Just Keep Swimming ♬

"She wanted to swim far out, where no woman had swum before," and that is exactly what Edna does. Realizing how 'easy' it is, she goes more and more away from shore, until she is suddenly struck by the fear that she might have come too far and that she might not have the strength to make it back. But she makes it anyways.

The moment of truth.

Edna has finally become 'independent', separate from the social constraints put on her. This moment of swimming far out symbolizes her freedom and shows her confidence in her newfound self-awareness. However, the fear that something might go wrong is still present, and Edna might not have had the full realization yet.

The effects of this recent awakening can be seen a bit later, at night, when Mr. Pontellier asks Edna to come in. Edna downright refuses. She states that at any other time, "she would have gone in at his request. She would, through habit, have yielded to his desire; not with any sense of submission or obedience to his compelling wishes, but unthinkingly, as we walk, move, sit, stand, go through the saily treadmill of the life which has been portioned out to [women]." This irritates Mr. Pontellier, who continuously asks Edna to come in and is refused every time. Edna makes herself clear, saying that she will not answer him back if she is talked to in a commanding way again. Later, when Edna cannot hold back the sleep any longer, she goes in and asks Mr. Pontellier to come in, and he replies that he will, after finishing his cigar.

This scene not only shows a different, transformed Edna from before, but it also indicates that Mr. Pontellier cannot really do anything about it. In the end, however, Edna goes to sleep, and when she asks Mr. Pontellier whether he will come in, he says he will, later. This implies that Edna doesn't have the choice of going to bed at the time she wants to, while Mr. Pontellier does.

Although the oppresion continues, the change has begun.


Change.

Speaking of change, I shall be calling Mr. Pontellier by the name 'Leonce' from now and on. Mr. Pontellier is way too long. And formal.

AIWBB

Can Hamlet Change?

As I might have mentioned once or twice in previous posts, Hamlet can be interpreted in many different ways. Basically, it could be anything. If you were to listen to this radio program you would know exactly what I mean.

Hamlet in prison. It's not just Hamlet in prison, though: it's prisoners in prison performing Hamlet in prison! Yay!

It's funny to think about how murderers are acting as murderers. A moment where, for once, seeming is equal to being.

As murderers, our fellow inmates can make connections from the play to their own lives, making the experience of performing in Hamlet all the more interesting and self-reflecting. They can relate the acting with what they have each done in the past.

While these people perform, they are not themselves, but rather the actual characters from Hamlet. Sort of like a vacation from reality. However, when the play is over, inevitably, they return to their reality in jail.

This reminds me of the comparison between American prisons and prisons somewhere in Europe (I forget where it was. I think it was Norway.).

In America, the point of prison is to punish one for his deeds, spending some crap-quality time in there. Your inmates beat you for being the 'new guy', your bed is harder than concrete (or is concrete), the walls and toilet is as dirty as they can be, and the food resembles the stuff that come out of your... Uh... Closet. You get my point.
On the other hand, the Norwegian prison is like a five star hotel: Ping pong, bubble baths, Marvel comic books, your own Angry Birds plush pillow, and most importantly, hamburgers. This is because the point of these prisons is to change the person. To prepare them to be released into society once more.

Some interesting fact here: In the US, many released criminals end up going back. There was a word for that. I believe it was 'recidivist'. While jail is supposedly supposed to make criminals 'better' in the sense that they actually learn from their mistakes and don't do such a thing again, it just seems to happen again and again. What might be wrong?

In Norway, however, things are quite the opposite. Enough said.

Unfortunately, this story takes place in America. However, this story was different. These prisoners were given a chance, although it might not have been intended, to change their lives and walk forward. Hamlet actually seemed to be a step forward for everyone. The prisoners themselves admitted to how important it was for them to have an opportunity to act Hamlet out, and how without it, their life would have had a bit less of a spark.

Hamlet had changed these people.

Now the real question is whether Hamlet (the character) can change himself.
I'll figure it out soon enough.

Anyways, if in the near future, you happen to meet an ex-criminal that continually quotes Hamlet...

...you'll know.