Comments by Mr. Douglas Cosgriff Most recent public comments by Mr. Douglas Cosgriff https://nowcomment.com/users/11289 Because it is a diary, the author's conclusion is almost for himself alone, and "go figure" follows the same pattern of engaging the audience in something they can relate to. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=292913 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=292913 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:08 -0800 I think its even interesting that the conductor was the one asking for the tickets, let alone commenting on where you are going. Not something that I have ever experienced in my travels. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=292911 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=292911 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:08 -0800 It furthers the point that this is an American in England, and they handle things differently. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=292910 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=292910 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:41 -0800 You weren't exactly saying the house was in the best of shape, but you did view it with a sense of respect and admiration, which I'm sure the owner agreed and enjoyed. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=292909 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=292909 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:08 -0800 The reader can draw on this experience and compare it to a similar dynamic they have with their own family member. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=292906 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=292906 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:08 -0800 The author is telling the reader that he was alive and knowledgeable about things that could have effected Plath's livelihood, but in no way knew that they had as he didn't even know who Plath was yet. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=292901 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=292901 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:39 -0800 "How orderly of the British." https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=292898 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=292898 The author doesn't take a side on which he likes better. He is simply just noting the difference. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:08 -0800 The use of first person is definitely a major factor. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=292895 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25283?scroll_to=292895 Also, the direction the piece goes in tells of how the writers thought process was. For example, when you are standing outside waiting in line, and you recall NYC, you can instantly think of Plath, which leads to information for the reader. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:08 -0800 Its no longer about the negative effects that later affected her work, but what got motivated her to have future work at all. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=287279 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=287279 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:00 -0800 It shows the narrative as a complete work. Why else would the reader care about the author's past if it didn't have an impact on all her work, early or late? https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=287278 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=287278 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:00 -0800 "Perhaps" would be much less effective here. "Perhaps" would be more of a "maybe" and wouldn't have the reader really consider the possibility that Mildred was depressed. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=287277 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=287277 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:00 -0800 Its a reminder that the information we are reading came from what Sontag wants us to know. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=287276 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=287276 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:00 -0800 Its what the reader was thinking by that point and it is placed there to effectively show that the author knows and agrees. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=287275 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=287275 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:00 -0800 Although Sontag's intentions are understood, there is much more room for interpretation of her life. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=287274 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=287274 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:00 -0800 Its how Sontag perceives and is recanting it, though its doesn't necessarily have to be accurate. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=287273 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=287273 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:00 -0800 The first paragraph shows that Sontag thinks and questions things. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=287272 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25280?scroll_to=287272 The reader is prepared to see that Sontag was misunderstood as a child, as she was called "high-strung" although she was someone who questioned her surroundings and thoughts rather than simply accept them. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:00 -0800 Quotations both set the scene as well as help the reader understand a person's beliefs, intentions, or actions. In this and other paragraphs, it aids in understanding the stagnant behavior and the thoughts behind what is happening. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25279?scroll_to=283673 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25279?scroll_to=283673 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:55 -0800 Background is important as it helps understand each aspect of the narrative's timeline. In this paragraph, background aids the reader to understand where certain people were at different times, as well as the reasons why and how they got there. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25279?scroll_to=283669 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25279?scroll_to=283669 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:55 -0800 The role of chronology is not only to show the ordered events that led to her suicide, but the ups and downs that led there, while also allowing the reader to know how certain events effected her livelihood and works. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25279?scroll_to=283666 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25279?scroll_to=283666 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:55 -0800 The reader gets a sense of discernment just before he/she knows of the faults. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25276?scroll_to=275121 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25276?scroll_to=275121 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:50 -0800 Mixed. Her knowledge may be contrived. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25276?scroll_to=275120 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25276?scroll_to=275120 The review is mixed as the writer points out the flaws that were blatantly obvious in both her style and knowledge of the subject, but also goes on to say that it has an obsessive quality about it. One of the biographer's strength and weakness is that while she is giving all of this information to us, making the reader feel like we are really getting in depth knowledge of Eva, her knowledge may be contrived. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:50 -0800 She is stating her beliefs as fact. "Eva never complained..." How could she ever know that? https://nowcomment.com/documents/25276?scroll_to=275119 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25276?scroll_to=275119 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:50 -0800 It is possible that it may have been much harder on Mailer, rather than say that his critics' view of his work is open to interpretation. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25275?scroll_to=270148 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25275?scroll_to=270148 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:46 -0800 It leaves room for argument. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25275?scroll_to=270147 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25275?scroll_to=270147 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:46 -0800 Hemingway fits into the macho age. I believe that it wasn't so much as a real thing as it was something that the writer proclaimed himself. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25275?scroll_to=270146 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25275?scroll_to=270146 Both in everyday life and in writing, this type of person is separating themselves from ideas that could be considered elitist. Also, Mailer's obvious view of females in his position show that he viewed his masculinity as something that made him better. