Although I feel it is too soon to tell whether Gilda made the right decision in turing Julius into a vampire, I do believe she made the right choice. Julius was obviously lonely, needed companion ship, something to break away from the ordinary. Gilda, definitely not ordinary, was the perfect person (really vampire) to be a companion in Julius' eyes. Unlike her relationship with Bird, Gilda is better in control of this one. I don't see her leaving Julius which would cause him confusion, pain and grief; much like how Gilda felt after being somewhat rejected by Bird. Gilda plays into Julius' fantasies, but in a sense she takes advantage of him. Nevertheless, I feel that Gilda secretly longs for a more stable relationship, perhaps one similar to Anthony and Sorel's relationship. Gilda wouldn't part ways with Julius until they were both sure that it was thr right thing to do. Julius is a perfect vampire candidate; he's lonely, longs for something more, and has no family. He also displayed a positive first impression with Sorel and Anthony during Sorel's welcome back gathering. This to me proves that he could not only get along and tolerate Gilda's family but he could learn to love them like his own. They clearly both need and want each other around so I don't see why this couldn't work, it has potential to blossom into something good.
Pamela Kawalerski
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Post 3
After reading the fifth chapter of the Gilda Stories we discussed scene where Gilda turns Julius into a vampire. The most intriguing question I could think of is whether or not Gilda made the right decision. Obviously we have yet to finish the story so I have no way of knowing what Gomez has planned for this character. Therefore, I feel that the only way to judge Gilda's decision is by analyzing the reasons Gilda had had to justify her choice. Gilda has been alive for a long time at this point in chapter five; Gomez makes it clear that Gilda is becoming lonely which could have strongly influenced her to turn Julius into a vampire. Although, Gilda says she is not trying to have an intimate relationship with Julius. Gilda has become very close with Bird and Bird has just left again. Bird and Gilda's relationship, to me, is some what odd; Bird just takes off and leaves Gilda quite frequently. Perhaps Gilda is growing tired of this repetition and wants to be the dominant member of a relationship. To me, it seems that Gilda is ultimately trying to satisfy her need to be a dominant partner in a relationship and is using Julius to accomplish this.
-Ben Bean
-Ben Bean
Post #3, Prompt #3
Following the discussion we had in class about Julius and Gilda, i believe that it was both selfish of Gilda, however it was also out of love. First off I think that Julius should have been informed about all of the complications that came with being a vampire. I believe that Gilda was in need of a companion. She wanted someone to share her experiences with that would not leave her. Although she ultimately let Julius make the final decision to be turned into a vampire, it was hard for him to say no because in a way Gilda started his "transformation" process before he knew what was going on. Similarly, i believe that Gilda was also put into the "transformation" process before she really knew what was going on. I think that this is why Gilda was not straight forward with him, telling him what he could
Besides for it being selfish, the more i think about it i believe that Gilda did it out of love. She had developed an intimate relationship with Julius, one that i do not fully understand involving the dream that she put into his head. But i think that Gilda realized that she was once like Julius. She had no family and nowhere to go until the original Gilda an Bird took her in. I think Gilda believed it was the right thing to do to Julius because she used to be just like him, and now she is happy.
Besides for it being selfish, the more i think about it i believe that Gilda did it out of love. She had developed an intimate relationship with Julius, one that i do not fully understand involving the dream that she put into his head. But i think that Gilda realized that she was once like Julius. She had no family and nowhere to go until the original Gilda an Bird took her in. I think Gilda believed it was the right thing to do to Julius because she used to be just like him, and now she is happy.
Gilda Stories
This blog is in response to prompt three.
Although Gilda seems to need Julius as we discussed in class, there are many reasons as to why turning him was selfish. Julius could have lived a life that was better for him as a human, and could have found someone else to fill the void that Gilda seemed to fill for him, instead of having her turn him. In class, almost everyone agreed that being human was better than being a vampire; this should prove that turning him was a bad idea, and that it was selfish.
During the chapter, it was interesting to read their interactions, because most of the time, Gilda was not very nice to him, and seemed to be almost pushing him away. Maybe she became jaded from her many years losing people and having to let people go, but still, if that was the case, what justification was there that she could turn him. Plus, she didn't actually talk to him explicitly about the vampire world before turning him, she just started talking in his head, and then started. Gilda did give Julius a chance to pull back, but when he didn't, she made that the justification to turn him all the way.
