All three poems have something to do with some type of love or desire. However, the poems display stereotypical feminine demeanors. For example, they make women look passive, like objects for men, helpless, and weak. Also each poem requires the reader to do outside research on greek mythology if they want to uncover the author's true incentive and hidden meanings to each story.
In Margaret Atwood’s “Siren Song" the greek mythology of a "siren" is the woman who is a monster and it's her song which she uses to attract the men who find it irresistible and then she attacks, kills, and eats them. The men who get past the sirens are the one's who are considered a hero and are cherished. In a literal sense I think Atwood is implying that she has gone through bad relationships and bad guys and is waiting for her true love. This poem is stereotypical and makes women seem passive by saying women will always be waiting for the man to come around and it's like a little girl's fantasy, waiting for "prince charming".
In Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s “Ulysses” it's a stereotypical man's mind. He is hungry for love all the time. His heart constantly wanders through girls so he can live life to the fullest before he dies. In college it's stereotyped that college guys are players and always want another girl to be with to live college life to the fullest before they settle later in life. This is how the poem makes women look like objects because they are only used for men's entertainment and pleasure.
William Butler Yeats’s “Leda and the Swan” also makes women look helpless and weak with the words the author uses to describe Zeus raping Leda. This type of "love" is terrifying and makes the women look weak and the man having total control as he forces himself upon Leda (or a woman).
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
homework for tuesday..SWA 10 (topic proposal ) and SWA 8/9
Topic Proposal:
1.) The author and work I chose to write about is Jimmy Santiago Baca's, "So Mexicans Are Taking Jobs From Americans". I want to write about this topic because I understand the message the author is trying to get across and I agree with him that American's are so quick to blame people when they fail, and I think the author gives an interesting perspective on how a mexican views the situation.
2.) The historical and cultural connections to the work I have found are the major issue today on immigrants and how hard it is for them to come to America just so they can have a job to survive and keep their families and starving children alive. While researching this topic I came across news articles from recent years on immigration battles where in Washington D.C. there were immigration protests and rallies. Also the fact of racism, that white America used to and some still believe that the white race is superior over others and in this case the Mexicans and they should not be given the same opportunities for jobs.
3.)The links I have found help me understand the work I have chosen because they provide me with an understanding of how white America feels angered and threatened toward other races being given equal opportunity as well as status.
4.) The links I have found help me understand the theme of the work because the author clearly shows his attitude towards the blaming Americans who are threatened that they are loosing their jobs because the mexicans are "taking" them, when really it is their own fault they are being fired or dismissed. Different cases in which a person of another race has excelled in a specific job over a white american has also helped me understand the theme the author is trying to express with his poem.
5.) There aren't any parts of the poem that I am really struggling with historically or culturally. I have a pretty good understanding of the poem and it's meaning both historically and culturally.
6.) Thesis Statement:
Although white America claims that the Mexicans are taking their jobs from them, it is them self who is to blame for the loss of their professions. American's have been proven to take advantage of the opportunities that are right fully given to them, where as the Mexicans have proven to give up anything in order to live and work in America with the purpose of trying to feed themselves and family in their struggle to survive.
Bib/ Annotations (SWA 8/9)
Miller, D.w. "Scholars of Immigration Focus on the Children." The Chronicle of Higher Education: Research and Publishing (1999). The Chronicle of Higher Education. Thomas Cooper, Columbia. 7 Apr. 2008. http://wf2dnvr4.webfeat.org:80/
In this article it talks about the stereotypes Americans have put on Mexicans such as the image of baggy pants, gang bandannas cruising around in low riders. This negative image shows the shallowness that Americans can have towards other races. This article demonstrates the theme of racism that the author of the poem is trying to display as well. This article also talks about how in the mid-1960s, Congress abolished a quota system that favored Europeans, and instead made family reunification the main criterion for entry in working in America. This issue of immigration decides their children's fate, meaning the more likely an immigrant is to gaining the right to live in America to work, the more of a chance their children will have in surviving. However the article highlights the positive impact immigration has on children educationally. A study from the article showed that, by the 12th grade, nearly 90 per cent of immigrant children preferred to speak English. Although, still the article contrasts with the threat that Americans feel toward immigration and in the poems case, Mexicans. Specifically, in the article it mentions that scholars caution the continuing flow of new immigrants because they feel it masks society's success from earlier times, even though immigration has helped the economy. I learned from the article that education in immigrants has increased dramatically making it easier for them to get better jobs and make more money and achieve their goal in providing for them self and their families.
LÓpez, Ian Haney F. "Colorblind to the Reality of Race in America." The Chronicle Review (2006). The Chronicle of Higher Education. Thomas Cooper, Columbia. 7 Apr. 2008. http://wf2dnvr4.webfeat.org:80/
In this article it discusses the historical background of the Brown v. Board of Education,the civil-rights movement which ended segregation and started a generation aimed toward equality. The article also mentions the changing demographics, such as the rising number of mixed-race marriages and the increasing Asian and Hispanic populations that are blurring the historic black-white divide. With the increasing populations comes threat to America's white race. In relation to the poem this article is useful because it proves the increasing population of the hispanic race and how their work is impacting the economy. Furthermore, the author of this article discusses the laws which protect against racial discrimination and the author of this article believes that they are partly to blame for racism today because he believes that they do not contribute to racial justice but instead legitimate continued inequality. Meaning they do nothing to actually protect the other races but call out the whites for once being legitimately superior. The author is this article is hispanic which is interesting to me because the author of the poem is as well so given their arguments, it adds to the overall hispanic perspective on hispanics becoming more accomplished and successful as the white race. The author of the article continuously uses the word "colorblindness" in his article to emphasize the racial issues between hispanics and white's still today. Because the author is hispanic he could have a bias toward American's and could influence his idea that racism is still struggled upon his fellow hispanics.
Pickler, Nedra. "Bush Urges Congress to Ok Immigration Bill." Associated Press Writer (2006). Discoverer. Thomas Cooper, Columbia. 7 Apr. 2008. http://wf2dnvr4.webfeat.org:80/H36jJ136/url=http://discoverer.prod.sirs.com/discoweb/disco/do/article?urn=urn%3Asirs%3AUS%3BARTICLE%3BART%3B0000245917
This article argues President Bush's insists to make it legal for more immigrants to work in the United States. The article mentions Bush wanting a debate with conservatives in his own party while building an alliance with the leader of Mexico. The article mainly discusses Bush's proposed changes to U.S. immigration policies, criticism of the immigration plan, and U.S. foreign relations. Bush's idea of increasing immigration as a positive factor I found was interesting because some American's are against it and are threatened by the Mexicans being able to work with them in fear they will take their jobs. But here is proof that the president isn't part of those shallow Americans. Bush understands that Mexico is among one of the United States' top trading partners, so he knows that increasing the immigration for Mexicans to work in the U.S. will only positively impact our economy. However Bush is still struggling with the approval for this increase in immigration from his own Republican party, who with business interests want cheap labor and a tough policy against illegal immigrants. And that basic Republican party idea is what the author of the poem is complaining about. So this is why i think this article is useful in my research of the poem's topic. I have learned from the article that Bush is trying to make peace with the Mexican leaders in hope to further America's economy and that he is willing to go against his own party to achieve increased immigration.
Martin, Philip, and Elizabeth Midgley. "Immigration: Shaping and Reshaping America." Population Bulletin (2003). SIRS. Thomas Cooper, Columbia. 7 Apr. 2008 http://wf2dnvr4.webfeat.org:80/
From this article I learned that about 95,000 foreigners a day arrive in the United States. The question this article asks and then discusses is whether the arrival of all these foreigners should be welcomed in hope to further society and the economy or should it be feared because in the poem thats how the authors portrays the American's to feel. He makes the American's seemed threaten by these immigrants and blames them for the losses of their jobs. The article mentions America's "celebration" of immigration but describes the worry and fear it still brings Americans today and since the days "of the founders about potential economic, political, and cultural change caused by immigration" (Population Bulletin). This article also displays the current immigration policies the United States follows, as well as the immigration patterns that have occurred through history to today. Mainly I think this article is very useful in my research because it provides an in depth historical perspective on contemporary trends of hispanic immigration and the impact it has had on America both socially and economically. I have also learned that the fear Americans have from immigrants are not just based on the threat they feel that they may "take their jobs" but after the tragic September 11th incidents, Americans fear immigrants because of terrorists and worry they will harm them or have the ability to be in touch with the government and there for leak information to terrorists to attack the U.S. I think the worry Americans feel that the immigrants will harm them is useful in my research as well because in the poem the author mentions the one's shooting are the "white farmers" not the hispanics, meaning that it is the American's own race they should fear because they are the one's killing, not the immigrants who are just trying to live in America to work and keep them self and their family alive and out of starvation.
