Island
Langston Hughes
Wave of sorrow,
Do not drown me now:
I see the island
Still ahead somehow.
I see the island
And its sands are fair:
Wave of sorrow,
Take me there.
This poem feels as if it is a metaphor for not giving up hope. Langston Hughes most likely faced racism and had to deal with it throughout his life, and his poetry may have helped him get through it. In this poem he is saying there is always that place that is good, and you should not give up till you get there. However, the means of getting there may be rough, such as "waves of sorrow". It may take pain to get there, but what he is saying is that you must ride that sorrow and stick it out to get to that "fair" place.
Using metaphors how Hughes uses them in the poem "Island" can be a useful tool. Metaphors can make overused topics seem new because it is a unique approach. In this case he uses and island symbolize hope and waves to symbolize a journey. In the end you can see how it is all a metaphor for racism. Using metaphor can also let you write about topics that may not be acceptable but if you "screen" it using metaphor you can acomplish what you want. Using metaphors can help enhance the meaning behind a story or poem when used properly.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
The End and the Beginning
Wislawa Szymborska
After every war
someone has to clean up.
Things won't
straighten themselves up, after all.
Someone has to push the rubble
to the side of the road,
so the corpse-filled wagons
can pass.
Someone has to get mired
in scum and ashes,
sofa springs,
splintered glass,
and bloody rags.
Someone has to drag in a girder
to prop up a wall,
Someone has to glaze a window,
rehang a door.
Photogenic it's not,
and takes years.
All the cameras have left
for another war.
We'll need the bridges back,
and new railway stations.
Sleeves will go ragged
from rolling them up.
Someone, broom in hand,
still recalls the way it was.
Someone else listens
and nods with unsevered head.
But already there are those nearby
starting to mill about
who will find it dull.
From out of the bushes
sometimes someone still unearths
rusted-out arguments
and carries them to the garbage pile.
Those who knew
what was going on here
must make way for
those who know little.
And less than little.
And finally as little as nothing.
In the grass that has overgrown
causes and effects,
someone must be stretched out
blade of grass in his mouth
gazing at the clouds.
This poem must be based on events that happened in Wislawa Szymborska's life. She writes as if she has first hand knowledge on this subject and actually knows what it is like to recover from war. This poem very easily could have been written to help her vent her frustrations of the war. It is obvious she is bitter because she says how new people come in and think they know what happened there, but really they are just clueless. This poem is very effective at portraying the views of the people who feel that they have been cheated out of something, such as their land.
In this poem Wislawa Szymborska uses first hand knowledge to add emotion to her poem. Whenever you can add first hand knowledge into something you can always make it more meaningful. In this case she states how the people who are left in rubble must fix it themselves while staying out of the way "those who know little" of that place. It is effective because it adds real emotion into the story which makes the reader feel sympathetic towards her, but also feel disgusted by those who would come in and try to take over something that was once good. By using her first hand experiences she has added a feeling of real emotion into her poem, which is able to make readers better connect with the poem
Wislawa Szymborska
After every war
someone has to clean up.
Things won't
straighten themselves up, after all.
Someone has to push the rubble
to the side of the road,
so the corpse-filled wagons
can pass.
Someone has to get mired
in scum and ashes,
sofa springs,
splintered glass,
and bloody rags.
Someone has to drag in a girder
to prop up a wall,
Someone has to glaze a window,
rehang a door.
Photogenic it's not,
and takes years.
All the cameras have left
for another war.
We'll need the bridges back,
and new railway stations.
Sleeves will go ragged
from rolling them up.
Someone, broom in hand,
still recalls the way it was.
Someone else listens
and nods with unsevered head.
But already there are those nearby
starting to mill about
who will find it dull.
From out of the bushes
sometimes someone still unearths
rusted-out arguments
and carries them to the garbage pile.
Those who knew
what was going on here
must make way for
those who know little.
And less than little.
And finally as little as nothing.
In the grass that has overgrown
causes and effects,
someone must be stretched out
blade of grass in his mouth
gazing at the clouds.
This poem must be based on events that happened in Wislawa Szymborska's life. She writes as if she has first hand knowledge on this subject and actually knows what it is like to recover from war. This poem very easily could have been written to help her vent her frustrations of the war. It is obvious she is bitter because she says how new people come in and think they know what happened there, but really they are just clueless. This poem is very effective at portraying the views of the people who feel that they have been cheated out of something, such as their land.
In this poem Wislawa Szymborska uses first hand knowledge to add emotion to her poem. Whenever you can add first hand knowledge into something you can always make it more meaningful. In this case she states how the people who are left in rubble must fix it themselves while staying out of the way "those who know little" of that place. It is effective because it adds real emotion into the story which makes the reader feel sympathetic towards her, but also feel disgusted by those who would come in and try to take over something that was once good. By using her first hand experiences she has added a feeling of real emotion into her poem, which is able to make readers better connect with the poem
Sunday, December 5, 2010
My heart leaps up when I behold
William Wordsworth
MY heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began,
So is it now I am a man,
So be it when I shall grow old
Or let me die!
The child is father of the man:
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.
This poem talks about how natural beauty, such as a rainbow, has always been fascinating to him. I think it is interesting how he shows this lasting astonishment for nature throughout his life. I also like how he pretty much states that the day he doesn't find happiness in nature's gifts, like rainbows, than he might as well die. The third to last line sticks out a lot to me; I think he is speaking as that the rainbow is a child since it was just "born" and has given him the joy and happiness and his like. The whole idea about nature giving happiness to man is a very special theme, and it is portrayed very well in this poem.
There are several techniques that Wordsworth uses in this poem that can help poets be more effective. When he uses the repitition of the word "so" to explain the progression in his life it shows there is still similarity regardless of the change in age. This resembles how he is still affected by the sight of a rainbow through out the years even though he is a grown man. Using a single word to congeal a span of time throughout his life and highlight the consistency. By using this I think that a poet can make a passage of time hold together and help show how things can stay the same with time.
William Wordsworth
MY heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began,
So is it now I am a man,
So be it when I shall grow old
Or let me die!
The child is father of the man:
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.
This poem talks about how natural beauty, such as a rainbow, has always been fascinating to him. I think it is interesting how he shows this lasting astonishment for nature throughout his life. I also like how he pretty much states that the day he doesn't find happiness in nature's gifts, like rainbows, than he might as well die. The third to last line sticks out a lot to me; I think he is speaking as that the rainbow is a child since it was just "born" and has given him the joy and happiness and his like. The whole idea about nature giving happiness to man is a very special theme, and it is portrayed very well in this poem.
There are several techniques that Wordsworth uses in this poem that can help poets be more effective. When he uses the repitition of the word "so" to explain the progression in his life it shows there is still similarity regardless of the change in age. This resembles how he is still affected by the sight of a rainbow through out the years even though he is a grown man. Using a single word to congeal a span of time throughout his life and highlight the consistency. By using this I think that a poet can make a passage of time hold together and help show how things can stay the same with time.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
The Eagle
He clasps the crag with crooked hands;
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
Ringed with the azure world, he stands.