Allison Weening, Blog 3
Although Gilda seems to need Julius as we discussed in class, there are many reasons as to why turning him was selfish. Julius could have lived a life that was better for him as a human, and could have found someone else to fill the void that Gilda seemed to fill for him, instead of having her turn him. In class, almost everyone agreed that being human was better than being a vampire; this should prove that turning him was a bad idea, and that it was selfish.
During the chapter, it was interesting to read their interactions, because most of the time, Gilda was not very nice to him, and seemed to be almost pushing him away. Maybe she became jaded from her many years losing people and having to let people go, but still, if that was the case, what justification was there that she could turn him. Plus, she didn't actually talk to him explicitly about the vampire world before turning him, she just started talking in his head, and then started. Gilda did give Julius a chance to pull back, but when he didn't, she made that the justification to turn him all the way.
Allison Weening, Blog 3
Gilda Stories Post 3
In chapters three through five of the novel a few questions arise. These chapters challenge the traditional definition of family, and also raise some ethical and moral dilemmas. As we know by now the vampire definition of family is more of a brotherhood than a conventional family, but the line is blurred when Gilda sends mixed signals on her feelings about Julius and her relationship with Bird. She says she view Julius more like a brother than a lover, but then decides to leave him a provocative dream.
Later She turns Julius into a fellow vampire. I have a problem with this transformation because I feel she took advantage of Julius' loneliness and did not get definitive permission to change him. However, she does view the transformation as a favor to him and a gift to her. She believes that Julius will no longer feel lonely since vampires are a close group with a unique bond. This is also a benefit to herself since she can finally be the person in charge of the relationship.
I feel that the opportunity to become immortal has a lot more negatives than positives. I would want to be able to be reunited with loved ones and share the life experiences that immortality provides with others. Since that is almost an impossible task, I feel that I would turn down the offer to become a vampire.
Later She turns Julius into a fellow vampire. I have a problem with this transformation because I feel she took advantage of Julius' loneliness and did not get definitive permission to change him. However, she does view the transformation as a favor to him and a gift to her. She believes that Julius will no longer feel lonely since vampires are a close group with a unique bond. This is also a benefit to herself since she can finally be the person in charge of the relationship.
I feel that the opportunity to become immortal has a lot more negatives than positives. I would want to be able to be reunited with loved ones and share the life experiences that immortality provides with others. Since that is almost an impossible task, I feel that I would turn down the offer to become a vampire.
Post 3
For this blog entry I really wanted to discuss more about the discussion we were having in class about wanting to be a vampire or not. Starting with looking at chapter 3 and the scene where Gilda kills the one slave catcher. Throughout the novel thus far we have seen examples of vampires with different values. Gilda and Bird are the nicer vampires while Eleanor and Fox are the more stereotypical bad vampires. I would not want to become a vampire because it would be so hard to stay being a good vampire. Even Gilda is tempted to kill more and gets a thrill out of killing the man. Im sure throughout the novel she will be more tempted to turn to the "bad" vampire side and thrive off the thrill of killing people. In a sense by Gilda being somewhat normal and not killing people she is keeping some sense of humanity left in her. While the bad vampires who all love killing lost there sense of humanity, since what sane human takes a thrill in killing like Eleanor and Fox did. I think Gilda is still trying to hold on to whatever part of humanity she has left so the idea of being a bad vampire does not totally consume her.
Also i would not want to be a vampire because i feel like you would loose your emotions. I mean for example if you fall in love for the 18000 time its not gonna feel the same as it did for your first time. If you keep experiencing the same thing over and over again its gets old and you loose feelings. Sure if you are human you feel bad emotion and there are bad times, but the really really good times and amazing feelings and emotion you have usually overshadow the bad times. I would never want to have my emotion become dumb, because without emotions and feelings you really aren't fully living. That is why i would not want to become a vampire, and i think Gilda might even regret the desicion later on in the novel, and because of this may even fall on the thrill of killing or being bad to make up for a lack of emotions and feeling.
Kenny Liszewski Post Number Three
Also i would not want to be a vampire because i feel like you would loose your emotions. I mean for example if you fall in love for the 18000 time its not gonna feel the same as it did for your first time. If you keep experiencing the same thing over and over again its gets old and you loose feelings. Sure if you are human you feel bad emotion and there are bad times, but the really really good times and amazing feelings and emotion you have usually overshadow the bad times. I would never want to have my emotion become dumb, because without emotions and feelings you really aren't fully living. That is why i would not want to become a vampire, and i think Gilda might even regret the desicion later on in the novel, and because of this may even fall on the thrill of killing or being bad to make up for a lack of emotions and feeling.