"Foreign Labor Trends: Mexico." Foreign Labor Trends. 2002.SIRS Thomas Cooper. 7 Apr. 2008 http://wf2dnvr4.webfeat.org:80/
From this article I have learned that over the last 20 years, Mexico has undergone major changes, from a closed, import-substitution economy to become part of the open, market economy. The article describes the relationship that Mexico has with the United States and how they have gotten closer and how immigration worries Americans because it has increased so much. The article also discusses the issues of immigration that have been presented in Congress in the July 1997 elections and the Presidency in July 2000. From the article I have also learned that Mexico is highly "unionized". Mainly, the article examines Mexico's economy and its impact on the labor sector as well as a directory of labor organizations. According to the article it says, "The traditional centrals have long sacrificed freedom of action to gain political influence and position", and this is what the historically known white races fears. This article is useful in relation to the poem because it discusses the historical context of Mexico's increasing relationship with the U.S and the immigration ties which have become stronger which increase the threat of American job holders because more jobs will be employed with immigrants. Americans are so threatened by the immigrants and mexicans that in December 2001, U.S. unions and/or NGOs had presented 14 submissions against Mexico.
Rodriguez, Roberto. "Column of the Americas: They'Re Taking Our Jobs." (2005).http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/14319.html
This article discusses the historical context in which the idea that Mexicans were taking American's job which started in the 20th century. The article talks about how black and hispanics used to be assigned to the jobs the whites didn't want to do. But today, blacks and hispanics are getting the opportunity to the same jobs as the white's and that is the issue that is fueling some Americans. This goes along with the poem very well because the author of the poem is fueling back at the American's claiming if the American's should fear anyone or dislike anyone they should their own race because they take advantage and fail at what is handed to them and that the Mexican immigrants fight to come to America and deserve to work and have the same jobs as the whites because they are willing to actually work to survive. From the article I have learned the historical war between social services, high unemployment and super-exploitation where people blame politics for allowing these issues to get so out of control.
1.) The author and work I chose to write about is Jimmy Santiago Baca's, "So Mexicans Are Taking Jobs From Americans". I want to write about this topic because I understand the message the author is trying to get across and I agree with him that American's are so quick to blame people when they fail, and I think the author gives an interesting perspective on how a mexican views the situation.
2.) The historical and cultural connections to the work I have found are the major issue today on immigrants and how hard it is for them to come to America just so they can have a job to survive and keep their families and starving children alive. While researching this topic I came across news articles from recent years on immigration battles where in Washington D.C. there were immigration protests and rallies. Also the fact of racism, that white America used to and some still believe that the white race is superior over others and in this case the Mexicans and they should not be given the same opportunities for jobs.
3.)The links I have found help me understand the work I have chosen because they provide me with an understanding of how white America feels angered and threatened toward other races being given equal opportunity as well as status.
4.) The links I have found help me understand the theme of the work because the author clearly shows his attitude towards the blaming Americans who are threatened that they are loosing their jobs because the mexicans are "taking" them, when really it is their own fault they are being fired or dismissed. Different cases in which a person of another race has excelled in a specific job over a white american has also helped me understand the theme the author is trying to express with his poem.
5.) There aren't any parts of the poem that I am really struggling with historically or culturally. I have a pretty good understanding of the poem and it's meaning both historically and culturally.
6.) Thesis Statement:
Although white America claims that the Mexicans are taking their jobs from them, it is them self who is to blame for the loss of their professions. American's have been proven to take advantage of the opportunities that are right fully given to them, where as the Mexicans have proven to give up anything in order to live and work in America with the purpose of trying to feed themselves and family in their struggle to survive.
Bib/ Annotations (SWA 8/9)
Miller, D.w. "Scholars of Immigration Focus on the Children." The Chronicle of Higher Education: Research and Publishing (1999). The Chronicle of Higher Education. Thomas Cooper, Columbia. 7 Apr. 2008. http://wf2dnvr4.webfeat.org:80/
In this article it talks about the stereotypes Americans have put on Mexicans such as the image of baggy pants, gang bandannas cruising around in low riders. This negative image shows the shallowness that Americans can have towards other races. This article demonstrates the theme of racism that the author of the poem is trying to display as well. This article also talks about how in the mid-1960s, Congress abolished a quota system that favored Europeans, and instead made family reunification the main criterion for entry in working in America. This issue of immigration decides their children's fate, meaning the more likely an immigrant is to gaining the right to live in America to work, the more of a chance their children will have in surviving. However the article highlights the positive impact immigration has on children educationally. A study from the article showed that, by the 12th grade, nearly 90 per cent of immigrant children preferred to speak English. Although, still the article contrasts with the threat that Americans feel toward immigration and in the poems case, Mexicans. Specifically, in the article it mentions that scholars caution the continuing flow of new immigrants because they feel it masks society's success from earlier times, even though immigration has helped the economy. I learned from the article that education in immigrants has increased dramatically making it easier for them to get better jobs and make more money and achieve their goal in providing for them self and their families.
LÓpez, Ian Haney F. "Colorblind to the Reality of Race in America." The Chronicle Review (2006). The Chronicle of Higher Education. Thomas Cooper, Columbia. 7 Apr. 2008. http://wf2dnvr4.webfeat.org:80/
In this article it discusses the historical background of the Brown v. Board of Education,the civil-rights movement which ended segregation and started a generation aimed toward equality. The article also mentions the changing demographics, such as the rising number of mixed-race marriages and the increasing Asian and Hispanic populations that are blurring the historic black-white divide. With the increasing populations comes threat to America's white race. In relation to the poem this article is useful because it proves the increasing population of the hispanic race and how their work is impacting the economy. Furthermore, the author of this article discusses the laws which protect against racial discrimination and the author of this article believes that they are partly to blame for racism today because he believes that they do not contribute to racial justice but instead legitimate continued inequality. Meaning they do nothing to actually protect the other races but call out the whites for once being legitimately superior. The author is this article is hispanic which is interesting to me because the author of the poem is as well so given their arguments, it adds to the overall hispanic perspective on hispanics becoming more accomplished and successful as the white race. The author of the article continuously uses the word "colorblindness" in his article to emphasize the racial issues between hispanics and white's still today. Because the author is hispanic he could have a bias toward American's and could influence his idea that racism is still struggled upon his fellow hispanics.
Pickler, Nedra. "Bush Urges Congress to Ok Immigration Bill." Associated Press Writer (2006). Discoverer. Thomas Cooper, Columbia. 7 Apr. 2008. http://wf2dnvr4.webfeat.org:80/H36jJ136/url=http://discoverer.prod.sirs.com/discoweb/disco/do/article?urn=urn%3Asirs%3AUS%3BARTICLE%3BART%3B0000245917
This article argues President Bush's insists to make it legal for more immigrants to work in the United States. The article mentions Bush wanting a debate with conservatives in his own party while building an alliance with the leader of Mexico. The article mainly discusses Bush's proposed changes to U.S. immigration policies, criticism of the immigration plan, and U.S. foreign relations. Bush's idea of increasing immigration as a positive factor I found was interesting because some American's are against it and are threatened by the Mexicans being able to work with them in fear they will take their jobs. But here is proof that the president isn't part of those shallow Americans. Bush understands that Mexico is among one of the United States' top trading partners, so he knows that increasing the immigration for Mexicans to work in the U.S. will only positively impact our economy. However Bush is still struggling with the approval for this increase in immigration from his own Republican party, who with business interests want cheap labor and a tough policy against illegal immigrants. And that basic Republican party idea is what the author of the poem is complaining about. So this is why i think this article is useful in my research of the poem's topic. I have learned from the article that Bush is trying to make peace with the Mexican leaders in hope to further America's economy and that he is willing to go against his own party to achieve increased immigration.