The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls:
He watches from the mountain walls,
And like a thunderbolt he falls.
This poem is really cool because it takes a topic that can be just very plain and boring to write/read about but it is actually a good poem. It is short, but precise, just like how the eagle is described as flashing down like a thunderbolt. The poem really shows how open and free eagles are, and how nature around them is so peaceful, yet, the eagle is there to strike down in a moment and capture its pray all in such a graceful manor. I think this poem is really trying to portray the peacefulness that the eagle has. It also shows the eagle as a dominant force in nature.
One thing that can be taken from this poem is the stylistic idea of taking a maybe not so peaceful sight (such as an eagle capturing pray) and making it seem like a delicate and peaceful part of nature. There is nothing in this poem that isn't described with natural words, which makes everything about it seem pure, even the act of catching pray. The poem flows smoothly with words that combine nicely with each other to help it sound like a real setting. Everything about the eagle is just simplistic and easy going. It prooves how nature can really be freeing.
The Eagle
He clasps the crag with crooked hands;
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
Ringed with the azure world, he stands.
The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls:
He watches from the mountain walls,
And like a thunderbolt he falls.
This poem is really cool because it takes a topic that can be just very plain and boring to write/read about but it is actually a good poem. It is short, but precise, just like how the eagle is described as flashing down like a thunderbolt. The poem really shows how open and free eagles are, and how nature around them is so peaceful, yet, the eagle is there to strike down in a moment and capture its pray all in such a graceful manor. I think this poem is really trying to portray the peacefulness that the eagle has. It also shows the eagle as a dominant force in nature.
One thing that can be taken from this poem is the stylistic idea of taking a maybe not so peaceful sight (such as an eagle capturing pray) and making it seem like a delicate and peaceful part of nature. There is nothing in this poem that isn't described with natural words, which makes everything about it seem pure, even the act of catching pray. The poem flows smoothly with words that combine nicely with each other to help it sound like a real setting. Everything about the eagle is just simplistic and easy going. It prooves how nature can really be freeing.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Week 3
The Piano Speaks
by Sandra Beasley Sandra Beasley
After Erik Satie
For an hour I forgot my fat self,
my neurotic innards, my addiction to alignment.
For an hour I forgot my fear of rain.
For an hour I was a salamander
shimmying through the kelp in search of shore,
and under his fingers the notes slid loose
from my belly in a long jellyrope of eggs
that took root in the mud. And what
would hatch, I did not know—
a lie. A waltz. An apostle of glass.
For an hour I stood on two legs
and ran. For an hour I panted and galloped.
For an hour I was a maple tree,
and under the summer of his fingers
the notes seeded and winged away
in the clutch of small, elegant helicopters.
This poem was particularly interesting to me because I was fortunate enough to hear to poet herself actually read the poem to me and my creative writing class. This poem is so intriguing by the way Sandra Beasley gives life to the piano and makes it feel things and think things. It is such a unique concept that a particular piano player (Satie) can give this dull inanimate object so much life and purpose to it. This poem takes the piano and makes it seem so natural and pure. This really proves how she feels that music, especially by an expert like Satie, can make dull things have life and seem brilliant.
The thing that Sandra Beasley used in her poem that I tried to use in mine is the idea of breaking out of a cage and just being free. I lifted a line from her poem to begin mine and took off from there. In my poem the theme was how just unthinking things can help you enjoy life, and that sometimes people just think too much and are too up-tight. Her idea of breaking into primitive instincts, like how the piano did, helps show that life can be excellent if you just go and do what is fun and possibly childish. Another thing Beasley does so well is her imagary and word choice. The lines "under his fingers the notes slid loose/from my belly in a long jellyrope of eggs/that took root in the mud." are, in my opinion, the best example from this poem of how smooth everything the piano was doing was. You can picture exactly what Beasley was intending, and you actually feel the kind of slimy "belly in a long jellyrope of eggs". It is amazing, and this along with many other of her techniques can be valuable to a writer.
by Sandra Beasley Sandra Beasley
After Erik Satie
For an hour I forgot my fat self,
my neurotic innards, my addiction to alignment.
For an hour I forgot my fear of rain.
For an hour I was a salamander
shimmying through the kelp in search of shore,
and under his fingers the notes slid loose
from my belly in a long jellyrope of eggs
that took root in the mud. And what
would hatch, I did not know—
a lie. A waltz. An apostle of glass.
For an hour I stood on two legs
and ran. For an hour I panted and galloped.
For an hour I was a maple tree,
and under the summer of his fingers
the notes seeded and winged away
in the clutch of small, elegant helicopters.
This poem was particularly interesting to me because I was fortunate enough to hear to poet herself actually read the poem to me and my creative writing class. This poem is so intriguing by the way Sandra Beasley gives life to the piano and makes it feel things and think things. It is such a unique concept that a particular piano player (Satie) can give this dull inanimate object so much life and purpose to it. This poem takes the piano and makes it seem so natural and pure. This really proves how she feels that music, especially by an expert like Satie, can make dull things have life and seem brilliant.
The thing that Sandra Beasley used in her poem that I tried to use in mine is the idea of breaking out of a cage and just being free. I lifted a line from her poem to begin mine and took off from there. In my poem the theme was how just unthinking things can help you enjoy life, and that sometimes people just think too much and are too up-tight. Her idea of breaking into primitive instincts, like how the piano did, helps show that life can be excellent if you just go and do what is fun and possibly childish. Another thing Beasley does so well is her imagary and word choice. The lines "under his fingers the notes slid loose/from my belly in a long jellyrope of eggs/that took root in the mud." are, in my opinion, the best example from this poem of how smooth everything the piano was doing was. You can picture exactly what Beasley was intending, and you actually feel the kind of slimy "belly in a long jellyrope of eggs". It is amazing, and this along with many other of her techniques can be valuable to a writer.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Whatif
Last night, while I lay thinking here,
some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
and pranced and partied all night long
and sang their same old Whatif song:
Whatif I'm dumb in school?
Whatif they've closed the swimming pool?
Whatif I get beat up?
Whatif there's poison in my cup?
Whatif I start to cry?
Whatif I get sick and die?
Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
Whatif nobody likes me?
Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me?
Whatif I don't grow taller?
Whatif my head starts getting smaller?
Whatif the fish won't bite?
Whatif the wind tears up my kite?
Whatif they start a war?
Whatif my parents get divorced?
Whatif the bus is late?
Whatif my teeth don't grow in straight?
Whatif I tear my pants?
Whatif I never learn to dance?
Everything seems well, and then
the nighttime Whatifs strike again!
