The Picture of Dennis Tierney

even though I am probably the complete opposite of Mr. Gray, the fabulous man he is...
This book, despite what everyone else is saying, is rather interesting to me. The only part I have been rather bored with was the details of folklore on jewelry and tapestry throughout the ages. I find the banter between the trio of characters to be quite enjoyable, while it has nothing and yet everything to do with the plot of the novel. The back and forth between Lord Henry and whomever might be his victim has awaken a part of my mind that has laid dormant for a few years. The philosophical arguments at the beginning of the story had me smiling, frowning, nodding, shaking my head, and laughing. The though bouncing between two similar yet un-similar beliefs, with Lord Henry and Basil jump-started my philosophic ideas and brainstorms from years past, and how different my ideas have become. This opening of a portal into the past through simple dialogue in a book about a man who corrupts his youth is quit interesting.
I find myself, more and more as the novel draws to an end, to be in line with poor Basil, long gone, (although some bias might be held due to my close relation to the visual arts) and a grand hater of Lord Henry, whom reminds me all too well of people in my own life. Everyone must have such people in their lives, people that play games, that pry into your mind, and plant the seeds of sin. Nowadays we have a public market for that, television and the Internet, even the education system can sneak this into a regular routine. But I start to sound like a crazy conspiracy theorist when I talk like this, and yet...
Well, I guess I enjoy the dialogue of the book more than I do the actual premise that a panting is reflecting a man's soul, instead of him getting old and ugly. And I am quite disappointed that Basil(love the name), however predictable, had to die. Goes along with the whole tortured artist deal though, so I guess I can look it over. Although, I could be saying this pre-maturely, seeing as how I need to read the last few pages tonight, but still. The good Lord Henry sure has made me think as much as he has made the characters think, but I think(hope, maybe the better word,) that his words are having about as much effect as they did on Basil. It is nice to be thinking again, drifting through the days hollow-minded was getting old. I should probably write some of this down... but no time for it now, got to finish this book first.
good night

Currenty revocering from 2 days of food poisoning, please be nice

I guess since the main thing we are talking about in class lately is gender roles and such, I'll try to touch on that. It has been interesting to talk about how drastic the differences in gender roles can be from a change in time period or country. However, being one of the seven to eight males in a classroom that is mostly female, including the teacher, I can't help but feel horrible when we talk of the past and read novels such as The Awakening and A Thousand Splendid Suns. But one thing I can do, is appreciate the difference I can see between the books and today's lifestyle of women. Granted, I might not be able to connect to the feminist novels as much as a woman in my class could, but I try. And it is always awkward talking or writing about this topic, I am always afraid I might say something wrong, and being in a groggy, half sick mind-set isn't helping think clearly anyway... but anyway.
It is almost mind blowing when you compare these novels to our life style. Compared to A Thousand Splendid Suns, women in America are a thousand steps ahead. Women can be whatever they want to be, don't have to rely on a man at their side or expected to produce a worthy offspring. Women are free to explore the possibilities of life, not sent off to the highest bidder when they are of age.
I am going to stop where I think I have made my point, and hope I didn't say anything stupid.
I am tired and haven't eaten anything in a day or so... I might try to hold down some toast... after a quick nap.
good night.