Martin, Philip, and Elizabeth Midgley. "Immigration: Shaping and Reshaping America." Population Bulletin (2003). SIRS. Thomas Cooper, Columbia. 7 Apr. 2008 http://wf2dnvr4.webfeat.org:80/
From this article I learned that about 95,000 foreigners a day arrive in the United States. The question this article asks and then discusses is whether the arrival of all these foreigners should be welcomed in hope to further society and the economy or should it be feared because in the poem thats how the authors portrays the American's to feel. He makes the American's seemed threaten by these immigrants and blames them for the losses of their jobs. The article mentions America's "celebration" of immigration but describes the worry and fear it still brings Americans today and since the days "of the founders about potential economic, political, and cultural change caused by immigration" (Population Bulletin). This article also displays the current immigration policies the United States follows, as well as the immigration patterns that have occurred through history to today. Mainly I think this article is very useful in my research because it provides an in depth historical perspective on contemporary trends of hispanic immigration and the impact it has had on America both socially and economically. I have also learned that the fear Americans have from immigrants are not just based on the threat they feel that they may "take their jobs" but after the tragic September 11th incidents, Americans fear immigrants because of terrorists and worry they will harm them or have the ability to be in touch with the government and there for leak information to terrorists to attack the U.S. I think the worry Americans feel that the immigrants will harm them is useful in my research as well because in the poem the author mentions the one's shooting are the "white farmers" not the hispanics, meaning that it is the American's own race they should fear because they are the one's killing, not the immigrants who are just trying to live in America to work and keep them self and their family alive and out of starvation.
"Foreign Labor Trends: Mexico." Foreign Labor Trends. 2002.SIRS Thomas Cooper. 7 Apr. 2008 http://wf2dnvr4.webfeat.org:80/
From this article I have learned that over the last 20 years, Mexico has undergone major changes, from a closed, import-substitution economy to become part of the open, market economy. The article describes the relationship that Mexico has with the United States and how they have gotten closer and how immigration worries Americans because it has increased so much. The article also discusses the issues of immigration that have been presented in Congress in the July 1997 elections and the Presidency in July 2000. From the article I have also learned that Mexico is highly "unionized". Mainly, the article examines Mexico's economy and its impact on the labor sector as well as a directory of labor organizations. According to the article it says, "The traditional centrals have long sacrificed freedom of action to gain political influence and position", and this is what the historically known white races fears. This article is useful in relation to the poem because it discusses the historical context of Mexico's increasing relationship with the U.S and the immigration ties which have become stronger which increase the threat of American job holders because more jobs will be employed with immigrants. Americans are so threatened by the immigrants and mexicans that in December 2001, U.S. unions and/or NGOs had presented 14 submissions against Mexico.
Rodriguez, Roberto. "Column of the Americas: They'Re Taking Our Jobs." (2005).http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/14319.html
This article discusses the historical context in which the idea that Mexicans were taking American's job which started in the 20th century. The article talks about how black and hispanics used to be assigned to the jobs the whites didn't want to do. But today, blacks and hispanics are getting the opportunity to the same jobs as the white's and that is the issue that is fueling some Americans. This goes along with the poem very well because the author of the poem is fueling back at the American's claiming if the American's should fear anyone or dislike anyone they should their own race because they take advantage and fail at what is handed to them and that the Mexican immigrants fight to come to America and deserve to work and have the same jobs as the whites because they are willing to actually work to survive. From the article I have learned the historical war between social services, high unemployment and super-exploitation where people blame politics for allowing these issues to get so out of control.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
homework for thursday
In the short story "A Jury of Her Peers" and the play, "Trifle" both by Susan Glaspell I found it interesting that even though one is a story and one is a play and they both have different titles they both have the same story line and plot where characters decisions lead to another characters fate. Personally, I found the play easier to read and understand because I find that reading a play is easier because you always know what is going on, who's speaking, where it's taking place and so on. For example, it's always clear when the narrator is speaking as well as the names of each character and what they're saying. Also the descriptive actions in parentheses helps the reader to be conscious of what is going on. Unlike the short story which i found more difficult to read because in stories your brain has to figure out whose doing the speaking. Is the narrator talking or is it an actual character and if it's a character which one and sometimes it can get confusing which character is saying what. However, the play does take more time to read because of all the break ups in the story but since it's very structured and descriptive it's easier to comprehend and picture people acting it out. Which is why i think it would be easier to base the cultural/ historical analysis off of the play because it's more detailed and easier to comprehend. Furthermore, if people were to act it out the cultural and historical aspect of the story from the play would be even more clear versus reading the short story.
homework for tuesday
I think Ralph Ellison's short story "The Battle Royale" displays a significant historical perspective on what it was like for a black man living in a white man's wolrd. The historical context for the themes are that because the narrator is treated like animal because he is black their is a theme of identity. Meaning the narrator is weak in a sense that he doesn't know who his true self is. We see this when he constantly is trying to think of his grandfather's advice. The cultural background of this story is how brutal and unkind white people treated blacks because they thought they were superior to them and how the blacks were forced to live in a society where they had to accept this. In society today they're not familiar to me because times have changed and their have beens laws against segregation and races are viewed equal in today's world. But of course race will always have some issue in the world. In the story a white man yells, "let me at those black sonsabitches" and it is clear that their is cultural/historical clues in the story that lead me to believe that the white men are treating the black men like animals and forcing them to fight as a way of entertainment for them to see the black men fall in fights. If I or someone were to find out more important cultural/historical knowledge on this story I would go back to the book it came from and skim the other chapters to get more of a specific idea of the entire story.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
homework 3/26 for thursday
In Ralph Waldo Ellison’s “Battle Royal” the main theme of this book and especially this chapter is racism as well as identity.
Racism prevents other races from becoming their own identity because they are forced to live in another's man world, in this case the narrator is forced to live in this "white man's" world while trying to find his true self. I can imagine the setting of this chapter being dark and smokey and smelling like alcohol because it's a boxing scene and the fight is for the white men's entertainment. So I can imagine men yelling at the fighters while drinking alcohol and smoking.
In Maxine Hong Kingston’s “No Name Woman” the main theme is culture . Culture plays a huge role in this story specifically how it affects women personally as well as their behavior towards society depending on their own culture.
Racism prevents other races from becoming their own identity because they are forced to live in another's man world, in this case the narrator is forced to live in this "white man's" world while trying to find his true self. I can imagine the setting of this chapter being dark and smokey and smelling like alcohol because it's a boxing scene and the fight is for the white men's entertainment. So I can imagine men yelling at the fighters while drinking alcohol and smoking.
In Maxine Hong Kingston’s “No Name Woman” the main theme is culture . Culture plays a huge role in this story specifically how it affects women personally as well as their behavior towards society depending on their own culture.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Homework
In Junot Díaz’s “How to Date a Browngirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie” the major theme of this story was social status. I found it interesting how based on a person's economic status depends on how a "boy friend" should act towards his "girlfriend's" family. I can see in reality how a boy may try to seem more of a higher class by trying to be polite or act smart if he was trying to impress his girlfriend's parents who were wealthy.
In Maxine Hong Kingston’s “No Name Woman” the main theme is culture and in this story specifically how it affects women personally as well as their behavior towards society depending on their own culture. I agree that based on a person's culture or religion a person especially being a girl I know women care how society (and their culture) views them so culture definitely affects a woman personally.
I have read the entire book of Invisible Man so when I read Ralph Waldo Ellison’s “Battle Royal” I knew more background to the chapter. In this chapter specifically he is thrown into a boxing match while white men are throwing money and treating these black men fighting as animals. The main theme of this book and especially this chapter is obviously racism as well as identity. Through out the book and in this chapter the narrator continually refers to his grandfathers wise advice to help him through his struggle of being a black man in a white man's world. The idea of his grandfather ultimately carries him through and he succeeds in becoming a strong individual.
In Maxine Hong Kingston’s “No Name Woman” the main theme is culture and in this story specifically how it affects women personally as well as their behavior towards society depending on their own culture. I agree that based on a person's culture or religion a person especially being a girl I know women care how society (and their culture) views them so culture definitely affects a woman personally.
I have read the entire book of Invisible Man so when I read Ralph Waldo Ellison’s “Battle Royal” I knew more background to the chapter. In this chapter specifically he is thrown into a boxing match while white men are throwing money and treating these black men fighting as animals. The main theme of this book and especially this chapter is obviously racism as well as identity. Through out the book and in this chapter the narrator continually refers to his grandfathers wise advice to help him through his struggle of being a black man in a white man's world. The idea of his grandfather ultimately carries him through and he succeeds in becoming a strong individual.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Randall jarrell
After reading Randall Jarrell's background I would think about the overall idea of the poem differently. meaning I would analyze it differently considering the authors past. I think it would be helpful next time to read an authors background before and after reading their poem or story, to get a better understanding of what they're trying to get across to the reader.