Shel Silverstein
This poem fits the characteristics that Silverstein is known by. Its fun rhythm and rhymes about everyday situations makes it a perfect signature poem of his. The repetition in this poem really shows how the mind can run wild at night, going through many thoughts rapidly. This poem is very relatable to pretty much anyone. Everybody has those times when they just lie in bed thinking about life, and sometimes things that are completely obsurd. This poem captures those thoughts by offering realistic ideas that may shoot through peoples' heads to more farfetched ideas that are unique to each individual. This poem shows how people can be self-conscious when they have time to think. The ending of this poem is that brief moment when sleep is almost upon you, then you are suddenly hit by another thought that keeps you going on to new thoughts. It is a process that is tiring and sometimes frustrating, but at the same time entertaining. Silverstein captures all of this in the poem by using his repetition and unique ideas.
One thing useful from this poem is how is runs through the actual stages of a real event. The poem goes from unrest to a brief moment of rest, just like at night-time your mind can go from thought after thought to suddenly slowing down and being ready to sleep. The idea of portraying the real time events in the same order as in your poem helps it make more sense and adds effect. This process can be used for any type of poem, from school to seasons to the development of your life. This process also helps set up your poems by helping you know an obvious starting point and a logical ending point. The sequence this poem follows is obvious and really portrays the chaos that happens when your mind runs wild at night. Using a technique like this could be an effective way to add more feeling to your poems and help readers easily relate to them.
Last night, while I lay thinking here,
some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
and pranced and partied all night long
and sang their same old Whatif song:
Whatif I'm dumb in school?
Whatif they've closed the swimming pool?
Whatif I get beat up?
Whatif there's poison in my cup?
Whatif I start to cry?
Whatif I get sick and die?
Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
Whatif nobody likes me?
Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me?
Whatif I don't grow taller?
Whatif my head starts getting smaller?
Whatif the fish won't bite?
Whatif the wind tears up my kite?
Whatif they start a war?
Whatif my parents get divorced?
Whatif the bus is late?
Whatif my teeth don't grow in straight?
Whatif I tear my pants?
Whatif I never learn to dance?
Everything seems well, and then
the nighttime Whatifs strike again!
Shel Silverstein
This poem fits the characteristics that Silverstein is known by. Its fun rhythm and rhymes about everyday situations makes it a perfect signature poem of his. The repetition in this poem really shows how the mind can run wild at night, going through many thoughts rapidly. This poem is very relatable to pretty much anyone. Everybody has those times when they just lie in bed thinking about life, and sometimes things that are completely obsurd. This poem captures those thoughts by offering realistic ideas that may shoot through peoples' heads to more farfetched ideas that are unique to each individual. This poem shows how people can be self-conscious when they have time to think. The ending of this poem is that brief moment when sleep is almost upon you, then you are suddenly hit by another thought that keeps you going on to new thoughts. It is a process that is tiring and sometimes frustrating, but at the same time entertaining. Silverstein captures all of this in the poem by using his repetition and unique ideas.
One thing useful from this poem is how is runs through the actual stages of a real event. The poem goes from unrest to a brief moment of rest, just like at night-time your mind can go from thought after thought to suddenly slowing down and being ready to sleep. The idea of portraying the real time events in the same order as in your poem helps it make more sense and adds effect. This process can be used for any type of poem, from school to seasons to the development of your life. This process also helps set up your poems by helping you know an obvious starting point and a logical ending point. The sequence this poem follows is obvious and really portrays the chaos that happens when your mind runs wild at night. Using a technique like this could be an effective way to add more feeling to your poems and help readers easily relate to them.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Fire and Ice
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
This poem seems very unique. It speaks of destruction of the Earth in a very calm manner. Actually, Robert Frost doesn't just keep his cool when writing, but he goes to suggest that he would prefer to be destroyed by fire over ice. I am curious as to what inspired him to write this poem. It is a laid back poem about a dire situation. Frost's style really shines through in this one showing that he is not caught up in how he is going to leave this world, he simply accepts the fact that he will go in some fasion and it truly doesn't matter to him.
I think the most important thing that can be taken from this poem is the style that Robert Frost shows. His style seems more like what you would see in a poem about daily activities that are somewhat comical. This event is a pretty big thing and he writes in a way that comes across as laid back or even unphased by the end of the earth. This style can be effective because it gives the reader a curve ball. It makes them curious and interested in your writing and your topic and how you could keep controlled and stay nonchalant about it. The contrast of two destructions, for Frost, comes across as if it is just a decision as to whether he wants his pizza microwaved or straight from the fridge. His style in this poem effective and powerful, and can be used to make different works have a unique edge and come across as meaningful.
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
This poem seems very unique. It speaks of destruction of the Earth in a very calm manner. Actually, Robert Frost doesn't just keep his cool when writing, but he goes to suggest that he would prefer to be destroyed by fire over ice. I am curious as to what inspired him to write this poem. It is a laid back poem about a dire situation. Frost's style really shines through in this one showing that he is not caught up in how he is going to leave this world, he simply accepts the fact that he will go in some fasion and it truly doesn't matter to him.
I think the most important thing that can be taken from this poem is the style that Robert Frost shows. His style seems more like what you would see in a poem about daily activities that are somewhat comical. This event is a pretty big thing and he writes in a way that comes across as laid back or even unphased by the end of the earth. This style can be effective because it gives the reader a curve ball. It makes them curious and interested in your writing and your topic and how you could keep controlled and stay nonchalant about it. The contrast of two destructions, for Frost, comes across as if it is just a decision as to whether he wants his pizza microwaved or straight from the fridge. His style in this poem effective and powerful, and can be used to make different works have a unique edge and come across as meaningful.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Chapter 22
In this Chapter Foster talks about blind people and how they generally have a better view of the world then the main character. It is the blind person that shows the main character the proper ways, or sheds true light on whatever subject. At first I thought of blind main characters like Daredevil and the guy from "The Book of Eli" but then I realized how it talked about a side character being blind. The first thing that came to my head was the play "Antigone". Tiresias is the blind guy in this play like mentioned in the chapter, but he is the only one that sees what is the truth and what will actually happen. Introducing a blind man into a play adds irony automatically because it is almost guaranteed that the blind person will be more aware then those that can actually see what is going on. One of the main purposes for making somebody blind is to highlight the ignorance around that man. If a blind man can see the world for what it actually is then why can't a person who has vision? Writers use the blind characters to help make their points clearer and to help point out flaws with regular humans that don't suffer such handicaps.
Chapter 21
For this chapter I refer to Harry Potter book/movie.
