Between the Pool and the Gardenias

In this story, the female character who is a countrymaid, finds a baby on the ground wrapped in a blanket. Throughout the story, she takes a lot of pride in caring and spending time with this baby whom she names Rose. I think she was so enthused about Rose because her previous experiences with pregnancy have resulted in miscarriages. Though Rose was dead, she was an actual baby, a being that could be held. Being able to feel this baby caused the maid to lose her grasp on reality and live in a fantasy world. In this fantasy world, Rose could be the daughter. "Little Rose, my child" she says. She knows Rose is quiet and doesn't cry, but then tries to justify this by saying Rose is simply a good baby. For once, this maid could have her daughter and could use the clothes that she had made for her previous 'hopes'. 


At the end of the story, the gardener confronts her about the corpse she has been showing affection to over the past few days and thinks that she "kills children who haven't even had time to earn their soul". However, I think that the maid views this situation as somewhat of her own family picture: the gardener, Rose, and her.

Half and Half

In this poem, Nye speaks about her religious culture. In the beginning of the poem, the anecdote she uses tells of a Palestinian Christian was telling her that she cant ‘t be devoted to different religions. He says, “If you love Jesus you can’t love anyone else”. Though this may be true as it relates to Christianity, does this mean that she is supposed to negate the rest of her traditions and cultures? Throughout the poem, Nye speaks of a time when she goes to church and the priests are for once not fighting over where they should stand. To me, I saw this as an oxymoron, because fighting isn’t a representation of love, fighting and love are not synonymous.

At the end of the poem, Nye recalls when a woman was making soup in church, using leftovers, shriveling and aging vegetables, leaving nothing out. I felt as though this related to Nye in regards to her culture. She should embrace everything that has helped shape the person she is today, regardless if it is a mixture of different customs.

Blood

In the poem "Blood" by Nye, she talks about the cultural difference that she and her father experience since being in America. In the beginning of the poem, Nye describes various events from her childhood that depicted the simplicity of the culture, however, at the end of the poem, she asked the question "What does a true Arab do now?" because she confronts an environment unlike her home. To me this implies that they were somewhat confused and out of their comfort zone. Being in America consisted of a different lifestyle which they were not accustomed to.

The title "Blood" can also be a reference to being an Arab and throughout the poem she describes the difference in society and culture. Being an Arab is what she learned as a child, but was also a summation of  her father's entire life.

Dream Deferred By: Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode? 

Dream Deferred By: Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?