3-20 in class free write
A.)Word Association...
1."WAR": I think of troops being flown off to other countries to fight and battle for freedom. In my mind war seems gloomy and dark and the sounds associated with it are either gun shots, the sound of explosions, planes flying, or complete silence.The way i think of war as an image has some to do with the Iraq footage as well as war movies.
2."GUNNER": When i think of gunner i picture a man aiming with a gun just ready to shoot when the opportunity is available. i think the sound is mainly silent until he shoots which is when you hear constant gun shots.
3."ATTACK": I think of soldiers firing guns, bombs etc; and I think of soldiers running around and taking cover trying to survive and fight at the same time not knowing what's going to happen next. The word attack in my mind seems alarming and would be like bright red or yellow, and the sounds I would associate it with are loud gun shots, explosions, and yelling.
B.) My strongest associations with the term "WORLD WAR II" are soldiers fighting and people wanting peace.
1."WAR": I think of troops being flown off to other countries to fight and battle for freedom. In my mind war seems gloomy and dark and the sounds associated with it are either gun shots, the sound of explosions, planes flying, or complete silence.The way i think of war as an image has some to do with the Iraq footage as well as war movies.
2."GUNNER": When i think of gunner i picture a man aiming with a gun just ready to shoot when the opportunity is available. i think the sound is mainly silent until he shoots which is when you hear constant gun shots.
3."ATTACK": I think of soldiers firing guns, bombs etc; and I think of soldiers running around and taking cover trying to survive and fight at the same time not knowing what's going to happen next. The word attack in my mind seems alarming and would be like bright red or yellow, and the sounds I would associate it with are loud gun shots, explosions, and yelling.
B.) My strongest associations with the term "WORLD WAR II" are soldiers fighting and people wanting peace.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
3/20 homework
After reading, “Turning Out with a Focus on Historicism”, it's evident that history cannot always be the absolute truth. There is always information found by others to prove someone's theory, but no one will ever know whether there is real truth behind them because it is in the past. I agree with the article that people should always do as much of their own research as they can before believing someone else's just like in the social world where I was taught not always to believe another person's word unless you witnessed it first hand. Even thought their are theories which state the Holocaust didn't happen their are people who survived it which make it true. However, maybe one jew did not suffer as badly as another but I definitely disagree in terms of the Holocaust that suffrage wasn't among all the jews. Regardless the intensity it was either death, or near it.
I found the "The Holocaust Party" very interesting. However I was not shocked that the speaker believed the story. Because the Holocaust was so incredibly horrifying it's hard to believe it actually even happened. So I can see how the speaker would automatically believe the story. Although the narrator mentions the need for support to be sure the story is accurate, still today there are people who refuse to believe the Holocaust even happened. I took a history class on the Holocaust and I the events are unimaginable that it's hard to distinguish whether the story could be true or false.
In Randall Jarrell’s “The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner”, the author uses phrases such as "wet fur froze" and "nightmares" which describe the speakers discomfort with his situation of being in war. I believe he is in war because the word "fighters" is mentioned, as well as dying. I noted that the speaker continually referred to "it" through out the poem. The end of the poem reveals the speaker dying and the attitude ends negatively and the mood is not glorious at all.
I found the "The Holocaust Party" very interesting. However I was not shocked that the speaker believed the story. Because the Holocaust was so incredibly horrifying it's hard to believe it actually even happened. So I can see how the speaker would automatically believe the story. Although the narrator mentions the need for support to be sure the story is accurate, still today there are people who refuse to believe the Holocaust even happened. I took a history class on the Holocaust and I the events are unimaginable that it's hard to distinguish whether the story could be true or false.
In Randall Jarrell’s “The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner”, the author uses phrases such as "wet fur froze" and "nightmares" which describe the speakers discomfort with his situation of being in war. I believe he is in war because the word "fighters" is mentioned, as well as dying. I noted that the speaker continually referred to "it" through out the poem. The end of the poem reveals the speaker dying and the attitude ends negatively and the mood is not glorious at all.
Monday, March 17, 2008
3/18 readings
In Rupert Brooke’s “The Solider” it's about a soldier who is dedicated to fighting for his country but if he dies he wants to be remembered well such as the girl he brought "flowers" to, he wants her to remember he loves her. He also says how he wants "all evil shed away", he is hoping that his willingness to die for his country will ultimately gain peace and evil will no longer remain. The poem closes with the idea that shall he die, he wants the one's he loved to remember him but continue to live their lives happy even if it's with out him.
In Wilfred Owen’s “Anthem for Doomed Youth” and “Dulce Et Decorum Est” they are both poems that portray war in a negative position. They each use strong emotional diction to display the negative realities of war. For example, the poems describe that being a soldier and fighting should not be viewed as heroic, and that the damaging effects war has on soldiers is in no way glorious. Having the word "doom" in the title of one of the poems automatically tells the reader that the poem is going to lead to something bad, and in this case war leads to death. The message of these poems is that all soldiers are "doomed" to death and that their is no chance of survival during war.
I really enjoyed Siegfried Sassoon’s “Glory of Women” because it was sort of a women's point of view and becoming fed up with having to deal with the man always being in control and his say over hers. This poem is about the man only wanting or loving the women when it's good for him or under his circumstances. I found this poem interesting because I can relate it to reality, where I and plenty of people have been in or been exposed to relationships like this which usually end slow and painfully.
In Wilfred Owen’s “Anthem for Doomed Youth” and “Dulce Et Decorum Est” they are both poems that portray war in a negative position. They each use strong emotional diction to display the negative realities of war. For example, the poems describe that being a soldier and fighting should not be viewed as heroic, and that the damaging effects war has on soldiers is in no way glorious. Having the word "doom" in the title of one of the poems automatically tells the reader that the poem is going to lead to something bad, and in this case war leads to death. The message of these poems is that all soldiers are "doomed" to death and that their is no chance of survival during war.
I really enjoyed Siegfried Sassoon’s “Glory of Women” because it was sort of a women's point of view and becoming fed up with having to deal with the man always being in control and his say over hers. This poem is about the man only wanting or loving the women when it's good for him or under his circumstances. I found this poem interesting because I can relate it to reality, where I and plenty of people have been in or been exposed to relationships like this which usually end slow and painfully.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
my paper 's concerns
I am concerned about the stucture of my paper. I had trouble writing four pages because i had trouble deciding main ideas for multiple paragraphs. I am also concerned on making sure my ideas flow and relate to my thesis.
class blog: poster
My poster describes how the media puts on tv shows intended for younger and teen audiences yet also the media displays their negative behavior which effects the teens who look at these celebrities as role models. my main point is to make sure parents know what their kids are watching and to make them realize that celebrities are not fit to be role models that they are "Acting" on tv and should not be looked up to in reality. I chose this particular issue because society is obsessed with celebrities and how they play role models for young girls or teenagers however all that is displayed lately is their negative behavior which can lead the teenagers to act this way and think it is ok and that they will also get away with it. I used bold letters to ask the question of role models being pictured with teen show celebrities such as Jamie Lynn Spears who is a part of teenage pregnancy and one of the Olsen twins who who looks sloppy and is smoking a cigarette. If i could add and change my poster i would make it a tv commercial and a billboard ad showing more clips and photos of celebrities acting inappropriately displaying how they should not be looked up to. I would put them on tv, to target the teenagers watching their shows and I would make billboard ads to target the parents while they're driving to help send the message to their kids that celebrities are not role models in reality.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Topic Proposal #2
1 The object I have chosen are my favorite dark wash True Religion "low rise" skinny fit jeans.
2. The main purpose of the jeans are to be worn for casual as well as more dressed up occasions.
3. Some additional messages these jeans can send are by wearing them one may be trying to be seen by society as "fashionable" or wealthy that they can afford to buy expensive clothes. A mixed negative message the jeans could display are the fact that the style is "low rise" and they are tight fitting which could come across to some people as provocative for such an everyday item of clothing.
4. The features that are crucial in my analysis are the low waist band for the low rise style and the stretchy jean material that make the tight fitting jean look possible.
5. Some important features of the design elements are the distinct pocket flaps and designs on the pockets on the back of the jeans, which make it visible for people who are buying the jeans to try and find the exact one's celebrities are wearing. Also the "True Religion" brand's label sewed on the back of jeans that is visible to others that prove the authenticity of the designer jeans. The dark wash color of the jeans make it acceptable to wear them in the day for a casual look as well as at night for a more dressed up look.
