Breaking through Daily Constraints (Blog post 3)

Breaking Through Daily Constraints

            As I learned in our last exercise of self-analysis, technology confines the way we communicate with each other and our world. But in light of our readings this week, as humans, we are confined to much more. For example, we are confined to societal pressures, certain expectations, our own mindset, etc. These boundaries become more apparent juxtaposed next to freedom. On September 27^th, I found myself making this realization as I watched The American Shakespeare Society’s rendition of Macbeth. The show was performed with all the audience lights on, in order to honor the way plays were conducted in day of Shakespeare- showing how the play was confined by tradition. Similarly, this message unfolded more throughout the plot of the play. Going hand in hand with Macbeth, our readings by Mitsuye Yamada and Edgar Allan Poe emphasized the natural contrast between freedom and constraint.

            Macbeth, itself, has a tradition to uphold. As I mentioned, the theater worked really hard to uphold its status. However, despite the setup of the play- the plot itself emphasizes the power of the constraint of our mind. The play opened with the witches making their prediction that Macbeth would have the crown fall upon his head… overhearing this prophesy of kingship, greed becomes deeply rooted in Macbeth. He is hungry for the crown and does not let fate play its role, instead he takes fate into his own hands by killing King Duncan. His confinement to this mindset is represented by his famous soliloquy in which he imagines a dagger floating before him. Soon enough though, on the contrast, Macbeth is confined by what he has done and the murder he has committed. His mind goes mad and he has a multitude of hallucinations. Macbeth is a representation of the way our mind and goals keep us blinded from reality and our ability to accept fate.

            In a different sense, Mitsuye Yamada’s poem “Cincinnati” represents just the opposite as it portrays the dream she held for freedom. The speaker proclaims this freedom saying, “Freedom at last….no one knew me.” She is ecstatic for a fresh start in a new city. But this dream is crushed as she realizes society is confined to the past and rooted in stereotypes. As the speaker travels through this city, it is true they do not really know her, but because she is Japanese- certain aspects are simply associated with her. This poem emphasizes society’s failure to break free from accepted stereotypes and think for themselves in light of reality.

            As we move to Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Cask of Amontillado,” Freedom and Confinement are placed side by side in order to emphasize each other. In order for the speaker to gain his freedom he must get revenge on Fortunato. This in itself shows the contradiction- in order for one character to free, the other must be confined/die. Similarly, as the story progresses with the characters traveling further and further into the crypt, the possibility of freedom lessens with each step.

            These three works of art embody a message of the daily struggle for freedom. Freedom from technology, expectations, emotions, and more. This message is especially true here at Loyola- as we should always strive to accept our fate, work to not seek revenge, to accept people for who they are and not play into stereotypes. These readings inspire us to help freedom prevail against the confinements we encounter day to day. Like in Theodore Roethke’s “My Papas Waltz” the boy clings onto his father like death clings on to us… We are challenged to let go of what we cling onto and appreciate our freedom and the world around us.