In this Chapter Foster reveals how characters that are marked with some unusual physical characteristic are marked for greatness. Some of the first things that came to my mind when responding to this chapter were Forest Gump and Nemo. Those, of course, are movies so I decided to actually choose a book that I had read: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Harry's mark on his forehead represents many things of his past, and what he will become in the future. Everyone knows Lord Voldemort came to the Potter house, murdered his family and tried to kill Harry but could not succeed. What was left of Voldemort's attemp was a zig-zag scar or Harry's forehead. This scar represents his tragic past, the power that is within him, and the dificult road he has ahead of him. You may ask how is this a mark of greatness? Well it is because of all the reasons for what the scar represents. The fact that one of the most powerful wizards known could not but leave a scar on an infant's forehead automatically sets Harry up for stardom. The reason why Voldemort couldn't hurt him though is even more important: the fact that Harry has so much magic potential in him that made him able to resists spells. This just shows that if he takes the proper path and listens to guidance he will inevitably be a great wizard. Finally the scar represents the path ahead of him because he knows Voldemort is still out there and able to get him. The scar is a mark of greatness in so many different ways, and really exemplifies the thoughts of the chapter almost perfectly.
In this Chapter Foster reveals how characters that are marked with some unusual physical characteristic are marked for greatness. Some of the first things that came to my mind when responding to this chapter were Forest Gump and Nemo. Those, of course, are movies so I decided to actually choose a book that I had read: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Harry's mark on his forehead represents many things of his past, and what he will become in the future. Everyone knows Lord Voldemort came to the Potter house, murdered his family and tried to kill Harry but could not succeed. What was left of Voldemort's attemp was a zig-zag scar or Harry's forehead. This scar represents his tragic past, the power that is within him, and the dificult road he has ahead of him. You may ask how is this a mark of greatness? Well it is because of all the reasons for what the scar represents. The fact that one of the most powerful wizards known could not but leave a scar on an infant's forehead automatically sets Harry up for stardom. The reason why Voldemort couldn't hurt him though is even more important: the fact that Harry has so much magic potential in him that made him able to resists spells. This just shows that if he takes the proper path and listens to guidance he will inevitably be a great wizard. Finally the scar represents the path ahead of him because he knows Voldemort is still out there and able to get him. The scar is a mark of greatness in so many different ways, and really exemplifies the thoughts of the chapter almost perfectly.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Chapter 26
For this I read the "The Unknown Citizen"
This poem was definitely not my favorite I have ever read. I also did not find anything super ironic about it, but I'm taking a stab in hopes to become a better AP student. After reading this, I find it ironic that a poem would be written about an average old joe like the guy the narrator is describing. Then I go on to and remember the "Bureau of Statistics were in on every detail of this man's life. It is weird that they would want to know so much about a guy who is just like everyone else in the world. Then it goes to talk about he had five children, which Eugenists say is a normal amount of kids. I actually have never heard of a Eugenist, but to have one giving advise about this average guy being talked about seems like it would cost money to get his opinion. In general, to be researching every detail of this man's life is just ironic. He has done no heroics, nothing spectacular, nothing outgoing, yet he is still under the microscope. For him to be called the "unknown man" is the biggest irony of the poem because infact everything is known about him except his name. All things this man has done are known, but his name is left a mystery, which of course is a great example of irony
This poem was definitely not my favorite I have ever read. I also did not find anything super ironic about it, but I'm taking a stab in hopes to become a better AP student. After reading this, I find it ironic that a poem would be written about an average old joe like the guy the narrator is describing. Then I go on to and remember the "Bureau of Statistics were in on every detail of this man's life. It is weird that they would want to know so much about a guy who is just like everyone else in the world. Then it goes to talk about he had five children, which Eugenists say is a normal amount of kids. I actually have never heard of a Eugenist, but to have one giving advise about this average guy being talked about seems like it would cost money to get his opinion. In general, to be researching every detail of this man's life is just ironic. He has done no heroics, nothing spectacular, nothing outgoing, yet he is still under the microscope. For him to be called the "unknown man" is the biggest irony of the poem because infact everything is known about him except his name. All things this man has done are known, but his name is left a mystery, which of course is a great example of irony
Chapter 19
I'll refer to The Scarlet Letter for this one.
In chapter 19 Foster describes the importance that geography has in literature. While I was reading this chapter I was thinking about what books I have read that stand true to what he is saying. The first book I thought of right off the top of my head was The Scarlet Letter. In this book all the settings help build not just the imagery, but the plot, mood, and charaterization of each indvidual. The dreary town in Massachusetts is describe in the very opening, and the buildings and everything around the town that set the book off in the right direction by making it seem so bland. The rose described outside the courthouse or jailhouse (or whatever it was) is part of the geography as well, which shows a sign of hope and beauty when all else looks bad. The Massachusetts setting is very important to remember in this story because in that time period those people were very stuck to their ways and none of this could have taken place anywhere else. It was the Northeast that was very superstitious, religious, and paranoid. It is important to remember geography is not just setting, but can be symbollic. In The Scarlet Letter alot takes place in a forest. This forest isn't imporant only because it is outside of the town and provides Hester protection, but this forest represents the evil of the blackman, the seldomness Hester faces, the self providingness that Hester has learned. Just like a forest she is on her own. This novel's geography is very vital in setting up the book how it is, and in like many stories it would not be the same without its geography.
In chapter 19 Foster describes the importance that geography has in literature. While I was reading this chapter I was thinking about what books I have read that stand true to what he is saying. The first book I thought of right off the top of my head was The Scarlet Letter. In this book all the settings help build not just the imagery, but the plot, mood, and charaterization of each indvidual. The dreary town in Massachusetts is describe in the very opening, and the buildings and everything around the town that set the book off in the right direction by making it seem so bland. The rose described outside the courthouse or jailhouse (or whatever it was) is part of the geography as well, which shows a sign of hope and beauty when all else looks bad. The Massachusetts setting is very important to remember in this story because in that time period those people were very stuck to their ways and none of this could have taken place anywhere else. It was the Northeast that was very superstitious, religious, and paranoid. It is important to remember geography is not just setting, but can be symbollic. In The Scarlet Letter alot takes place in a forest. This forest isn't imporant only because it is outside of the town and provides Hester protection, but this forest represents the evil of the blackman, the seldomness Hester faces, the self providingness that Hester has learned. Just like a forest she is on her own. This novel's geography is very vital in setting up the book how it is, and in like many stories it would not be the same without its geography.
Chapter 15
"It's really pretty straightforward: flight is freedom. It doesn't always work out that way, but the basic principle is pretty sound. Angela Carter's Nights at the Circus offers a comparative rarity, a fictional character who actually possesses wings. Carter's heroine, Fevvers, is a woman whose flying act has made her the toast of circuses a music halls across Europe. It also set her apart. She is not like other people, cannot comfortably fit into normal human life." (Page 128)
In this chapter Foster makes to major assertions. The first is that the ability to fly is the ability to be free. Then he goes on to say how Fevvers is indeed not free because society has trapped her to abuse her abilities for entertainment. I think there may be a deeper message in all of these. It's that she has the ability to be free, but society reigns her in and makes her do what they want. I think you could relate this to individual citizens and their government. Each individual has an opportunity to be free, but they must follow the rules of the government or suffer the consequences such as jail. It's an irony that Foster mentions, flight means freedom, but this freedom is usually limited. A perfect example of this is Peter Pan. He is an orphan that feels trapped in the orphanage but gains the ability to fly and thus gains freedom. This freedom is also abused sometimes like mentioned with Icarus. This represents the freedom people want, but abuse it or those that do not appreciate it. Why people are like that is unable to be answered. But for literary uses, flight or the ability to fly work very effectively in displaying the freedom that is involved with flight and the restrictions as well.