Kenny Liszewski Post Number Three
A new Family
Gilda turns Julius into a vampire in Chapter 5. This could be out of love or as Gomez may make us understand it may be much more than that. We see the Vampire life as an extended family and a love more than an exotic one. Gilda tells bird at the end when the transformation was over "We finally delivered a brother to me." This seems to make the point that the trasformation was a family based transformation and not one of a lover. Although Julius seeked love with Gilda, Gilda loved him back but in a plantonic way not as an exotic way. Gomez helps us understand that the life of a vampire has to do with a lot of sacrafices, but in return there are a lot of benifits.
Julius was lonely, and did seek companionship and he will finally get a family, one that he has forgotten for a long time now. It may be a family that he didn't expect but a vampire family seems to be much more involved in the way they come together. As Gilda may not see her vampire family for years on end they are the ones that are closest to her. For example, Bird the one that taught her seems like an intimite lover to us, but may just be that vampires show their love diffrently than mortals.
As Gilda still tries to find herself in the Vampire life she will now have a pupil to learn under her. As bird was her teacher she now becomes the mentor. This resembles the relationship between parents and their kids. As Gilda was once a child she now becomes the parent. The vampire family is long and strong and seems that all the Vampires are there to help one another except the few bad eggs that may exist, such as Elenoar and Fox. It will be interesting to see how Julius adapts to his new life as a Vampire and how his and Gilda's relationship unfolds as immortals.
Scott Swan
Post 3
Julius was lonely, and did seek companionship and he will finally get a family, one that he has forgotten for a long time now. It may be a family that he didn't expect but a vampire family seems to be much more involved in the way they come together. As Gilda may not see her vampire family for years on end they are the ones that are closest to her. For example, Bird the one that taught her seems like an intimite lover to us, but may just be that vampires show their love diffrently than mortals.
As Gilda still tries to find herself in the Vampire life she will now have a pupil to learn under her. As bird was her teacher she now becomes the mentor. This resembles the relationship between parents and their kids. As Gilda was once a child she now becomes the parent. The vampire family is long and strong and seems that all the Vampires are there to help one another except the few bad eggs that may exist, such as Elenoar and Fox. It will be interesting to see how Julius adapts to his new life as a Vampire and how his and Gilda's relationship unfolds as immortals.
Scott Swan
Post 3
The Gilda Stories - Family
When most people define family, they usually think of a mother, father, and their kids. We associate a family as those people who raised us, who watched us grow, but most importantly who are related to us by blood. However, does a person have to share the same blood with someone in order for them to be a part of your family? Does a family have to have certain ties to your genetics or can anyone you want be apart of your family? This is what Gomez is trying to stir up in our heads. I think she is trying to shy us away from the image of a traditional family and tries to show us the other characteristics that someone in your family can have. Vampires are immortal and they often feel lonely- like they have no family. Gilda felt this way many times throughout the book. However, in chapter 3, Gilda had a very strong relationship with Aurelia. Aurelia was not a part of Gilda's "family", however she became a part of it. Aurelia gave her the friendship that she needed for so long. They made each other feel comfortable and were always there for each other. Their friendship was one of love. These are characteristics of a true family. Gilda revealing her secret to Aurelia only strengthened the bond of being a family. She trusts her with her secret and families never judge nor hide things from one other.
The relationships shown in The Gilda Stories may not be of traditional family characteristics, but they are definitely family ties. Gomez shows us that your family can consist of whomever you want/need/trust. Just because Gilda and Aurelia are not blood related does not mean that they are not sisters. Blood has nothing to do with it.
-Bethany Davis (Post #3)
Friday, February 11, 2011
Post 3
At the end of chapter three we see the real problems that Gilda is facing as a vampire and the first signs of her being scared about the rest of her life as a vampire. She finally had to tell someone what she is going through, and this letter shows the human side of Gilda and how she has feelings and emotions too. In the next chapter we see the scene with her and Bird, almost like a sex scene between the two. This passage shows the intimacy between Gilda and Bird and how strong the relationship really is.
I thought this was interesting how Gilda expresses the human side of her life when writing the letter to Aurelia and then in chapter four how the scene with Bird shows a sort of human side of Gilda as well. Although they are vampires they need some sort of affection to survive just like humans and their way of doing that is to suck each others blood. Some people were saying how this is weird because of Bird and Gilda's relationship as a mother and daughter or student and teacher but either way it just shows that they both love each other.
