The Golem & The Tyger

Although, the Golem and the Tyger represent the same elements of fire and water, I believe they both have different purposes. The Golem was created in order to protect the Jews from harm representing a sense of hope for the Jews while the Tyger represents deadliness. The tyger is a creature that people grow to fear and must operate with caution around it, unlike the Golem who is there to protect. I see it as the Golem was created to protect the Jews from creatures like the Tyger.

Perestroika Act V & The Dream of the Rood

I noticed a comparison between Prior and the dreamer. They both have visions that feel them each with hope and desire. Prior's vision of heaven finally feels him with hope and helps him to realize that he is not ready to die. He desires life and wishes to continue his life on earth because he is not ready to go yet. While Prior desires life on earth, the dreamer desires eternal life. The dreamer's vision of Jesus and the cross feels him with hope and desire to one day be able to see the cross again.

Perestroika Act IV & No Worst, There in None

I was able to get the same feeling in reading both pieces. Each had a depressing and harsh tone which brought out the misery experienced in each character. Not one character is not going through some type of pain whether it be emotional or physical, internal or external. I've learned that everything comes to an end and there is no comfort in death.

Perestroika Act III & Spring and Fall

My interpretation of Spring and Fall with Act III of Perestroika was that Prior and Harper’s struggle with reality and fantasy can be interpreted through Spring and Fall. Spring is their escape from reality because it is a lively place, filled with beautiful blossoming trees. While Fall is the reality they cannot escape, where the ugly truth is experienced through the decaying and death of these once beautiful trees. Spring represents to me the beautiful life they once lived before the horrific truth of Fall ruined that world for them.

Perestroika Act II & Thou Art Indeed Just, Lord

In reading these two pieces, I feel as though both Prior and the speaker share a connection. They both feel as if they are being mistreated, whether it be through God or someone else. My interpretation is that Prior and the speaker of the poem are disappointed by these people. Their disappointment comes from abandonment or being mistreated. Further, I interpreted that the speaker is indirectly describing Prior and Louis. Hopkins speaks these bad people who seem to prosper while the good people seem to suffer. Louis, who has abandoned Prior when he needs him the most, seems as though he is moving on with his life as though nothing is wrong with no hardships. While Prior has done nothing wrong, must not only suffer from dying of AIDS, but deal with the abandonment of someone who he loves more than anyone.

Act III & Ash Wednesday

In reading Ash Wednesday and Act III, the only character I could think of was Roy. Roy is a man who needs God's mercy for all the terrible deeds he has done, whether it be past or present. As it explains in Ash Wednesday, judgment is upon and I hope at Roy's hour of death that his judgment will not be too heavy upon him. In my opinion, Roy lacks faith and needs to move more towards God, where he can find salvation.

Act I & Pied Beauty

In these scenes of the first act we see just how the world is full of many imperfections as explained in Pied Beauty. Yet, there can still be beauty found in these imperfections through God. I feel as though that the spiritual world is what connects all these characters, regardless of their flaws. This "pied beauty" of the world is praised by Hopkins and exploited through the characters who live in this world.

Scenes 1-6 & Batter My Heart

I compared the speaker in the poem to Prior. They both seem to need someone in order to help them get through something. I realized the speaker was in a desperated need for God's help in the lines that read, ""I can't do this by myself," and "I need a violent, conquering God to get me out of this." Then in Act II, Scene 5, Prior proclaims to Belize that he wants his boyfriend because he's dying and he needs him. Both characters to seem to be dependent on others and won't be able to overcome a rough time without them.

Scenese 5-9 & A Hymn to God the Father

I feel as though both pieces have to do with acceptance. Whether it be accepting death or that your husband is a homosexual, each character has a difficult truth that he or she must face. It isn't always easy to face these truths. Some people cover up the truth with denial or avoid it all together, but theres a point in time when a person must face the truth no matter how hard it may be to accept.