In this chapter Foster makes to major assertions. The first is that the ability to fly is the ability to be free. Then he goes on to say how Fevvers is indeed not free because society has trapped her to abuse her abilities for entertainment. I think there may be a deeper message in all of these. It's that she has the ability to be free, but society reigns her in and makes her do what they want. I think you could relate this to individual citizens and their government. Each individual has an opportunity to be free, but they must follow the rules of the government or suffer the consequences such as jail. It's an irony that Foster mentions, flight means freedom, but this freedom is usually limited. A perfect example of this is Peter Pan. He is an orphan that feels trapped in the orphanage but gains the ability to fly and thus gains freedom. This freedom is also abused sometimes like mentioned with Icarus. This represents the freedom people want, but abuse it or those that do not appreciate it. Why people are like that is unable to be answered. But for literary uses, flight or the ability to fly work very effectively in displaying the freedom that is involved with flight and the restrictions as well.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Chapter 16
"There's an ugly rumor circulating that english porfessors have dirty minds. It's not true, of course. We're no more dirty-minded than society at large, although that may not be of any great comfort. Well, let me assure you that english professors are not innately prurient. It's just that they can recognize the sexual intentions of writers, who may well have dirty minds." (Page 135)
In this chapter Foster suggests that sex is a big part of literature and is hiden within all sorts of works. This idea is a little farfetched to me, but maybe the next chapter will clarify. I can somewhat understand what Foster is saying about sex being encoded in literature at some times, but to say "it's all about sex" is just outrageous. I do get that it would be a little graphic and inappropriate to write certain things in books, or even show them in movies, so writers use other scenes to portray these actions. I don't read much literature but I definitely see it in movies or tv shows all to often. The last little section in the chapter about bowls and keys representing sex is pretty weird and I don't quite get how people could conclude that it does. Anyhow, maybe I'll follow this up with another blog after I read the next chapter entitled "unless it's not".
In this chapter Foster suggests that sex is a big part of literature and is hiden within all sorts of works. This idea is a little farfetched to me, but maybe the next chapter will clarify. I can somewhat understand what Foster is saying about sex being encoded in literature at some times, but to say "it's all about sex" is just outrageous. I do get that it would be a little graphic and inappropriate to write certain things in books, or even show them in movies, so writers use other scenes to portray these actions. I don't read much literature but I definitely see it in movies or tv shows all to often. The last little section in the chapter about bowls and keys representing sex is pretty weird and I don't quite get how people could conclude that it does. Anyhow, maybe I'll follow this up with another blog after I read the next chapter entitled "unless it's not".
Chapter 13
"So is every literary work political? I can't go that far. Some of my more political colleagues may tell you yes, that every work is either part of the social problem or part of the solution. I do think, though, that most works must engage with their own specific period in ways that can be called political." (Page 115)
In this chapter Foster makes it clear that he believes politics influence a major portion of all literature, and I have to agree with that. He talks about how writers generally write about the world around them and much of the stuff going on around them is a part of politics. So whatever the writer is inspired by to write about more chances than not it will be influenced by politics. Sometimes the writer may be writing to simply state their views on a possible solution to fix something in society that they feel does not work. Others may write because they feel there are problems in society that are not well known or understood so writing a novel could help spread the word about the issue. Using works of literature can be a very effective way of persuading or influencing an audience without them even knowing it. When a reader is reading, they generally connect with the main character. If this main character were to be in poverty or whatever it may be, the reader would be more apt to feel sympathy towards that type of person, even if they're fictional, because they get to see every detail about that person's hardships. This is a manipulative way that writers use that can broaden their audiences political views to that of the writers. In the end, it is safe to say that writers are motivated by the world around them, and since the world around them is governed by politics there will likely be a politcal aspect to the literary work.
In this chapter Foster makes it clear that he believes politics influence a major portion of all literature, and I have to agree with that. He talks about how writers generally write about the world around them and much of the stuff going on around them is a part of politics. So whatever the writer is inspired by to write about more chances than not it will be influenced by politics. Sometimes the writer may be writing to simply state their views on a possible solution to fix something in society that they feel does not work. Others may write because they feel there are problems in society that are not well known or understood so writing a novel could help spread the word about the issue. Using works of literature can be a very effective way of persuading or influencing an audience without them even knowing it. When a reader is reading, they generally connect with the main character. If this main character were to be in poverty or whatever it may be, the reader would be more apt to feel sympathy towards that type of person, even if they're fictional, because they get to see every detail about that person's hardships. This is a manipulative way that writers use that can broaden their audiences political views to that of the writers. In the end, it is safe to say that writers are motivated by the world around them, and since the world around them is governed by politics there will likely be a politcal aspect to the literary work.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Chapter 12
For this chapter I read "Digging" by Seamus Heaney. (Mainly because I was already familiar with it because of Ms. Short's class)
The symbols are evident in the poem "Digging", well actually I suppose anything could be a symbol after reading this chapter, and any symbol could have any meaning, but there are a few that stand out in this poem. With a name like Seamus Heaney it is very safe to assume the writer is Irish if you have no prior knowledge of him. Also the details in the story fit that of the Irish life style. Having established that we're talking about an Irish family, the symbols can be narrowed down in their meaning now. First of what sticks out most is the "squat pen" mentioned in the second line. The pen represents the life style Seamus Heaney has chosen for himself. His ancestors have mastered the spade, however Seamus Heaney changes paths and seeks to master the pen, or writing. This pen doesn't only represent his style of life chosen, it represents the power of choice and the ability to chose what fits for each individual. The spade and pen may be different chosen life styles the father and son picked up, but there is similarity in this poem. Line 14 mentions how "we love" the feeling of potatoes in their hands. Both father and son enjoy something that one works to harvest, which makes me assume that both father and son can enjoy poems, or literature. This line, or simply just the potato, symbolizes the togetherness of bloodlines and how each generation may vary they always have some common ground they can go back to. Finally, the last line, one word in particular: Dig, sticks out and symbolizes the work that is being chosen. Heaney says "Between my finger and my thumb the squat pen rests. I'll dig with it." Obviously he won't dig with it, but this serves as a metaphor that shows the symbolic meaning of the word dig and how it just symbolizes any profession any general whether it be writing or digging or anything. Any interpretation can be taking from any writing, and what I learned is that symbols are unique to the reader, and these are what struck me as symbols in the poem.