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:46 -0800 In this regard, I believe that his work was sloppy. He was focused on a certain identity he had to fit and therefore didn't put greater thought into his stylistic choices. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25275?scroll_to=270140 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25275?scroll_to=270140 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:46 -0800 The first paragraph establishes who Mailer was, for those who hadn't previously known, and how experienced he was. It also quickly tells that he is dead. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25275?scroll_to=270137 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25275?scroll_to=270137 While I think most obituaries would state his notable work early on, an obituary might be complimentary to the person's personality and lifestyle rather than just what the person has achieved. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:48 -0800 West means to say that although Pankhurst was inconsistent as well as controversial in her methods, she never lost sight of her goal: woman's suffrage. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266846 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266846 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:46:09 -0800 West's biographical profile was that of a woman who, although not always consistent in her actions, continually strived for women's suffrage regardless of her political affiliation or lack thereof. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266553 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266553 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:41 -0800 Our meanings and views are different than those of the past. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266551 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266551 Often, our viewpoints now and the viewpoints of people from the past are not always in alignment. The way we would view Pankhurst today for her feminist actions would be that of someone much more Democratic. However, the terms used to describe Pankhurst during her time are not the same. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:43 -0800 Pankhurst played a large role in the woman's suffrage movement. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266531 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266531 As Sylvia revered her mother as someone "too tired to think", West made sure that her readers understood that both Pankhurst and her followers were realists. Even so, her part in the efforts are not as prominently recognized as they could've been. Still, her actions brought about much change. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:43 -0800 The way to change anything is not just through the quality of an idea, but more importantly by gaining a large amount of people to follow you. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266512 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266512 Pankhurst needed a political attribute to remain consistent with, otherwise her strives for suffrage would've slowed. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:43 -0800 The war, Lloyd George, and the abandoning of protest https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266511 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266511 Both her supporting the war effort, as well as her alliance with Lloyd George. Also, Purvis explains that Pankhurst knew the way to achieve more for women was not through public protest. Thus, she was now publicly supporting the government for reasons that used to make her protest against it. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:43 -0800 Sylvia's triumph comes as someone more consistent. It makes much more sense now that she was apart of a more socialistic movement and thus becomes someone who is easier to stand behind. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266509 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266509 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:42 -0800 Both https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266507 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266507 Pankhurst's description as an autocrat makes her both as many of her views were supportive of the Conservative Party while often her actions were much more Radical. Thus, she may have moments that deem her autocratic, but her beliefs are still often democratic. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:42 -0800 Political dynamics are the relevant details that lead to any change in our government or laws. Pankhurst's experience in this show that she understood her petitions would have much more effect through public protest. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266489 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266489 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:42 -0800 Pankhurst reacted to the political dynamic of the time. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266487 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266487 Pankhurst's actions could arguably be based on her encounters with the political dynamics of the time. She saw that her peaceful petitions were getting her no where and knew what she had to do. I don't believe that she depended on the political dynamic of the time, rather she just reacted to it. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:42 -0800 Pankhurst's behavior shows that like other constitutionalists, she can peacefully petition. However, when that petition doesn't do much at first, Pankhurst went the extra step and publicly protested, often. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266467 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266467 Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:42 -0800 Being a feminist does not cancel out being a good wife. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266427 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266427 West is showing the idea that a woman can be a feminist and believe in equality, and with that equality make her own decisions. Pankhurst had the right to believe what she wanted, and still be a homemaker. Neither veto the other. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:42 -0800 It is difficult because it is hard to be a united cause that has moments of contradictory action. History has a way of sizing people down into one viewpoint. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266426 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266426 It is difficult for political movements to deal with paradox because it is much easier to get behind something that doesn't have moments that are contradictory to the overall movement. Pankhurst, like any human being, was not the embodiment of every single Conservative ideal. In understanding history, many things aren't always black or white. Pankhurst's motives were often a gray area as she is continually painted as someone controversial in her actions. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:42 -0800 Left-controlled historiography allows for a different picture to painted of Pankhurst's motives for her beliefs. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266348 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266348 Left-controlled historiography is meant to show how Pankhurst's actions and beliefs have been construed as actions against the Conservative Party. However, Pankhurst was much more of a supporter to the Conservative Party over the Labor Party throughout her movement. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:41 -0800 The quotation sets the ground for what the paragraph draws from. Reading the quotation again after reading the paragraph makes it much more powerful than it already was. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266345 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266345 The quotation tells the reader how courageous Pankhurst was, while even going as far to say the treatment she experienced while she was imprisoned. It ends touching on how she would have lived had her "social conscience" been quieted. The paragraph draws from this statements and provides information that the quotation did not. The paragraph tells the reader of the courageous actions, the moments that had landed her in jail. The reader now knows that Pankhurst's views were that women deserved to be treated as full citizens, and overall makes the quotation that much more powerful. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:41 -0800 Baldwin was a Prime Minister and publicly stated that Pankhurst's fame will live on. However, the review ends with West stating that everyone has forgotten. This also reflects the Conservative Party's actions. https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266340 https://nowcomment.com/documents/25274?scroll_to=266340 The review starts with the quotation from Stanley Baldwin because of what the statement indicates. Baldwin was a Prime Minister and publicly stated that Pankhurst's fame will live on. However, the review ends with West stating that everyone has forgotten. Similarly, the Conservative Party may have publicly been more supportive of women's suffrage than liberals in their ideals, but they didn't do much of anything to make that happen. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 05:45:41 -0800