6. The intended audience for these jeans are all women especially young women who are into fashion and what is "in". I fall into this category considering I am a young woman being 18 years old and I love fashion and enjoy collecting and wearing designer clothes. The low rise style also enables me to wear all different kinds of shirts with the jeans as well.
Thesis:
Everyday objects people use are not always understood with deeper meaning to them. A simple object to one person could represent another person for what they believe in. My favorite dark wash true religion "low rise" skinny fit jeans, I not only wear to class and out with my friends but also the idea and image of designer jeans pulls me into adding to my collection. These jeans relay a deeper understanding of societies effect of body image on teenage and young women who are not only expected to fit into these "skinny" jeans but are forced to feel that in order to be considered fashionable they must invest in expensive designer clothes, so they will be thought of by society as "stylish" or high class.
2. The main purpose of the jeans are to be worn for casual as well as more dressed up occasions.
3. Some additional messages these jeans can send are by wearing them one may be trying to be seen by society as "fashionable" or wealthy that they can afford to buy expensive clothes. A mixed negative message the jeans could display are the fact that the style is "low rise" and they are tight fitting which could come across to some people as provocative for such an everyday item of clothing.
4. The features that are crucial in my analysis are the low waist band for the low rise style and the stretchy jean material that make the tight fitting jean look possible.
5. Some important features of the design elements are the distinct pocket flaps and designs on the pockets on the back of the jeans, which make it visible for people who are buying the jeans to try and find the exact one's celebrities are wearing. Also the "True Religion" brand's label sewed on the back of jeans that is visible to others that prove the authenticity of the designer jeans. The dark wash color of the jeans make it acceptable to wear them in the day for a casual look as well as at night for a more dressed up look.
6. The intended audience for these jeans are all women especially young women who are into fashion and what is "in". I fall into this category considering I am a young woman being 18 years old and I love fashion and enjoy collecting and wearing designer clothes. The low rise style also enables me to wear all different kinds of shirts with the jeans as well.
Thesis:
Everyday objects people use are not always understood with deeper meaning to them. A simple object to one person could represent another person for what they believe in. My favorite dark wash true religion "low rise" skinny fit jeans, I not only wear to class and out with my friends but also the idea and image of designer jeans pulls me into adding to my collection. These jeans relay a deeper understanding of societies effect of body image on teenage and young women who are not only expected to fit into these "skinny" jeans but are forced to feel that in order to be considered fashionable they must invest in expensive designer clothes, so they will be thought of by society as "stylish" or high class.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
By displaying powerful messages on billboards it's easier to get the message your trying to send out to people. Billboards are everywhere and are always easy to see and read. This device of advertising is effective because no matter what the message is people are bound to read it. I know when I am driving I always notice the billboard ads and they always stick out to me and are easier to recall then perhaps an ad in a magazine or newspaper.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Homework Blog 2/26
After reading the article I got a good idea on how to correctly analyze an object, and how to break down each part of how an object is made up. The article gave a clear example of how to analyze an idea, object, or text. After reading it I found it very interesting how girl power is promoted yet how following "girl power" the idea is that the girl is expected to fit into a stereotyped category. For example, a girl is expected to achieve the position of being thought of as a "queen", meaning they must be skinny and glamorized like a supermodel with an "anorexic frame". They're also supposed to be "daring", meaning they wear flashy and border line provocative clothing to be categorized as powerful in the movement of girl power. Not only does the article breakdown the girl power movement into negatively framing girls to fit this perfect image to appear "powerful", but I agree with the concluding statement that says, "Even in the midst of 'girl power', this T-shirt shows us a woman still dependent on men", which contradicts the whole purpose of "girl power".
Monday, February 25, 2008
Beyond Words: "Designs and The Design of Everyday Things"
After reading the article, I found it very interesting how the media plays a role in design in society. Designers are forced to design what the public wants after being exposed to the media and the entertainment world to try to buy what is "in" according to the media.
The entertainment world such as movies, puts stereotypes on products, in the article they describe the design and movie's impact on car designs. The Media puts stereotypes on cars to appeal to audiences as a way of advertising, where the designers take those hints and design cars that people want to buy. So in a way not only does the media shape what the designers should make but it advertises for those designer's products.
For example, in a movie where you see actors living in mansions and having luxurious lives, they will specifically drive a type of car for instance, a mercedes, to symbolize wealth. Moreover, a person watching this movie and seeing this, might then want to appeal wealthy to others, and therefore they will most likely purchase a mercedes to seem rich. Also, rappers who enjoy "big nights out" will drive around hummers or limos and someone wanting that type of lifestyle may buy a hummer or rent a limo to achieve the "party life style".
I also found it interesting that women are the top buyers for SUVs and trucks when usually they're advertised as a "mans car". In the article it also describes the designers demand to satisfy the want of the women customers wanting their cars to have "sex appeal" yet they must be safe.
The entertainment world such as movies, puts stereotypes on products, in the article they describe the design and movie's impact on car designs. The Media puts stereotypes on cars to appeal to audiences as a way of advertising, where the designers take those hints and design cars that people want to buy. So in a way not only does the media shape what the designers should make but it advertises for those designer's products.
For example, in a movie where you see actors living in mansions and having luxurious lives, they will specifically drive a type of car for instance, a mercedes, to symbolize wealth. Moreover, a person watching this movie and seeing this, might then want to appeal wealthy to others, and therefore they will most likely purchase a mercedes to seem rich. Also, rappers who enjoy "big nights out" will drive around hummers or limos and someone wanting that type of lifestyle may buy a hummer or rent a limo to achieve the "party life style".
I also found it interesting that women are the top buyers for SUVs and trucks when usually they're advertised as a "mans car". In the article it also describes the designers demand to satisfy the want of the women customers wanting their cars to have "sex appeal" yet they must be safe.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Mac vs PC class blog
Although i was not thrilled about having to get used to using my new mac last year, after using it about a couple days I would have to say that I prefer a mac over a pc. The designs of the mac or my "macbook" laptop that attracts me more than a regular pc is the fact that it is this new fresh looking white that you are able to change it's outside color with different laptop covers. Also that fact that it's smaller and more lightweight than most older pc laptops which is also why the mac appeals to me. the software of the mac is also more high tech and is better when blocking viruses which can really destroy a computer considering all the sites I like to go online shopping and downloading music from. Their campaign ads the fact that mac's don't usually freeze and are faster than pc's which appeal to me as well.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Assignment 2: intro
In Paul Brown’s short story, “Swinging”, Steve who is home from college, discovers the news of his parents getting a divorce. Throughout the story the reader is able to detect Steve’s sense of instability and uncertainty to whether happiness exists with in a person. Brown uses a variety of literary devices to argue the issue that when one is faced with life’s barriers, it is essential for them to overcome those challenges in order to discover their true self and achieve lifelong happiness.
Assignment 1
Short Writing Assignment 1
Topic Proposal:
1. The text I have chosen is Paul Brown’s short story, “Swinging”
2. The text’s main point and central argument is that life is full of struggles a person must face, in order to find their true self. The text advises that one must not use their past as an escape route to protect them self from their uncertainties, however they must let go of their past and move on with an open mind in order to find themselves, because in their own found world, is where lifelong happiness exists.
3. The passage I have chosen to mainly focus in is the last paragraph of the story. The last paragraph is very significant to the meaning of the entire story and concludes with Steve’s realization of his self, life, as well as Brown’s story.
4. Within the passage I chose, the author uses various literary devices to demonstrate a deeper meaning for the reader. Brown uses the rope as symbol of the past as well as the diction for the action of rope swinging to represent the constant back and fourth motion (swing) of Steve’s thoughts on his past and future. The Rope swinging also represents the “ride” or in other words the journey that life takes us on. Brown uses powerful words to represent his feeling of panic about his life when describing Steve’s experience on the rope swing. Brown also uses color imagery such as darkness, to symbolize Steve’s confusion and what is potentially unknown.
5. My passage’s distinct rhythm of Steve’s turn on the rope swing describes his adrenaline pumping ride on the rope and how Brown dramatizes it using strong diction. It’s known that a swinging motion starts off fast, and then slows to a stop. This is similar to how Brown begins the passage with intense, unpleasant imagery such as “thundering heart” to describe the negative emotion Steve feels because of his parent’s divorce. Brown’s rhythm continues to a slower state of swinging, not fully angry yet Steve doesn’t feel full closure, Brown adds, “gravity and rope tug at him”, this quote relates to Steve’s reaction, feeling confused and hesitant toward who he now considers himself as, based on believing his parents were happy throughout his childhood, and now after the news of their divorce isn’t fully surprised of their decision. Towards the end of the passage the rhythm slows even more where Steve feels “weightless” representing Steve coming to terms with the reality of his parent’s divorce and understanding he still has the ability to achieve happiness.