The symbols are evident in the poem "Digging", well actually I suppose anything could be a symbol after reading this chapter, and any symbol could have any meaning, but there are a few that stand out in this poem. With a name like Seamus Heaney it is very safe to assume the writer is Irish if you have no prior knowledge of him. Also the details in the story fit that of the Irish life style. Having established that we're talking about an Irish family, the symbols can be narrowed down in their meaning now. First of what sticks out most is the "squat pen" mentioned in the second line. The pen represents the life style Seamus Heaney has chosen for himself. His ancestors have mastered the spade, however Seamus Heaney changes paths and seeks to master the pen, or writing. This pen doesn't only represent his style of life chosen, it represents the power of choice and the ability to chose what fits for each individual. The spade and pen may be different chosen life styles the father and son picked up, but there is similarity in this poem. Line 14 mentions how "we love" the feeling of potatoes in their hands. Both father and son enjoy something that one works to harvest, which makes me assume that both father and son can enjoy poems, or literature. This line, or simply just the potato, symbolizes the togetherness of bloodlines and how each generation may vary they always have some common ground they can go back to. Finally, the last line, one word in particular: Dig, sticks out and symbolizes the work that is being chosen. Heaney says "Between my finger and my thumb the squat pen rests. I'll dig with it." Obviously he won't dig with it, but this serves as a metaphor that shows the symbolic meaning of the word dig and how it just symbolizes any profession any general whether it be writing or digging or anything. Any interpretation can be taking from any writing, and what I learned is that symbols are unique to the reader, and these are what struck me as symbols in the poem.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Chapter 10
For this one I will be referring to one of my all time favs: Holes by Louis Sachar.
Rain can mean destruction, flooding and fear, as mentioned in chapter 10. But rain can also be a very uplifting element of nature too. If you are familiar with the great novel Holes, then you already know what part I am about to mention. When Stanley and Zero finally find their way back to the camp with their treasure chest and are about to head home, a sudden downpour starts, which was very unsuspected at Camp Green Lake. All the boys there rejoice and celebrate this stroke of good fortune. This rain is very symbolic, as mentioned in chapter 10. The two boys, Stanley and Zero have been lost for many days, and the rain does serve as a cleanser, and refresher, almost as if everything is starting over again. The Yelnats family's streak of bad luck has ended since the curse broke, Hector (Zero) is finally where he belongs, and the Yelnats family is wealthy and is assumed to live happily ever after. But it is the rain that starts this trend of good fortune, and don't forget, Green Lake has been in a drought for a very long time. In fact, this rain is almost symbolic to spring because a new life is begining for the main characters. In this story there are no actually rainbows that come from the rain, but there are figurative rainbows such as the reuniting of Hector and his mother and the end of the Yelnats' bad luck. This all, of course, happens immediately following the downpoor of rain. Holes is a perfect example of how rain represents more than just weather, but in fact can change the whole mood and outcome of a story, sometimes for worse, but in this case for the better.
Rain can mean destruction, flooding and fear, as mentioned in chapter 10. But rain can also be a very uplifting element of nature too. If you are familiar with the great novel Holes, then you already know what part I am about to mention. When Stanley and Zero finally find their way back to the camp with their treasure chest and are about to head home, a sudden downpour starts, which was very unsuspected at Camp Green Lake. All the boys there rejoice and celebrate this stroke of good fortune. This rain is very symbolic, as mentioned in chapter 10. The two boys, Stanley and Zero have been lost for many days, and the rain does serve as a cleanser, and refresher, almost as if everything is starting over again. The Yelnats family's streak of bad luck has ended since the curse broke, Hector (Zero) is finally where he belongs, and the Yelnats family is wealthy and is assumed to live happily ever after. But it is the rain that starts this trend of good fortune, and don't forget, Green Lake has been in a drought for a very long time. In fact, this rain is almost symbolic to spring because a new life is begining for the main characters. In this story there are no actually rainbows that come from the rain, but there are figurative rainbows such as the reuniting of Hector and his mother and the end of the Yelnats' bad luck. This all, of course, happens immediately following the downpoor of rain. Holes is a perfect example of how rain represents more than just weather, but in fact can change the whole mood and outcome of a story, sometimes for worse, but in this case for the better.
Chapter 9
For this chapter I read "Musée des Beaux Arts" by W. H. Auden and related it to the chapter.
In this poem, the connection to Greek myth is no secret. The stance is not so dramatic, but explains the almost habitual responses of those around who witness such an unusual occurance. Auden's makes a point in this poem that things that do not effect you do not require a need for your attention, which I somewhat disagree with. Or it could be interpretted as those that do not follow direction deserve no pity, which I do somewhat agree with. The onlookers could not have known that Icarus did not follow directions, leading me to conclude that they are heartless and selfish people. The purpose of the myth is to explain what science cannot, but in this case there are two things that could cause need for a myth: first of is why Icarus did not follow directions; second is why the people would be so unphased by this tragedy. As a reader we have no prior knowledge if the spectators had regularly seen occurances like this or not, thus leaving many questions unanswered. However science cannot answer either of these unanswered questions, thus leading to the creation of this myth. A myth is something that matters to some community, but I think this myth matters more to those not in the community because outsiders can see how little people at the site of Icarus' crash cared about his well being. Unless this is one of those misleading myths like Song of Solomon then I feel pretty sure all the things in here refer to Icarus, also because there was a picture to go along with the poem.
In this poem, the connection to Greek myth is no secret. The stance is not so dramatic, but explains the almost habitual responses of those around who witness such an unusual occurance. Auden's makes a point in this poem that things that do not effect you do not require a need for your attention, which I somewhat disagree with. Or it could be interpretted as those that do not follow direction deserve no pity, which I do somewhat agree with. The onlookers could not have known that Icarus did not follow directions, leading me to conclude that they are heartless and selfish people. The purpose of the myth is to explain what science cannot, but in this case there are two things that could cause need for a myth: first of is why Icarus did not follow directions; second is why the people would be so unphased by this tragedy. As a reader we have no prior knowledge if the spectators had regularly seen occurances like this or not, thus leaving many questions unanswered. However science cannot answer either of these unanswered questions, thus leading to the creation of this myth. A myth is something that matters to some community, but I think this myth matters more to those not in the community because outsiders can see how little people at the site of Icarus' crash cared about his well being. Unless this is one of those misleading myths like Song of Solomon then I feel pretty sure all the things in here refer to Icarus, also because there was a picture to go along with the poem.
Chapter 4
For this chapter I read sonnet 3 from Shakespeare and I will try to apply it to the chapter.