Week Three Post
I think that the term family used by the vampires in the Gilda Stories is much different than what a human would consider to be a family. The vampires see their own kind to be their family, not just the people they're related to and live in the same house with. Although it may be odd to think of the people who you have met as your family, it makes sense in the vampire world. Vampires are immortal and we have seen that many times throughout the story Gilda, so supposedly the other vampires are as well, feels isolated and lonely. In chapter three it was clear that Gilda was lonely, which is why it was good that she had Aurelia to lean on. I think that she made the right choice with Aurelia, being a vampire was not her destiny. Speaking of Aurelia, the connection that Gilda made with her created a "family". Although Aurelia was not a vampire or part of her "blood family", Aurelia was a huge part of Gilda's life and she needed her. By Gilda revealing her secret to her, she showed that she considered her to be family and that there would be nothing to hide, the true commitment generally only found in familial relationships. This alternative form of a family is, in my opinion, what Gomez is trying to show us, that just because a family isn't the image of the traditional family, doesn't make it any less of a family to the people involved.
Blog Prompts (The Gilda Stories)
A few prompts for this week:
1) How is "family" defined within The Gilda Stories? How do the types of families Gomez represents differ from traditional ideas of "family"? What is Gomez's purpose in showing us alternative forms of family via her vampire characters? Use specific examples from the chapters this week to support your opinion.
2) We know that Gilda is an outcast first because she is a vampire, and second because she is a black vampire--a rarity within the world of the novel and within vampire fiction in general. Do Gilda and her fellow vampires function as metaphors for individuals that can be viewed as outcasts in real life (women, people of color, gays and lesbians, the disabled, etc.)? If so, how? In asking her readers to consider the lives of her vampire characters is Gomez's purpose to make us more tolerant of those who are "different"? Use specific examples from the chapters this week to support your opinion.
3) Revisit our discussion of Gilda and Julius. Does she turn him into a vampire for selfish reasons or out of concern and love? Does she make the right choice in doing so? Does giving Julius a new life in some way make up for the times when Gilda has had to kill? Use specific examples from Chapter 5 to support your opinions.
1) How is "family" defined within The Gilda Stories? How do the types of families Gomez represents differ from traditional ideas of "family"? What is Gomez's purpose in showing us alternative forms of family via her vampire characters? Use specific examples from the chapters this week to support your opinion.
2) We know that Gilda is an outcast first because she is a vampire, and second because she is a black vampire--a rarity within the world of the novel and within vampire fiction in general. Do Gilda and her fellow vampires function as metaphors for individuals that can be viewed as outcasts in real life (women, people of color, gays and lesbians, the disabled, etc.)? If so, how? In asking her readers to consider the lives of her vampire characters is Gomez's purpose to make us more tolerant of those who are "different"? Use specific examples from the chapters this week to support your opinion.
3) Revisit our discussion of Gilda and Julius. Does she turn him into a vampire for selfish reasons or out of concern and love? Does she make the right choice in doing so? Does giving Julius a new life in some way make up for the times when Gilda has had to kill? Use specific examples from Chapter 5 to support your opinions.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Week #3 post
Comparatively, I would again like to focus on a class discussion. Yesterday in class we discussed the passage on page 140 where Bird and Gilda were having an intimate moment. In comparison, I would like to share my opinions on the relation between this passage and majority of chapter 1. After the class discussion I decided to go back and read chapter 1 when the Girl first came to the house. --comparison between chapters 1 and 5--
In the passage discussed on page 140, conclusions of how far the intimacy was got me thinking. Upon my interpretations, I feel that this is how vampires have intimate moments together. It was also brought up that it is "weird" because of their relationship. However, to me, it seems more than that. With these thoughts in my head while re-reading chapter 1, I came across several instances that came off to me as "something more" between the original Gilda and Bird. There was one part where Gomez mentioned that Birds' room key opened both her door and Gilda's. She then went on to describe that Bird and Gilda both longed to lay together and feel each other next to one another in bed. Now, of course they can be friends and have the "connections" that Gomez also emphasizes, but to me, it seems more than that. I feel that subliminally, Gomez wants to add sexuality into the reading as well. Sexuality is a big debate in society, especially in that time period. I feel that this would make these two vampires, in particular, even more unique. With this being said, the "romance" in chapter 5 can also symbolize this breakthrough of outcast-hood.
**another example of this can be found on page 40, chapter 1.**
With the original Gilda being gone, it's as if the new Gilda has gradually become her. Bird, she has always been by both of their sides. Although to some, this may seem "weird", but in all reality, it's simply a close relationship that has found it's way to something more. In my opinion, I feel that the old Gilda is still somewhere alive inside of the new Gilda, and Bird loves both the old and new together.