6. The literary devices present in Brown’s passage are used to express deeper meaning of the text in order for the reader to gain better knowledge of Steve’s emotional situation. The text also provides a hidden meaning towards Steve’s thoughts, where he feels lost and confused, where Brown uses the literary devices engage the reader, forcing them to be active in interpreting the true meaning of preventing one’s past from discovering them self.
Thesis:
Brown uses a variety of literary devices to argue the issue that when one is faced with life’s barriers, it is essential for them to overcome those challenges in order to discover their true self and achieve lifelong happiness.
Topic Proposal:
1. The text I have chosen is Paul Brown’s short story, “Swinging”
2. The text’s main point and central argument is that life is full of struggles a person must face, in order to find their true self. The text advises that one must not use their past as an escape route to protect them self from their uncertainties, however they must let go of their past and move on with an open mind in order to find themselves, because in their own found world, is where lifelong happiness exists.
3. The passage I have chosen to mainly focus in is the last paragraph of the story. The last paragraph is very significant to the meaning of the entire story and concludes with Steve’s realization of his self, life, as well as Brown’s story.
4. Within the passage I chose, the author uses various literary devices to demonstrate a deeper meaning for the reader. Brown uses the rope as symbol of the past as well as the diction for the action of rope swinging to represent the constant back and fourth motion (swing) of Steve’s thoughts on his past and future. The Rope swinging also represents the “ride” or in other words the journey that life takes us on. Brown uses powerful words to represent his feeling of panic about his life when describing Steve’s experience on the rope swing. Brown also uses color imagery such as darkness, to symbolize Steve’s confusion and what is potentially unknown.
5. My passage’s distinct rhythm of Steve’s turn on the rope swing describes his adrenaline pumping ride on the rope and how Brown dramatizes it using strong diction. It’s known that a swinging motion starts off fast, and then slows to a stop. This is similar to how Brown begins the passage with intense, unpleasant imagery such as “thundering heart” to describe the negative emotion Steve feels because of his parent’s divorce. Brown’s rhythm continues to a slower state of swinging, not fully angry yet Steve doesn’t feel full closure, Brown adds, “gravity and rope tug at him”, this quote relates to Steve’s reaction, feeling confused and hesitant toward who he now considers himself as, based on believing his parents were happy throughout his childhood, and now after the news of their divorce isn’t fully surprised of their decision. Towards the end of the passage the rhythm slows even more where Steve feels “weightless” representing Steve coming to terms with the reality of his parent’s divorce and understanding he still has the ability to achieve happiness.
6. The literary devices present in Brown’s passage are used to express deeper meaning of the text in order for the reader to gain better knowledge of Steve’s emotional situation. The text also provides a hidden meaning towards Steve’s thoughts, where he feels lost and confused, where Brown uses the literary devices engage the reader, forcing them to be active in interpreting the true meaning of preventing one’s past from discovering them self.
Thesis:
Brown uses a variety of literary devices to argue the issue that when one is faced with life’s barriers, it is essential for them to overcome those challenges in order to discover their true self and achieve lifelong happiness.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
in class- quote
The quote that continually replays in my head is from an episode of the tv show, "the oc". It that says "the sooner you realize things are never going to go back to the way they were the sooner you'll move on". I think this quote sticks with me so much because I've used it as advice severall times concerning different things. I believe that it is very true and it's helpful for someone in a situation where they are sad, or angry because they aren't content with their situations at that time and continually think back to a previous situation in which they would like to go back to but in reality isn't possible. Accepting and applying this quote one can read it and realize that living in the past will only make them feel worse and that the only way to move on is to accept the past, forget about it, and move on.
Monday, February 4, 2008
2/4 homework
I really enjoyed James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues" because it reminded me of the book Invisible Man which I really enjoyed. Both stories are about a black man's struggle in a white society, and how racism limits the african americans from opportunities. I can relate to Baldwin's story because the character re directs his frustration and struggle into his music, where for me I take my frustrations out in cheerleading or tumbling at practice. In this story there are many symbols throughout the text that represent suffering and pain yet his music acts as an escape to release him of his struggles.
I found John Barth’s “Lost in the Funhouse” different compared to the other short stories. In this piece, Barth has an interesting sense of humor in a way to relay his message in his story. He also uses metaphors to show represent his struggles with his parents.
In each story there's a common theme of struggle but each authors displays it in their writings a different way.
I found John Barth’s “Lost in the Funhouse” different compared to the other short stories. In this piece, Barth has an interesting sense of humor in a way to relay his message in his story. He also uses metaphors to show represent his struggles with his parents.
In each story there's a common theme of struggle but each authors displays it in their writings a different way.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sergei Esenin Blog
While both poems are about the "golden grove" I think the second translation is better. I think this because it uses simpler phrases that clearly describe what is going on versus the first translation where the reader has to try more to interpret what the speaker is trying to say. For exmaple in the first translation the speaker says, " There is no point lamenting squandering years" versus the second translation the speaker says simply, "I don't regret the years that I have wasted". By reading the second phrase the reader clearly, already knows what the speaker is trying to say, where as in the first phrase the reader might have to look up some words or try to interpret what the speaker is trying to say. In these two translations they both have color imagery in common such as the first one, "bunched rowanberries" and the second one " red rowan berry clusters", they both mean the same thing as well as using the same colors. Each poem also gets the same theme and point across to the reader but the the second translation is just a simpler version that requires less thought interpretation from the reader.
Carolina Reader Blogs 1/28 ( for tuesday 1/29)
"The Lone Ranger..."
Notes:
7-11 "graveyard" shift associated with: "loneliness", seeking "familiarity"
Racial Comments: "swallowed hard like a white man does in those situations"
--> police man profiled him: "you don't fit the profile of the neighborhood"
--> dreams of attacking whites
Color Imagery:
*White socks: "SHOWED OFF his WHITE socks"
*Black shoes: "CHEAP BLACK shoes"
--> "showing off" white vs. "cheap" black
speaker: indian --> "dark skin/black hair"= "had potential" of being a criminal. (dark/black)= danger!
ex girlfriend: white
- red circled ads: warning
Theme: POWER ( speaker wants control/ power)
--> tries to scare/ make white 7-11 clerk nervous in order to gain control over him/ situation = free creamsicle and feeling of power to be able to scare him.
--> his hurtful/powerful words when arguing with his ex girlfriend caused him to feel in control of her and being able to hurt her with his words when they argued.
poem ends with : "lying in the dark" = dark = not being able to see clearly--> speaker can't see his life in the future, doesn't know what to do with his life.
"Hills..."
In the beginng of the poem it uses light color imagery to represent the hills/ the girl and the man's relationship situation. Then at the end of the poem the author uses "shadow of a cloud moved across" where shadow symbolizes confusion which represents the couples situation. they are confused and can't seem to make their relationship work. so they look over to the "dry side" now which represents their love being dried up and nothing left to them as a couple.
"Jamaica Kincaid"
In this poem i found it interesting that the *white* clothes were to be washed before the *colored* clothes.
Also in this poem I believe it's about a woman who is paranoid with how society views and will label her. So she is constantly kicking her thoughts out of her own head and replacing them with what she thinks society expects of her in order to be thought of as a lady. I think she thinks of herself as a slut which she thinks is a negative quality and is paranoid that others will figure her out and think the same so she does all she can to try to avoid that label by trying to live according to societies standards/ expectations.
Notes:
7-11 "graveyard" shift associated with: "loneliness", seeking "familiarity"
Racial Comments: "swallowed hard like a white man does in those situations"
--> police man profiled him: "you don't fit the profile of the neighborhood"
--> dreams of attacking whites
Color Imagery:
*White socks: "SHOWED OFF his WHITE socks"
*Black shoes: "CHEAP BLACK shoes"
--> "showing off" white vs. "cheap" black
speaker: indian --> "dark skin/black hair"= "had potential" of being a criminal. (dark/black)= danger!
ex girlfriend: white
- red circled ads: warning
Theme: POWER ( speaker wants control/ power)
--> tries to scare/ make white 7-11 clerk nervous in order to gain control over him/ situation = free creamsicle and feeling of power to be able to scare him.