For starters, when I first looked at sonnet 3, it is in the shape of a square, making the title of the chapter totally appropriate. After the initial reading, I went back and did some of the things mentioned in the chapter to recognize a sonnet. I went and counted the syllables in a few of the lines, and sure enough they each came out around ten syllables each. I had already noticed a rhyme pattern but when I went over it again it was evident it was ABAB CDCD EFEF EE. Or atleast thats what I think it is. After reading this chapter I was certainly no expert on sonnets, but I did notice there are five sentences in sonnet 3. The chapter described sentences as breaking a sonnet into sections, so it can be assumed Shakespeare is breaking his sonnet into sections. The first sentence can be thought of as an initial assertion he is making, the next 2 sentences are sort of like inquiries, while the final 2 sentences are consequences and conclusions. Like the chapter says, a sonnet obviously will not be an epic tale, but and can have an effective or meaningful message in just the 14 lines. In this sonnet Shakepeare isn't really giving a message as much as just stating that if you want your genes to live on you must reproduce, or else "thine image dies with thee". It is an effective poem but I am not sure why he wrote it, unless he was worried about his own image not living on if he were to not have children. This sonnet, like I imagine any other, can easily be used and applied to this chapter, and that is why I chose it and took a swing at trying to apply what I learned from reading chapter 4 to it.
For starters, when I first looked at sonnet 3, it is in the shape of a square, making the title of the chapter totally appropriate. After the initial reading, I went back and did some of the things mentioned in the chapter to recognize a sonnet. I went and counted the syllables in a few of the lines, and sure enough they each came out around ten syllables each. I had already noticed a rhyme pattern but when I went over it again it was evident it was ABAB CDCD EFEF EE. Or atleast thats what I think it is. After reading this chapter I was certainly no expert on sonnets, but I did notice there are five sentences in sonnet 3. The chapter described sentences as breaking a sonnet into sections, so it can be assumed Shakespeare is breaking his sonnet into sections. The first sentence can be thought of as an initial assertion he is making, the next 2 sentences are sort of like inquiries, while the final 2 sentences are consequences and conclusions. Like the chapter says, a sonnet obviously will not be an epic tale, but and can have an effective or meaningful message in just the 14 lines. In this sonnet Shakepeare isn't really giving a message as much as just stating that if you want your genes to live on you must reproduce, or else "thine image dies with thee". It is an effective poem but I am not sure why he wrote it, unless he was worried about his own image not living on if he were to not have children. This sonnet, like I imagine any other, can easily be used and applied to this chapter, and that is why I chose it and took a swing at trying to apply what I learned from reading chapter 4 to it.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Chapter 8
For this chapter I read Once Upon a Time by Nadine Gordimer to go along with it. I thought this story was very weird but I will try my best to work with it. I'm actually not even positive I read the write thing because I wasn't sure how to access it; I just went to google and tried to find it. I hope this post isn't totaly a waste.
In Once Upon a Time the family has a wife, husband, and son. In Hansel and Gretel I think it is just two orphans that were hated by their stepmom or somebody like that. I don't exactly see how this story relates to H&G but then again I am not too familiar with it. The house in Once Upon a Time could represent the Gingerbread house, because it is what people are attracted to, especially robbers and people in riots. The grandmother being a witch did not exactly make sense, except I can draw that she somewhat is the reason for why the boy got himself tangled in the razor fence; similiar to what the witch in H&G did tangling the children up in the forest and her home. The forest in Once Upon a Time is the suburban life. The husband and wife get lost in the ways of the suburban life and worry to much about their property being safe than their offspring being safe. It is hard to draw all the connections in this story, but I'm sure if I was more familiar with H&G I could. What I was most surprised by is that there was nothing in Once Upon a Time that represented the trail of bread crumbs.
In Once Upon a Time the family has a wife, husband, and son. In Hansel and Gretel I think it is just two orphans that were hated by their stepmom or somebody like that. I don't exactly see how this story relates to H&G but then again I am not too familiar with it. The house in Once Upon a Time could represent the Gingerbread house, because it is what people are attracted to, especially robbers and people in riots. The grandmother being a witch did not exactly make sense, except I can draw that she somewhat is the reason for why the boy got himself tangled in the razor fence; similiar to what the witch in H&G did tangling the children up in the forest and her home. The forest in Once Upon a Time is the suburban life. The husband and wife get lost in the ways of the suburban life and worry to much about their property being safe than their offspring being safe. It is hard to draw all the connections in this story, but I'm sure if I was more familiar with H&G I could. What I was most surprised by is that there was nothing in Once Upon a Time that represented the trail of bread crumbs.
Chapter 7 (and 6ish)
"Connect these dots: garden, serpent, plagues, flood, parting of waters, loaves, fishes, forty days, betrayal, denial, slavery and escape, fatted calves, milk and honey. Ever read a book with all these things in them? Gues what? So have your writers." (Page 47)
In this passage, it is evident what Foster is speaking of: The Bible. This opening paragraph states the whole idea of the chapter that Biblical allusions are not a scarcity in literature, and writers are always using them. Foster believes that these allusions are bound to be in writing as long as so many writers are religious people He does go on to list many writers and their associations to the Bible. In the previous chapter, the topic is different but the approach is the same. Foster makes it known that it is no hidden secret that many if not all famous writers have read Shakespeare, thus making allusions to his work very prevalent in famous works. The main point of both of these chapters is that Shakespeare and the Bible both have their fair share of influence on the world of literature, and if you are in doubt on what your texts is reffering to, you should always think Shakespeare or the Bible first. For me the biblical allusions are easier to spot out because I am more familiar with the bible than I am with any of Shakespeare's stuff, but after reading this chapter I could safely assume Shakepeare influences alot of what I will read this year.
In this passage, it is evident what Foster is speaking of: The Bible. This opening paragraph states the whole idea of the chapter that Biblical allusions are not a scarcity in literature, and writers are always using them. Foster believes that these allusions are bound to be in writing as long as so many writers are religious people He does go on to list many writers and their associations to the Bible. In the previous chapter, the topic is different but the approach is the same. Foster makes it known that it is no hidden secret that many if not all famous writers have read Shakespeare, thus making allusions to his work very prevalent in famous works. The main point of both of these chapters is that Shakespeare and the Bible both have their fair share of influence on the world of literature, and if you are in doubt on what your texts is reffering to, you should always think Shakespeare or the Bible first. For me the biblical allusions are easier to spot out because I am more familiar with the bible than I am with any of Shakespeare's stuff, but after reading this chapter I could safely assume Shakepeare influences alot of what I will read this year.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Chapter 5
"Literature, as the great Canadian critic Northrop Frye observed, grows out of other literature; we should not be surprised to find, then that is also looks like other literature. As you read, it may pay to remember this: there's no such thing as a wholly original work of literature. Once you know that you can go looking for old friends and asking the attendant question: 'now where have I seen her before?'". (Page 29)
This chapter of the book, specifically this passage has been the most interesting so far. I have found my self before pondering about plots of books and movies and realizing, when you pick them apart they are all essentially the same thing. It's hard to grasp this concept though, even after pondering it, and I still have doubt after reading this chapter. But Foster reasserts what others have said, that all literature is really a compilation of everything before hand, and really "there's only one story" (Page 32).This goes back to the first chapter, which it states the components of a quest, and we can safely assume if all literature is really the same story, then all works involve some sort of quest, thus leading me to conclude that all works have the components a quest needs, which means all works are made on the same framework that all other literature is made on. So all stories have a knight, a villian, a grail, ect. which makes them the same story really, just with different details. When I first thought about this I compared The Pearl and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time. Both these stories have a character that is overwhelmed in an unfamiliar setting. In The Pearl he is constantly being deceived by the city dwellers while in Curious Incident, Christopher Boone faces troubles dealing with the city bustle and noise. Both characters rise to the occasion, and in turn gain self-knowledge. This is just one example where the two stories are really the same, but the details are what make the books unique, but this can be seem in any two books when compared I am sure.