Ultimately, we will have to see where this relationship leads, but at the time being, my opinion stands as is. I interpret this to be of a more special relationship and these two woman will have each other, happily, forever; literally.
-Courtney
In the passage discussed on page 140, conclusions of how far the intimacy was got me thinking. Upon my interpretations, I feel that this is how vampires have intimate moments together. It was also brought up that it is "weird" because of their relationship. However, to me, it seems more than that. With these thoughts in my head while re-reading chapter 1, I came across several instances that came off to me as "something more" between the original Gilda and Bird. There was one part where Gomez mentioned that Birds' room key opened both her door and Gilda's. She then went on to describe that Bird and Gilda both longed to lay together and feel each other next to one another in bed. Now, of course they can be friends and have the "connections" that Gomez also emphasizes, but to me, it seems more than that. I feel that subliminally, Gomez wants to add sexuality into the reading as well. Sexuality is a big debate in society, especially in that time period. I feel that this would make these two vampires, in particular, even more unique. With this being said, the "romance" in chapter 5 can also symbolize this breakthrough of outcast-hood.
**another example of this can be found on page 40, chapter 1.**
With the original Gilda being gone, it's as if the new Gilda has gradually become her. Bird, she has always been by both of their sides. Although to some, this may seem "weird", but in all reality, it's simply a close relationship that has found it's way to something more. In my opinion, I feel that the old Gilda is still somewhere alive inside of the new Gilda, and Bird loves both the old and new together.
Ultimately, we will have to see where this relationship leads, but at the time being, my opinion stands as is. I interpret this to be of a more special relationship and these two woman will have each other, happily, forever; literally.
-Courtney
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Chapters 1 and 2
It certainly seems like this story is trying to change the conception of the classic vampire from the Count Dracula to more of a normal human being. It shows that Gilda isn't specific in who she chooses for blood and she always gives something in return for what she is taking. It seems to fly in the face of what most have read. The fact that Gilda is black also seems to go against what we know as a vampire, in all the classic horrors vampires are pale and lifeless while Gilda seems to be full of life. People also don't seem to be anxious around her just because she is a vampire, they seem more worried that she is so independent as a woman. Chapter two also gives up something to think about because it makes us wonder if Gilda really is evil. She needs the blood to survive and she always gives something back, but she is still hunting the people. Does the fact that she is hunting make her evil? Does the fact that a lion hunts make it evil? I feel that Gilda does what she must to survive, and she even helps the prey in return.
Erich Post 2
The Gilda Stories: chapters 1 &2
Typically vampires are portrayed as pale, demonic, immortal, and violent creatures that kill innocent humans in order to drink their blood as sustenance. Vampires are commonly depicted as soulless monsters whose only purpose is to kill and bring terror to humanity. A vampire has no soul or reflection and usually talks with a creepy eastern European accent where every “w” is a v.” Vampires cannot be exposed to sunlight which adds to the image of a demonic creature of darkness.
In The Gilda Stories, Jewelle Gomez presents new spins on typical vampires and by doing so makes them more human and less of a demonic creature from Hell. While she does include more evil vampires she shows that some vampires are more concerned about the wellbeing of their victims. Good vampires like Gilda and Bird choose to not kill their victims by gorging themselves on blood but only take enough to survive, also they try to in turn use their empathetic powers to help their victims in some sense after they have fed. Jewelle also strays away from the image of vampires as pale, eastern Europeans and adds some racial diversity, Gilda herself is African American.
Typically vampires are portrayed as pale, demonic, immortal, and violent creatures that kill innocent humans in order to drink their blood as sustenance. Vampires are commonly depicted as soulless monsters whose only purpose is to kill and bring terror to humanity. A vampire has no soul or reflection and usually talks with a creepy eastern European accent where every “w” is a v.” Vampires cannot be exposed to sunlight which adds to the image of a demonic creature of darkness.
In The Gilda Stories, Jewelle Gomez presents new spins on typical vampires and by doing so makes them more human and less of a demonic creature from Hell. While she does include more evil vampires she shows that some vampires are more concerned about the wellbeing of their victims. Good vampires like Gilda and Bird choose to not kill their victims by gorging themselves on blood but only take enough to survive, also they try to in turn use their empathetic powers to help their victims in some sense after they have fed. Jewelle also strays away from the image of vampires as pale, eastern Europeans and adds some racial diversity, Gilda herself is African American.
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