor. Her relationship with alcohol started in early teenage years and progressed through young adulthood, until she finally checked herself into a rehabilitation center at the age of thirty-four.
What makes Perpetua’s story captivating and memorable besides being a Christian martyr during the Roman empire, she was the only one to keep a diary during her imprisonment. Her experiences as an elite noblewoman reflected her leadership skills and education to shape her and the others’ memory. Perhaps one of the most extraordinary aspects of Perpetua’s story was her dreams. Her identity of a prophet helped her cause of martyrdom. The spread of prophecies among the Christian community was not uncommon. Throughout the ancient world prophecies were a sign of the divine among the living. For example, the most acclaimed prophet was the Pythian priestess at the Oracle of Delphi for
Although she never participated in this ritual herself, she grew up hearing many many stories of these sacrifices. The best example of these stories is the story of Queen Dido, which is told in the book. Queen Dido was a Carthaginian queen who built her own funeral pyre, then climbed on it and killed herself with her own sword. Dido is said to have sacrificed herself because of her love for Aeneas. Although the redemption in this ritual is not the redemption of oneself, it is a very powerful kind of redemption. The people of Carthage felt they needed redemption for the cause they believed in. For most Carthaginians, the opportunity to die for a cause was a deeply ingrained value (p. 56). I feel that this influenced Perpetua’s identity by showing how the society as a whole felt the need to redeem themselves and their causes. This helps Perpetua end her own life in the arena when her executioner misses on his first try. This also helped Perpetua feel comfortable with her need for redemption and willing to seek that redemption in her own rituals like her
The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas takes place 203 AD on March 7 . They were martyr during the military games in Carthage, which were being held for emperor Geta’s birthday . Carthage is located in Northern Africa across the Mediterranean Sea from Sicily. In the third century, Carthage was a roman city that had a large Christian population that included Montanists and Catholics.
The Orthodox interpretation of Shakespeare's Othello is built on two assumptions; that Othello is not a jealous man and that Iago has no motives. Although there are many examples of these opinions within the play, I believe there is much more evidence which contradict these two statements, which allow me to conclude that Othello is in fact a jealous man and that Iago does have motives. As the play progresses the audience witness the development and increasing complexity of the characters. This change is particularly evident in Othello as he changes from the proud, eloquent, decicive leader in Act 1 to the petty, irrational, jealous, pathologically suspicious and emotionally unstable man at the end of the play.
His military position is equal to or, in his eyes, better than Cassio. Iago has all the qualities of a powerful leader and brainwasher. Blooms claims that “Iago is a genius in his trickery; however, he is a skeptic of his own ability and cleverness,” which intends that Iago feels a sense of guilt in what he is doing but has the utmost power to manipulate over and over again until he gets what he wants. There was no doubt that there was uncertainty within Iago in what he was doing; after all, he was basically commanding death without formally saying it. Iago’s power falls in the fact that he is a wonderful actor and can persuade somebody quicker than most could. Othello fell for that completely and with Iago reigning the bigger person, Othello was being belittled and he did not even know it. The phrase “Honest Iago” was used many times throughout the book. It was used not only by Othello, but also Iago himself. Othello uses it in great confidence, inferring that the times he’s used it in regards to Iago have been of that nature (Abernathy). “Honest Iago” is the big element of irony in the classic tragedy. It is completely false- Iago’s whole setup is lies. However, in some ways this has truth in that Iago is honest in what he wants and how he wants to obtain it. The whole reason Othello stared to trust Iago was because he sided with him in the new assumptions and they both, together turned on Cassio together
Atsma, Aaron J. “Persephone.” The Theoi Project, Aaron J. Atsma, 2000. Web 26 Nov. 2013
Othello puts a great amount of trust in Iago and never doubts what he has to say. This becomes a trap for Othello because the more trust he puts in the hands of Iago, the easier it is for Iago to influence and manipulate Othello. Iago takes advantage of the fact that Othello is not from Venice, making it seems as if he knows everything about the culture and women. This can be seen when Iago states “I know our Country disposition well.” Along with giving Othello false information about the women in Venice cheating on their husbands by stating “In Venice they do let God see the pranks.” Iago’s sneaky ways makes Othello rely and trust him for cultural guidance and also putting the thought in his mind that his wife may cheat on him. Othello then questions his judgment on Desdemona, and he also becomes extremely
For Adult Children of Alcoholics, surviving their families becomes the point of existence. The fortunate may be able to draw support from a supportive adult, and may emerge with fewer difficulties than their brothers and sisters. The majority, however, have to “make do.” Some spend lonely hours in their rooms wishing only to vanish behind the woodwork. Others attempt to rescue the foundering vi...
The life of an addict is defined by a constant state catch and release with sobriety. The addict’s life is a constant state of New Year’s resolutions of cleaning up their own life and attaining the blissful state of sobriety. In Raymond Carver’s short story “Where I’m Calling From,” he describes the story of a few men who are in a “drying out” facility trying to recover from alcoholism. While at the facility, the director tells some of the men to read a work of literature by Jack London.The narrator of “Where I’m Calling From” recalls having read Jack London’s short story titled “To Build a Fire.” By alluding to “To Build a Fire,” Carver uses London’s short story as a metaphor for the impending doom the narrator of “Where I’m Calling From” faces as an alcoholic.
Another flaw in the play that can be used to question Iago's credibility is his actual ability to persuade and manipulate Othello. ?Iago, the protagonist is yes evil but yet fascinating. His methods of deception when planting the, ?seeds of poison,? into Othello?s mind are astounding, how he can make an experienced man of the world (although granted he is not experienced in the ways of women, a factor Iago plays upon) believe a shallow and very unstable lie is amazing?? (Charlie Clough, Dec 2002). This could advocate two things: Iago must have an amazing ability to manipulate and persuade other people (though this astonishing ability is put to use without a main purpose) or Othello, despite our early impressions of him, is gullible and irresponsible with his opinion so we begin to question whether Othello is worthy of his title and position.
There are many times where the narrator describes his actions towards his loved ones while under the influence of alcohol. Since the narrator is trying to draw the attention to his consumption of alcohol, he tries to make sure that his actions trace back to it. In the short story, the narrator says "But my disease grew upon me -- for what disease is like Alcohol !..."(Poe 23) which shows his addiction for alcohol becoming stronger. The narrator's madness seems to be heightened by the alcohol. He begins to chan...
In conclusion, I feel that education is a very important thing. Everyone should be educated at least in the basics. People should care about themselves and want to make themselves the best that they can be and not just settle for what they are. Education should instill the desire to achieve in our students. New things are discovered everyday. Keeping up with society can be difficult but I definitely think that it has its rewards. I feel that God has given me a gift for being able to help others by teaching. I want to do all that I can to help shape the future of our society by using my talent to the best of my ability.
Much like Proserpina who represents the springtime, Perdita exemplifies the natural growth and prosperity that accompanies the season. When Antigonus agrees to take up Perdita and leave her to chance, he understands that she is nature’s child since “Some powerful spirit instruct the kites and ravens / To be thy nurses. Wolves and bears, they say, / Casting their savageness aside, have done / Like offices of pity” (II.iii.185-8). Nature then raises the infant as her own when Perdita takes on natural attributes uncommon among humankind. Before Antigonus abandons the infant Perdita in accordance with Leontes’ orders, he addresses the babe, “Blossom, speed thee well” (III.iii.45), as though Perdita resembles a flower in full bloom.