8. Humans share an infinite amount of feelings, but through weeping people demonstrate that some of these emotions cannot be hidden no matter how hard they try. In the three films the main characters end a scene where they are staring at what could be the audience, or whatever the viewer interprets for them to be seeing, as a tear drop runs down their face. By putting the three images of Julie, Karol, and the judge side by side it is possible to see a resemblance among three complete different individuals.
The first similarity noticeable is the look of hope in the characters’ eyes. Julie has a sad look on her face as she cries. But the quick smiles she gives to the audience changes the light in her eyes. She looks hopeful as if not all is lost, and most importantly she is not lost. She is rediscovering reasons to live, people and ideals to live for; she is no longer hunter by the ghosts of the past and her spirit is free. Karol also has tears coming down his face as he smiles. He smiles because he has finally captivated his lover’s affection, but he weeps as he realizes he became nothing more than a ghost. But like Julie Karol seem satisfied with the present, and hopeful for the future, because he knows that for his lover he is more than just a ghost; they have become one body, soul, and spirit. There is a similar look of hope in the judge’s eyes, but his look also expresses satisfaction; as if he has accomplished whatever plan he had. He seems to be more in peace with himself than the other two characters. Even though he shares the same hopeful look as Julie and Karol, it seems that he is hopeful for someone else; he has already accomplished his journey and he looks at the audience if it is now their turn to do the same.
The three pictures show the equality amongst people. Regardless of sex, age and appearance, humans share a number of feelings and emotions. Sometimes these feeling will free a person, and at other circumstances those same feelings, like love for example will imprison them. The three pictures are all very strong, but the judge’s image draws me right to him. He has a strong look on his face, but at the same time he looks very peaceful. He has the look of someone who has accomplished something meaningful in life. Although he does not have an intense look as Karol, the judge has a mature look full of wisdom, and that looks is the strongest out of all the three.
9.

Marcela de Melo
Professor Hersey
College Writing I
The Intimate Universal
1. Jean-Dominique Bauby is a prisoner of his own body. His locked-in-syndrome has stripped him from all physical control a man has over his own body. However the illness has empowered his mind to reach beyond the limits of his imagination. Bauby is able to transform his present state by learning, and discovering how his imagination can show him a different aspect of life. Prior to his Illness Bauby was blinded by the material world he resided in; he was aware of his imagination, but he could not grasp how significant it is to a person’s life. Through his limitation Bauby learns that his imagination is an endless road, in which he is able to walk again.
In the sixth chapter, The Empress, Bauby shows that, through the power of his imagination he transforms his physical reality into something almost comic. A statue of Empress Eugene in the hospital’s main hall amazes him. He is fascinated with the "patroness" and by her good deeds. He imagines that the statue comforts, and talks to him, but one day while contemplating the figure he comes across his reflection. He is scared of a man whose "mouth was twisted, his nose damaged, his hair tousled, his gaze full of fear". At this point Bauby realizes that not only has he lost control over his body, but he has also been degraded to a hideous being.
Instead of weeping at the sigh of his distorted self, Bauby begins to laugh along with Eugene. His imagination helps him to accept that he is no longer the same person, but at the same time he is in peace with himself. The patroness accepts him even as an ugly man, he doesn’t need to be anything rather than himself; he no longer needs to follow any rules besides his heart’s. By looking at himself with Eugenia, Bauby’s imagination helps him understand that there is still some part in him, which is still alive. There is a liberating feeling that helps him make peace with whom has become.
2. There are not many ways in which a healthy person can understand what Bauby is really going through. He can only communicate with the world by the blink of his eye, he can’t move, or do anything at all with his body; it is only and weight he carries. There are very few ways in which he is able to let someone into his reality, or as he puts it: his diving bell. Through his imagination, Bauby is able to go beyond reality and show the readers what it is like to live as a vegetable. However he knows that there is in fact someone alive inside of his body, and through his imagination he allows the reader into his world.