This chapter of the book, specifically this passage has been the most interesting so far. I have found my self before pondering about plots of books and movies and realizing, when you pick them apart they are all essentially the same thing. It's hard to grasp this concept though, even after pondering it, and I still have doubt after reading this chapter. But Foster reasserts what others have said, that all literature is really a compilation of everything before hand, and really "there's only one story" (Page 32).This goes back to the first chapter, which it states the components of a quest, and we can safely assume if all literature is really the same story, then all works involve some sort of quest, thus leading me to conclude that all works have the components a quest needs, which means all works are made on the same framework that all other literature is made on. So all stories have a knight, a villian, a grail, ect. which makes them the same story really, just with different details. When I first thought about this I compared The Pearl and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time. Both these stories have a character that is overwhelmed in an unfamiliar setting. In The Pearl he is constantly being deceived by the city dwellers while in Curious Incident, Christopher Boone faces troubles dealing with the city bustle and noise. Both characters rise to the occasion, and in turn gain self-knowledge. This is just one example where the two stories are really the same, but the details are what make the books unique, but this can be seem in any two books when compared I am sure.
Chapter 3
"But it's also about things other than literal vampirism: selfishness, exploitation, a refusal to respect the autonomy of other people, just for starters. We'll return to this list a bit later on. This Principle also applies to other scary favorites, such as ghosts and doppelgangers (ghost doubles or evil twins). We can take it almost as an act of faith that ghosts are about something besides themselves." (Page 16-17)
In this passage, Foster states his main topic of discussion for this chapter. He claims that in valuable literary works the ghosts and vampires have a deeper purpose than just spooking the readers; but they play a role of exploiting the evils of life, such as "selfishness" and "refusal to respect the autonomy of other people". The ghosts and vampires can exploit weakness and help the main charcter such as in A Christmas Carol, or they can ruin the main character such as in The Scarlet Letter. In The Scarlet Letter there was no actual ghost or vampire, but Roger Chillingworth is as close to one as a man can be do to his monstrous ways. He exploits the weakness that Hester bares and tries to ruin her and her lover, thus making him a vampire because he acts out for his own behalf, also known as selfishness. What Foster is saying is that characters in these books can learn valuable lesson from these evil characters, even though it may seem as if they are a threat to the main character. These vampires and ghosts are generally what end up making the character who they are by the end of the story because they either gained a valuable lesson by something taught to them from the ghost, or because they defeated this vampire and ended the evil it was spreading, thus giving them a sense of self-acomplishment.
In this passage, Foster states his main topic of discussion for this chapter. He claims that in valuable literary works the ghosts and vampires have a deeper purpose than just spooking the readers; but they play a role of exploiting the evils of life, such as "selfishness" and "refusal to respect the autonomy of other people". The ghosts and vampires can exploit weakness and help the main charcter such as in A Christmas Carol, or they can ruin the main character such as in The Scarlet Letter. In The Scarlet Letter there was no actual ghost or vampire, but Roger Chillingworth is as close to one as a man can be do to his monstrous ways. He exploits the weakness that Hester bares and tries to ruin her and her lover, thus making him a vampire because he acts out for his own behalf, also known as selfishness. What Foster is saying is that characters in these books can learn valuable lesson from these evil characters, even though it may seem as if they are a threat to the main character. These vampires and ghosts are generally what end up making the character who they are by the end of the story because they either gained a valuable lesson by something taught to them from the ghost, or because they defeated this vampire and ended the evil it was spreading, thus giving them a sense of self-acomplishment.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Chapter 1
"The real reason for a quest is always self-knowledge. That's why questers are so often young, inexperienced, immature, sheltered. Forty-five-year old men either have self-knowledge or they're never gooing to get it, while your average sixteen-to-seventeen-year-old kid is likely to have a long way to go in the self-knowledge department." (Page 3)
This passage sums up the overall idea Foster is trying to state. Generally when you read book you find that the main character is lacking something which generally they gain towards the end of the book. As the title states "Everything Trip is a Quest" brings attention to readers that even a seemingly trivial task can be of utmost importance towards the well rounding of the main character. This is probably overseen all too often, but even in real life people grow from the small triumphs and defeats they may have faced. I remember when I was a tiger scout and I lost the pinewood derby. That is obviously a minuscule tragedy in retrospect, but I did learn a valuable lesson: It's better to lose on your own hard work than to achieve victory on the work of someone else, such as a dad. It may not seem like much but it is truly a lesson that I still remember and cherish to this day, and Foster is saying that small occurances like this one prove to actually be quests where much is discovered or learned. For me, I was the knight, the trophy was the grail, the winner of the race was the evil knight, the chosen path of making my derby car was the dangerous road, and in this quest there was no princess simply because girls had cooties back then. But my personal experience holds nearly all the components that Foster mentions, which is why I, and most people should be able to relate this chapter directly to their own lives.
The one thing however I did question about this chapter is the last sentence of this quote. If 45 year old did not need self knowledge, or would never aquire it, why would they read books about kids that were gaining self knowledge? I think no matter how old and wise you are, you can always grow ontop of who you already are. Other than this off beat sentence the rest was good.
This passage sums up the overall idea Foster is trying to state. Generally when you read book you find that the main character is lacking something which generally they gain towards the end of the book. As the title states "Everything Trip is a Quest" brings attention to readers that even a seemingly trivial task can be of utmost importance towards the well rounding of the main character. This is probably overseen all too often, but even in real life people grow from the small triumphs and defeats they may have faced. I remember when I was a tiger scout and I lost the pinewood derby. That is obviously a minuscule tragedy in retrospect, but I did learn a valuable lesson: It's better to lose on your own hard work than to achieve victory on the work of someone else, such as a dad. It may not seem like much but it is truly a lesson that I still remember and cherish to this day, and Foster is saying that small occurances like this one prove to actually be quests where much is discovered or learned. For me, I was the knight, the trophy was the grail, the winner of the race was the evil knight, the chosen path of making my derby car was the dangerous road, and in this quest there was no princess simply because girls had cooties back then. But my personal experience holds nearly all the components that Foster mentions, which is why I, and most people should be able to relate this chapter directly to their own lives.
The one thing however I did question about this chapter is the last sentence of this quote. If 45 year old did not need self knowledge, or would never aquire it, why would they read books about kids that were gaining self knowledge? I think no matter how old and wise you are, you can always grow ontop of who you already are. Other than this off beat sentence the rest was good.
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