--> his hurtful/powerful words when arguing with his ex girlfriend caused him to feel in control of her and being able to hurt her with his words when they argued.
poem ends with : "lying in the dark" = dark = not being able to see clearly--> speaker can't see his life in the future, doesn't know what to do with his life.
"Hills..."
In the beginng of the poem it uses light color imagery to represent the hills/ the girl and the man's relationship situation. Then at the end of the poem the author uses "shadow of a cloud moved across" where shadow symbolizes confusion which represents the couples situation. they are confused and can't seem to make their relationship work. so they look over to the "dry side" now which represents their love being dried up and nothing left to them as a couple.
"Jamaica Kincaid"
In this poem i found it interesting that the *white* clothes were to be washed before the *colored* clothes.
Also in this poem I believe it's about a woman who is paranoid with how society views and will label her. So she is constantly kicking her thoughts out of her own head and replacing them with what she thinks society expects of her in order to be thought of as a lady. I think she thinks of herself as a slut which she thinks is a negative quality and is paranoid that others will figure her out and think the same so she does all she can to try to avoid that label by trying to live according to societies standards/ expectations.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
In class: free write
Free write:
word associations...
HEART: love, relationships, humans, breathing/ life
DESERT: dry, hot, sand, cactus
UNIVERSE: large, everyone in the world, stars, space, planets, quiet
SHEPHERD: farms, sheep, an old man
word associations...
HEART: love, relationships, humans, breathing/ life
DESERT: dry, hot, sand, cactus
UNIVERSE: large, everyone in the world, stars, space, planets, quiet
SHEPHERD: farms, sheep, an old man
Warm Up
1.) A close reading is where one reads the text a couple times while taking notes on characters, themes, symbols, and anything they feel may be important in developing a story line and interpreting the meaning of the text. Once one has read the text and taken notes, they can again go back through the reading and try to find connections between words in order to interpret deeper meanings.
2.) In my own words Pastoral means pleasant scenery or setting where the author may write about. The dictionary defines pastoral as a person or thing associated with spiritual care. In my own words mistress is another form of wife in earlier times. The dictionary defines it as a woman having control or authority. The dictionary defines nymph as any of a class of semi-divine spirits, imagined as taking the form of a maiden inhabiting the sea, rivers, mountains, woods, trees, etc., and often portrayed in poetry as attendants on a particular god.
2.) In my own words Pastoral means pleasant scenery or setting where the author may write about. The dictionary defines pastoral as a person or thing associated with spiritual care. In my own words mistress is another form of wife in earlier times. The dictionary defines it as a woman having control or authority. The dictionary defines nymph as any of a class of semi-divine spirits, imagined as taking the form of a maiden inhabiting the sea, rivers, mountains, woods, trees, etc., and often portrayed in poetry as attendants on a particular god.
Carolina Reader Poem blogs 1/23
When reading a poem for instance, one's experiences in life can alter the way one may percieves the meaning of the poem.
"In the desert"
For someone who has had a failed relationship or had their heart broken might read this poem and relate it to man who had his heart broken. The author uses imagery and symbolism when using the word "naked" to demonstrate how the character has nothing left to loose. Perhaps the girl who broke his heart took everything from him, stripped him of his clothes and all he is left with is his broken heart which he refers to as "bitter". Which he wants to eat because it is bitter so he doesn't want to give someone else the chance of taking it so he decides to eat it so no one else can take it away from him. The denotation of the word "ate" is the act of consuming something versus the connotatoin, disappearing, gone, or nothing left. From this I concluded that there is nothing left of his pride, dignity, which is why he is naked.
"The Flea"
In this poem I interpreted the story being about a man who was in a relatonship where he felt he gave it his all and then came to find that his girlfriend cheated on him so he ended the relationship, and now she's with another man and he's warning the new boyfriend about her devious and sinful actions she is probably doing to him as well.
The believe the author uses the metaphor "flea" to symbolize his ex girlfriend. I developed this interpretation with the connotation as a flea being painful, annoying, and you don't realize an animal for instance has fleas until you really look. In terms of the poem, the boyfriend in the story is hurt by this "flea" (ex girlfriend) with her cheating that he didn't catch until he really looked and realized the lies she was doing.
"The Passionate Shephard"
In this poem I believe that it is about a man who is trying to convinve a woman he's in love with, to be with him.
To inlfuence the girl's decision the speaker says "birds sing" to symbolize a happy, cheerful place. The speaker continues to use the words "roses" and "flowers" to show he can be romantic and he uses the word "gold" in his poem to symbolize his wealth and to show the woman that she will live a comfortable life. The speaker also uses the words "dance" and "sing" to symbolize joy and happiness, as well as the phrase "May morning", where May represents spring which symbolizes youth and life.
"To his Coy Mistress"
In this poem I believe it is about the speaker ( a man) who is in love with a woman, and is willing to do anything for her as a way to show how much he loves her.
"In the desert"
For someone who has had a failed relationship or had their heart broken might read this poem and relate it to man who had his heart broken. The author uses imagery and symbolism when using the word "naked" to demonstrate how the character has nothing left to loose. Perhaps the girl who broke his heart took everything from him, stripped him of his clothes and all he is left with is his broken heart which he refers to as "bitter". Which he wants to eat because it is bitter so he doesn't want to give someone else the chance of taking it so he decides to eat it so no one else can take it away from him. The denotation of the word "ate" is the act of consuming something versus the connotatoin, disappearing, gone, or nothing left. From this I concluded that there is nothing left of his pride, dignity, which is why he is naked.
"The Flea"
In this poem I interpreted the story being about a man who was in a relatonship where he felt he gave it his all and then came to find that his girlfriend cheated on him so he ended the relationship, and now she's with another man and he's warning the new boyfriend about her devious and sinful actions she is probably doing to him as well.
The believe the author uses the metaphor "flea" to symbolize his ex girlfriend. I developed this interpretation with the connotation as a flea being painful, annoying, and you don't realize an animal for instance has fleas until you really look. In terms of the poem, the boyfriend in the story is hurt by this "flea" (ex girlfriend) with her cheating that he didn't catch until he really looked and realized the lies she was doing.
"The Passionate Shephard"
In this poem I believe that it is about a man who is trying to convinve a woman he's in love with, to be with him.
To inlfuence the girl's decision the speaker says "birds sing" to symbolize a happy, cheerful place. The speaker continues to use the words "roses" and "flowers" to show he can be romantic and he uses the word "gold" in his poem to symbolize his wealth and to show the woman that she will live a comfortable life. The speaker also uses the words "dance" and "sing" to symbolize joy and happiness, as well as the phrase "May morning", where May represents spring which symbolizes youth and life.
"To his Coy Mistress"
In this poem I believe it is about the speaker ( a man) who is in love with a woman, and is willing to do anything for her as a way to show how much he loves her.
"New Criticism" (Strategies)
New Criticism: views meaning as a product of the text itself. The meaning (of the story, poem) is soley the words on the page.
*we always view a text through the "lens" of our own experiences*
Critism Lenses:
1.) Imager and Symbolism: makes claims about a piece of literature that look at descriptions or descriptive details = "Mental pictures"
-authors use imagery/ symbols to create an impression.
(ex: spring = life, autumn = age, darkness= danger, setting of sun = death)
2.) Similies and Metaphors: literay comparisons to understand even subtle meaning in a text.
Similies: compare 2 distinctly different things using LIKE or AS
(ex: My love is LIKE a rose)
Metaphors: Merge 2 distincly different things with out asserting a comparison so that one essentially becomes the other.
(ex: My love is a rose)
3.) Connotation and Denotation: study of single words can bring understanding to our reading of the text. Provides us with evidence to support different types of claims.
Connotation: associated meaning (ex: fire = heat, light, flames)
Denotation: dictionary meaning ( ex: chemical change by heat and light)
"Ethics"
This poem is a good one to practice using the tools of "new criticism".
In this poem they mention the theme or art vs. life
The author uses imagery and symbolism to give the reader ideas and mental pictures. For example the author uses color imagery such as "darker" twice and "browns", dark color imagery can represent danger. The author also uses the word "burn" which is ironic considering the poem has to do with a fire taking place. The word "autumn" can also be considered as a symbol for age, meaning that the old woman's younth has passes and now she will face death regardless of the fire.
Practice 6D:
In the poem, "The Flea", the author uses metaphors as characters names, for example, the author uses "the flea" to represent the speakers ex girlfriend, which the poem is about. I believe the author used the metaphor as a flea because everyone hates fleas because they're irritating, they're bugs in which we want them to disappear so they won't hurt us or bother us anymore. Which is what the speaker thought of his girlfriend. The speaker hated his ex girlfriend and wanted her to disappear so the speaker used a "flea" to represent her character in his poem. In this poem there's a theme or the word "blood", the speaker constantly used "blood" as a symbol for hurt, pain, and humans because blood is what makes up a human but is only seen when someone is hurt (for which they bleed).
Practice 6E:
To me, I associate my grandmother with mostly holidays. Within those holidays I think about cooking with my grandma for thanksgiving, shopping for christmas presents, going to the New York city ballet and going to the circus near christmas, and to birthday visits and birthday shopping sprees. When I think about my grandmother it reminds me of the summertime at our beach house with all my aunts, uncles, and cousins, and thinking about when I was younger how I would play dress up with her clothes, have tea parties with her antique tea sets, to singing and putting on shows for her.
*we always view a text through the "lens" of our own experiences*
Critism Lenses:
1.) Imager and Symbolism: makes claims about a piece of literature that look at descriptions or descriptive details = "Mental pictures"
-authors use imagery/ symbols to create an impression.
(ex: spring = life, autumn = age, darkness= danger, setting of sun = death)
2.) Similies and Metaphors: literay comparisons to understand even subtle meaning in a text.
Similies: compare 2 distinctly different things using LIKE or AS
(ex: My love is LIKE a rose)
Metaphors: Merge 2 distincly different things with out asserting a comparison so that one essentially becomes the other.
(ex: My love is a rose)
3.) Connotation and Denotation: study of single words can bring understanding to our reading of the text. Provides us with evidence to support different types of claims.
Connotation: associated meaning (ex: fire = heat, light, flames)
Denotation: dictionary meaning ( ex: chemical change by heat and light)
"Ethics"
This poem is a good one to practice using the tools of "new criticism".
In this poem they mention the theme or art vs. life
The author uses imagery and symbolism to give the reader ideas and mental pictures. For example the author uses color imagery such as "darker" twice and "browns", dark color imagery can represent danger. The author also uses the word "burn" which is ironic considering the poem has to do with a fire taking place. The word "autumn" can also be considered as a symbol for age, meaning that the old woman's younth has passes and now she will face death regardless of the fire.
Practice 6D:
In the poem, "The Flea", the author uses metaphors as characters names, for example, the author uses "the flea" to represent the speakers ex girlfriend, which the poem is about. I believe the author used the metaphor as a flea because everyone hates fleas because they're irritating, they're bugs in which we want them to disappear so they won't hurt us or bother us anymore. Which is what the speaker thought of his girlfriend. The speaker hated his ex girlfriend and wanted her to disappear so the speaker used a "flea" to represent her character in his poem. In this poem there's a theme or the word "blood", the speaker constantly used "blood" as a symbol for hurt, pain, and humans because blood is what makes up a human but is only seen when someone is hurt (for which they bleed).
Practice 6E:
To me, I associate my grandmother with mostly holidays. Within those holidays I think about cooking with my grandma for thanksgiving, shopping for christmas presents, going to the New York city ballet and going to the circus near christmas, and to birthday visits and birthday shopping sprees. When I think about my grandmother it reminds me of the summertime at our beach house with all my aunts, uncles, and cousins, and thinking about when I was younger how I would play dress up with her clothes, have tea parties with her antique tea sets, to singing and putting on shows for her.
Monday, January 21, 2008
"Beyond Words" (18-42) 5 question blog
1.) Some examples of "texts" are books, pieces of music, and political documents.
2.) When encountering a new text one should think about what they see, what it's about, what it relates to, how it's composed, and what details matter.
3.) A focal point of a text is a sentence or two that clearly express what the text is going to be about.
4.) The word "Genre" is defined as a category that is used to name and identify a text with consistent and familiar features. They also seem stable, yet their boundaries are rarely fixed.
5.) The word "Context" is defined as the "who, what, where, when, and why" in a text, image, or artifact.
2.) When encountering a new text one should think about what they see, what it's about, what it relates to, how it's composed, and what details matter.
3.) A focal point of a text is a sentence or two that clearly express what the text is going to be about.
4.) The word "Genre" is defined as a category that is used to name and identify a text with consistent and familiar features. They also seem stable, yet their boundaries are rarely fixed.
5.) The word "Context" is defined as the "who, what, where, when, and why" in a text, image, or artifact.
Notes from "Strategies" (59-75, 81-90)
Chap. 2: I agree that literature allows one to use their imagination when reading a story for pleasure. One may be able to relate their experiences or themself to the story or a character, in which they will become more engaged in the story, therefor unconsiously recieving insight and sometimes advice from what the character they're reading about is doing.
Difference in what we gain from each type of reading:
"Leisure Reading" (poetry, short stories-doesn't require strategy except own use of imagination) vs. "Academic Reading" (require to read for understanding/meaing="acive engagement", must engage in critical thinking/ reflect as we read)
Passive Reading (frusterating experience when one cant comprehend text because mind wanders) reader confuses pleasure w/ academic reading.
academic reading= process in which one must become involved in reading: explore reaction: discovery, analysis, reflection.
1.) primary text: original text 2.) seconday text: literay criticism/other cultural info
*Reading: basci understanding, respond, explore outside text, discuss reading = framework for interpretation.
Chap 3: surface level of text: who, what, where, when..(plot: what happend beginning,climax,end) (Character: relationships to one another) (setting: where story takes place) (Poem: decode/restate in own words)--> leads us to *Construction of Meaning*
Strategies while reading... 1. Annotation (easy/ common): as read take notes in margin (what happening, response, questions) * be selective!*
2. skeleton outline: breif, sketchy overview start in margins to outline form (summarize what happens/ basic ideas of each paragraph)
3. summary: (short stories/fiction) objective restatement of main ideas in text.
Chap 4: individual thoughts/feelings=influence understanding/develop interpretation of text.
explore response to reading strategies: 1.) Photo Collage: verbal representation of your response to verbal text. list impressions (images, events, feeling/overall mood), cut out photos that remind of impressions, reread text, form collage represent impressions.
2.)Dialogue/ double entry journal: records quotations from text, pairs w/ readers response in 2 column list.(ex: quotations from text & My response) *helpful: gathering info for support for an essay, reading secondary text for research*
3.) Identifying patterns of Response: aspect of text respond w/ feeling,characters/plot drawn to, similar words/phrases connect w/--> locate themes look for patterns: a.) Patterns of repetition: similar aspects of text respond to
b.) Patterns of opposition: oppositions in text that might create tension--> explore patterns and respond to them!
Difference in what we gain from each type of reading:
"Leisure Reading" (poetry, short stories-doesn't require strategy except own use of imagination) vs. "Academic Reading" (require to read for understanding/meaing="acive engagement", must engage in critical thinking/ reflect as we read)
Passive Reading (frusterating experience when one cant comprehend text because mind wanders) reader confuses pleasure w/ academic reading.
academic reading= process in which one must become involved in reading: explore reaction: discovery, analysis, reflection.
1.) primary text: original text 2.) seconday text: literay criticism/other cultural info
*Reading: basci understanding, respond, explore outside text, discuss reading = framework for interpretation.
Chap 3: surface level of text: who, what, where, when..(plot: what happend beginning,climax,end) (Character: relationships to one another) (setting: where story takes place) (Poem: decode/restate in own words)--> leads us to *Construction of Meaning*
Strategies while reading... 1. Annotation (easy/ common): as read take notes in margin (what happening, response, questions) * be selective!*
2. skeleton outline: breif, sketchy overview start in margins to outline form (summarize what happens/ basic ideas of each paragraph)
3. summary: (short stories/fiction) objective restatement of main ideas in text.
Chap 4: individual thoughts/feelings=influence understanding/develop interpretation of text.
explore response to reading strategies: 1.) Photo Collage: verbal representation of your response to verbal text. list impressions (images, events, feeling/overall mood), cut out photos that remind of impressions, reread text, form collage represent impressions.
2.)Dialogue/ double entry journal: records quotations from text, pairs w/ readers response in 2 column list.(ex: quotations from text & My response) *helpful: gathering info for support for an essay, reading secondary text for research*
3.) Identifying patterns of Response: aspect of text respond w/ feeling,characters/plot drawn to, similar words/phrases connect w/--> locate themes look for patterns: a.) Patterns of repetition: similar aspects of text respond to
b.) Patterns of opposition: oppositions in text that might create tension--> explore patterns and respond to them!
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